Breaking Down the Cost of Hiring a Maid in Singapore

This comprehensive guide aims to demystify the real cost of hiring a maid in Singapore, offering a realistic estimate of expenses involved while outlining the regulations and options available for potential employers.

Expect Significant Expenses

Understanding the full spectrum of costs involved in hiring a maid in Singapore is critical for families planning their domestic arrangements. Many first-time employers are surprised by the extent of both upfront and ongoing costs associated with employing a migrant domestic worker (MDW). These expenses generally fall into two categories: one-time setup costs and monthly recurring expenses.

One-Time Setup Costs

Maid Agency Fees

To hire a maid in Singapore, most people turn to licensed maid agencies. These agencies provide vetted candidates, training, and logistical support such as paperwork and travel arrangements. Maid agency fees can range from SGD 1,000 to SGD 3,000, depending on the services offered and the origin of the helper.

Placement Fee (Maid’s Loan)

Agencies also typically collect a placement fee, also known as a maid’s loan. This fee, which the employer usually pays upfront, is then deducted from the helper’s salary over several months. It often amounts to one or two months of salary and serves to offset the domestic worker’s recruitment and training costs from her home country. Ethical hiring practices ensure that helpers are not unduly burdened by high placement fees, especially in line with MOM and international fair employment guidelines.

Work Permit Application and Security Bond

To hire a domestic helper, employers must apply for a work permit. The application and issuance fees total SGD 70 (SGD 35 each). Additionally, a security bond of SGD 5,000 is required for each non-Malaysian helper. This bond can be purchased through insurance providers and serves as a safeguard in the event of breaches of MOM regulations. Most employers opt for insurance packages that bundle personal accident coverage, hospitalisation insurance, and the bond itself.

You can carry out permit-related processes online using the FDW eService, which provides convenience for managing applications, renewals, and cancellations.

Maid Insurance

Maid insurance is a mandatory requirement. It must include coverage of at least SGD 60,000 per year for hospitalisation and surgical expenses, and at least SGD 60,000 for personal accident protection. Premiums can vary from SGD 200 to SGD 500 per year, depending on the coverage level and provider. Some employers choose more comprehensive plans to ensure their domestic helper is adequately protected in case of emergencies.

Permits

MOM Household Income Assessment

Before you can hire a maid in Singapore, you must meet MOM’s eligibility criteria. This includes a household income assessment to ensure you have the financial means to support a domestic helper. Although MOM does not publicise a strict minimum income, households with a combined income of at least SGD 2,000 to SGD 3,000 per month are typically considered eligible.

Employers must also:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Not be an undischarged bankrupt
• Reside at the address where the maid will work
• Have the mental and financial capacity to care for the domestic worker

The MDW eligibility requirements are clearly outlined by the Ministry of Manpower, and it’s important to review these carefully before proceeding with the hiring process.

If you are a first-time employer, you must also complete the Employer Orientation Programme (EOP), either online or in person. This programme provides valuable insights into your responsibilities, rights, and best practices when hiring a maid in Singapore.

Monthly Salary of Maids

Salary is one of the most visible and regular components of the total cost of hiring a maid. Salaries for maids in Singapore vary depending on nationality, experience, and individual agency arrangements.

Common Salary Ranges by Nationality (2025 Estimates)

• Myanmar: SGD 450 – SGD 500
• Sri Lanka: SGD 497 – SGD 520
• Indonesia: SGD 550 – SGD 600
• Philippines: SGD 570 – SGD 650

Transfer maids, who are already working in Singapore and switching employers, may command slightly higher salaries due to their experience and familiarity with local customs. More experienced helpers or those with certifications in caregiving or first aid may also command a premium.

While salary is negotiated at the time of hiring, employers should budget for future salary reviews. Providing fair and competitive compensation promotes job satisfaction and helps reduce turnover, which can be disruptive and costly.

Maid Levy Concession

The monthly maid levy is a fee paid by employers to the Singapore government for employing a foreign domestic worker. The standard maid levy in Singapore is SGD 300 per month for the first maid and SGD 450 for each subsequent maid. This levy must be paid monthly through GIRO, and penalties apply for late payments.

