Summary:
- Singapore has no statutory minimum wage for helpers. Pay is shaped by embassy salary floors, your helper’s experience, her job scope, and the contract both sides agree to.
- Fresh helper baselines in 2026 start at $550 (Indonesian), $500 (Myanmar), and $600 (Filipino). Experienced and transfer helpers will typically expect more.
- The salary declared on the Work Permit must be paid in full each month, within 7 days of the salary period ending.
- Beyond salary, budget for the levy, insurance, the $5,000 security bond, and everyday costs. As a rough guide, add 30% to 40% on top of basic pay.
- Pay by bank transfer, keep a signed monthly salary record, and plan a modest annual increment to support compliance and retention.
You have decided to hire a helper, and then comes the tricky part: working out a fair salary. The figures online can be confusing, with some starting at $500 and experienced helpers asking for up to $800. For first-time employers, it is not always clear what counts as fair.
The confusion usually comes down to one point: There is no minimum salary for maids in Singapore. Pay is shaped by source-country salary requirements, your helper’s experience, her job scope, and the contract both sides agree to.
Once you understand how these factors work together, choosing a salary becomes much easier. The goal is to set an amount that is fair to your helper, accepted under Ministry of Manpower (MOM) rules, and comfortable for your household over the long run.
Why Singapore Has No Statutory Minimum Maid Salary
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not set a minimum wage for migrant domestic workers. Instead, salary is shaped by market rates, the helper’s home country requirements, her experience, and the amount both parties agree to declare on the Work Permit application.
That declared salary should be treated as a firm commitment. Once it appears on the In-Principle Approval letter, the employer is legally required to pay that amount in full every month, no later than 7 days after the salary period ends.
No statutory minimum does not mean no safeguards. In practice, source-country embassies often set their own salary floors, and these figures are important to check before signing the contract.
What Does the Indonesian Embassy Require for Helper Salaries?
Source-country requirements often set the practical starting point for maid salaries in Singapore. For Indonesian helpers, the Indonesian Embassy sets the basic monthly salary for a fresh helper at $550. Experienced helpers, especially those who have worked in Singapore before, will usually expect a little more.
This baseline is applied through the embassy’s standard contract, so it is not optional. If the declared salary falls below it, your helper’s documents may not be processed, so it is easiest to treat the minimum as your starting point rather than a figure to go beneath.
Other source countries follow a similar approach:
- Indonesian Helpers: Minimum of $550 for fresh helpers, with more for experienced or ex-Singapore helpers.
- Filipino Helpers: Minimum of $600 per month.
- Myanmar Helpers: Starts from $500 for fresh candidates.
These figures can change from time to time, so it is always worth confirming the latest requirements with your agency before you sign the contract.
What Pay Floors Apply by Nationality and What to Expect
Nationality is a helpful reference, but it is only a starting point. Experience, language ability, care duties, and whether your helper has worked in Singapore before will all shape the final salary.
|
Nationality |
Fresh Helper |
Experienced |
|
Myanmar |
Starts from $500 |
Up to $800+ |
|
Indonesian |
Starts from $550 |
Up to $800+ |
|
Filipino |
Starts from $600 |
Up to $850 |
It can be tempting to focus on the lowest entry point when comparing salaries on paper. It is kinder to both of you, though, to weigh that figure against the time you may spend on language support, training, and helping her settle in, especially if she is new or has limited experience.
A transfer helper who already understands Singapore households and routines will usually expect a higher salary than a fresh helper. This is often fair value, as it tends to mean a shorter adjustment period and a smoother start for your family.
What to Check in Your Helper’s Contract Before You Sign
The salary figure is only one part of the contract. Before you sign, take a little time to go through the finer details together:
- Rest days, and how any off-day work is compensated
- Permitted salary deductions
- The fixed salary payment date
- Any agreed annual increments
These points are far easier to settle now, calmly and together, than after a misunderstanding has come up.
It is worth double-checking that the salary on the Work Permit matches what is in the embassy contract. Any mismatch can delay the In-Principle Approval and slow down the whole hiring process.
It also helps to write down any annual increment expectations from the start. This makes future salary reviews much smoother, and it means both you and your helper know exactly what to expect.
Salary compliance and paperwork piling up while you are already stretched? Let us guide you through the paperwork and keep everything in line for submission to MOM. Get in touch today.
What is the Mandatory Minimum Pay for Maids in Singapore?
Strictly speaking, Singapore has no statutory minimum wage for domestic helpers. In practice, the salary you declare on your helper’s Work Permit is the amount you must pay in full each month, within 7 days after the salary period ends.
A fixed payday and traceable bank transfer help keep records clear for both employer and helper.
You should also factor in:
- Monthly Levy: $300, or $60 for eligible households under the concessionary rate.
- Medical and Personal Accident Insurance: Both are mandatory, with minimum coverage of $60,000 each.
- Security Bond: $5,000 for non-Malaysian helpers.
- Everyday Costs: Food, accommodation, toiletries, rest day arrangements, and 6-monthly medical examinations.
As a practical estimate, add about 30% to 40% on top of the basic salary to understand the true monthly cost before you commit.
How to Stay Compliant with Salary Requirements During the Work Permit
Fair pay does not stop after hiring. Salary requirements apply throughout the full 2-year Work Permit cycle, and late or partial payment can affect your ability to hire in future.
The safest approach is to pay by direct bank transfer and keep a signed monthly salary record. Cash payment is allowed, but it is harder to prove if there is a dispute. A bank transfer gives both the employer and the helper a clear record.
It is also worth planning a modest annual increment. A small, steady increase rewards loyalty, supports retention, and often costs less than replacing a helper and starting the settling-in process again.
Renew Your Helper’s Work Permit with Jayamaids
Setting a fair salary for your maid in Singapore is only the start. As your helper approaches the 2-year mark, her Work Permit renewal needs the same care as her pay, contract terms, insurance, and medical requirements.
At Jayamaids, we guide you through the whole renewal, from checking the declared salary against embassy requirements to arranging insurance, the security bond, and the medical examination.
Whether you are setting a first-time maid salary or preparing for an upcoming renewal, speak to our team at the Hougang, Bedok, or Bukit Timah branches for a clear, no-pressure chat.
