Maid Salary in Singapore 2025: All Employers Need to Know | Best Home

Who Determines a Maid’s Basic Salary in Singapore?

When hiring a maid in Singapore, one important topic that often comes up is the maid’s basic salary. Many employers naturally ask: who actually determines a maid’s basic pay? It is important to understand the facts clearly, so that both employers and maids can work together based on mutual respect and fairness.

There is no minimum wage system

First, in Singapore, there is no minimum wage system for foreign maids. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not mandate or regulate basic salary ranges for maids. Likewise, employment agencies, including Best Home Employment Agency, do not set basic salary rates. We do not impose fixed salaries on any maid or employer.

Market forces are the critical drivers

In reality, a maid's basic salary is determined entirely by market forces – specifically, the balance of supply and demand for labour. When the demand for maids is high but there is a limited supply of available maids, salary expectations naturally rise. Conversely, when there are many maids available for fewer job openings, salary expectations can stabilise or even decrease slightly. Just like in any open labour market, the economic forces of demand and supply play a major role in shaping salary levels.

Work experience and skill set matters

Experience and special skill sets also have a direct impact on a maid’s salary expectations. Maids who have previously worked in Singapore (ex-Singapore maids) or in places like Taiwan or Hong Kong, especially those who can speak Mandarin, tend to ask for higher basic salaries.

Nursing-certified maids who have undergone formal caregiver training also command higher pay, and understandably so. Their past work experience, language abilities, and specialised training make them more valuable and capable of handling complex caregiving tasks.

Global events are factors to consider

At the same time, global events can also influence the salary expectations of maids. For example, the ongoing Myanmar Civil War and recent earthquake have driven many Myanmar citizens to seek employment abroad.

As a result, many Myanmar maids are more willing to accept slightly lower salaries compared to their counterparts from the Philippines or Indonesia. However, responsible agencies like Best Home do not take advantage of this situation. We continue to advocate for fair and reasonable salaries for all our maids, ensuring that they are paid appropriately for their hard work and dedication.

What Does This Mean For Employers Looking To Hire A Maid in Singapore?

Today, with the ease of communication through messaging applications and social media, maids are very well-informed about salary trends. They often discuss pay openly among friends and relatives. This transparency means that employers find it increasingly difficult to negotiate for significantly lower salaries without facing rejection. Trying to push down a competent maid’s salary can be very demoralising, and maids who feel undervalued during interviews are more likely to turn down job offers.

Simply put, it is important for employers to offer salaries that reflect the maid's abilities and the current market conditions.

Estimated Basic Salaries For Maids In Singapore 2025

To help guide employers, here is a general overview of the average asking salaries we observe for domestic helpers in Singapore:

Once again, these salary ranges are not determined by any ministry or employment agency. They are simply what we have observed during recent successful interviews between employers and maids.

Please also note that maids who are nursing trained or have special skills or language abilities may ask for even higher salaries.

Why Best Home Is The Right Agency For You

At Best Home Employment Agency, we always encourage employers to offer a salary that matches the maid’s experience, capabilities, and effort. A fair salary not only helps to secure a committed and motivated helper, but it also lays the foundation for a positive, long-term working relationship built on mutual respect.

For over 30 years, Best Home has successfully matched thousands of families with suitable maids — meeting employers’ budgets while ensuring that maids’ salary expectations are respected. We believe in ethical, responsible, and transparent business practices. This is why thousands of families in Singapore trust our services, and why thousands of maids recommend their friends and family members to join Best Home.

If you are looking for a reliable agency to find the right helper for your family, contact Best Home today. Let us help you make the right match, both professionally and compassionately.