The maid levy in Singapore can be significantly reduced under the Levy Concession Scheme for qualifying households. Households can pay a concessionary rate of SGD 60 per month if they live with:

• A Singaporean child under 16 years old,
• An elderly Singaporean aged 67 or older, or
• A family member with disabilities requiring assistance with at least one daily living activity.

The concession applies to up to two maids per household. You must apply via the Ministry of Manpower, and approval is typically straightforward if you meet the eligibility criteria.

By understanding the full structure of the maid levy in Singapore, employers can better manage the cost of hiring a domestic helper and take advantage of financial relief options where applicable.

Utilising Rest Days

Since January 2023, MOM regulations have required that all domestic helpers be given at least one rest day per month that cannot be compensated for. Employers and helpers may agree on the remaining rest days in a month (up to three more) to be either taken or compensated with extra pay.

Rest Day Practices

Most employers allow their maids to take weekly rest days—usually Sundays. This gives helpers time to recuperate, socialise, and handle personal matters such as remittance or shopping. Rest is essential for the well-being of domestic helpers and contributes to better job performance and morale.

Compensation for Work on Rest Days

If a maid chooses to work on her entitled rest days beyond the compulsory one per month, she must be compensated with at least one day’s wages. This is typically calculated as the monthly salary divided by 26 (average working days in a month).

Housing Costs

When hiring a domestic helper in Singapore, one of your legal obligations is to provide her with proper accommodation. This means the helper must have a safe, private, and well-ventilated space to sleep and store her belongings. The space must not compromise her privacy or dignity.

For families living in HDB flats, a common approach is to set up a partitioned room or convert part of a study or utility room into a sleeping area. In larger homes, helpers are usually given a designated room. While this may not involve direct rental expenses, you need to account for increased utility usage (electricity, water, gas) and any potential renovation or furnishing costs.

Employers should also provide basic necessities such as a bed, fan, wardrobe, and linens. These are one-time costs, but essential in meeting MOM’s housing requirements for migrant domestic workers.

Medical Costs

All employers must take full responsibility for their maids’ medical care, as per Ministry of Manpower regulations. This includes both routine medical check-ups and emergency treatments. The cost of hiring a domestic helper must factor in these recurring and sometimes unexpected expenses.

Mandatory Health Requirements

• Six-monthly medical examinations (6ME): Employers must send their helpers for a medical screening every six months. Each test typically costs SGD 60–80 and checks for pregnancy, infectious diseases, and general health.
• Outpatient Visits: A standard GP consultation ranges from SGD 40–60, excluding medication.
• Dental Care: Not covered by mandatory insurance; routine procedures may cost SGD 100–300.
• Emergency or Specialist Care: May require out-of-pocket expenses, especially if the issue is not covered by the maid insurance policy.

Employers are advised to maintain a separate account or contingency fund to manage medical expenses efficiently. This is especially important if you are hiring a maid with pre-existing medical conditions or from countries where certain health risks are more common, such as Sri Lanka or Indonesia.

Maid Placement Charges

Placement charges are typically imposed by a maid agency to cover training, administrative work, and overseas recruitment logistics. These fees are also referred to as maid loans and are usually borne upfront by the employer and deducted from the helper’s salary over 6–8 months.

What’s Included in Placement Fees?

• Pre-departure training and documentation
• Work permit application
• Travel costs (e.g. airfare ticket from the maid’s home country)
• Onboarding and orientation in Singapore

The total cost of these charges ranges between SGD 1,000 and SGD 2,500, depending on the helper’s nationality and the agency. It’s important to discuss transparent fee structures with maid agencies and ensure the terms are fair to both parties, especially when hiring a domestic helper for the first time.

Recurring Costs and One-Off Costs

Breaking down the cost of maid in Singapore means distinguishing between recurring costs (monthly or annual) and one-off payments. Here’s what employers can expect:

Recurring Costs

• Salary: SGD 450–650/month
• Maid levy: SGD 60 (with levy concession) or SGD 300/month
• Food and utilities: SGD 200–300/month
• Phone and transport: SGD 50–80/month
• 6ME medical exams: SGD 10–15/month (averaged)
• Maid insurance (annual premium divided monthly): SGD 20–40/month

One-Off Costs

• Agency fee and placement fee: SGD 1,000–3,000
• Work permit and security bond insurance: SGD 300–700
• Furnishings and essentials: SGD 200–500

Together, these form the total cost of hiring a maid. For budgeting purposes, most families should prepare an initial outlay of SGD 3,000–5,000, followed by a monthly commitment of approximately SGD 800–1,300 depending on the maid levy, helper’s salary, and lifestyle needs.

Average Hourly Rate for a Maid

While hiring a full-time domestic helper is the most common approach in Singapore, some families opt for part-time or freelance help. If you decide not to hire a maid full-time, understanding the average hourly rate is essential.

Part-Time or Freelance Helpers

• Cleaning services: SGD 20–30/hour
• Childcare or eldercare: SGD 25–35/hour
• Weekend-only maids: SGD 80–150 per session (4–6 hours)

These helpers are usually engaged through platforms or local cleaning firms, and they do not require a work permit, which can lower long-term commitment. However, they may not provide the same flexibility or continuity as a live-in maid, especially when caring for a loved one or adult family members who need round-the-clock attention.

Is It a Good Idea To Hire a Domestic Helper From a Maid Agency?

Engaging a maid agency can streamline the entire process of hiring a domestic helper in Singapore. It saves time, ensures MOM compliance, and provides employer protection through service guarantees and replacement policies.

Benefits of Using a Maid Agency

• Curated selection of trained helpers
• Clear breakdown of placement fees
• Professional support for work permit application
• Access to transfer maids if the hired helper is unsuitable
• Administrative help with levy concession, insurance, and documentation

However, not all agencies operate to the same ethical standards. You must choose licensed and MOM-accredited agencies that treat migrant domestic workers with fairness and dignity. Use credit cards cautiously for agency payments and always insist on transparent billing.

If you need a helper urgently or prefer someone familiar with working in Singapore, agencies also have access to transfer helpers—maids who are already in the country and available for hire with reduced downtime.

Cost of Hiring a Transfer Maid

Transfer maids are foreign domestic helpers who are already working in Singapore but are changing employers. They are often preferred because they:

• Know Singapore’s routines, culture, and language
• Require less training
• Can start immediately, avoiding border restrictions

Cost Differences

• Agency Fees: Often lower, around SGD 500–1,500
• No placement loan: Since the helper is already in Singapore
• No air ticket or overseas training costs
• Salary: Typically higher due to experience (SGD 600–700/month)

Hiring a transfer maid can be more cost-effective and less stressful than starting from scratch with a first-time maid. However, employers must still carry out a work permit transfer via the FDW eService portal and ensure mutual agreement between parties.

Cost of Hiring Full-Time and Part-Time Maid

The choice between full-time and part-time maids depends on the household’s needs, financial ability, and lifestyle.

Full-Time Maid (Live-In)

• Monthly Cost: SGD 850–1,300
• Best for: Families with elderly members, young children, or long working hours
• Advantages: Convenience, flexibility, constant presence
• Considerations: Space, higher cost, long-term commitment

Part-Time Maid (Live-Out)

• Hourly Rate: SGD 20–35
• Monthly Cost: SGD 300–600 (if used regularly)
• Best for: Smaller households or light cleaning needs
• Advantages: No accommodation required, flexibility
• Considerations: Less personalisation, not suitable for caregiving

If you only need assistance for a few hours weekly, part-time might be ideal. But for families with high dependency needs, hiring a maid full-time remains the more efficient and reliable solution.

Conclusion

The cost of hiring a domestic helper in Singapore is more than just a monthly salary—it’s a comprehensive financial commitment that includes recruitment fees, accommodation, food, insurance, medical care, and government levies. Whether you’re engaging a full-time live-in maid, a part-time helper, or exploring the option of transfer maids, it’s crucial to understand the various expenses involved so you can plan your household budget realistically.

With increasing demands placed on families, especially those caring for an elderly loved one or a young child, the decision to hire a maid can bring significant relief. However, due diligence is key—ensure you work with licensed maid agencies, comply with Ministry of Manpower regulations, and always consider the welfare of your helper.

If you’re exploring tailored domestic solutions, RetireGenie offers expert guidance and curated services to help you make the right choice. Whether you need part-time assistance or a full-time live-in caregiver in Singapore, they offer trusted support every step of the way.

Ultimately, hiring a domestic helper in Singapore is not just a matter of convenience—it’s a decision that impacts your home, finances, and peace of mind. Make it wisely, and with the right partner.