2026 Domestic Helper Salary Guide: Latest Base Salaries for Indonesian, Filipino, Myanmar, and Mizo Helpers

If you are hiring a domestic helper or renewing a contract in Singapore in 2026, you have probably noticed that employment costs are up. Between inflation, updated embassy rules, and tighter Ministry of Manpower (MOM) guidelines, how much do you actually need to budget each month? Below is a realistic breakdown of base salaries across the main source countries, along with the recurring monthly expenses to plan for.

1. 2026 Base Salary Overview by Helper Nationality

1. Filipino Helpers Fresh / No Singapore experience: S$650 – S$700
   Ex-Singapore / Experienced: S$700 – S$900+
   Overview: Strong English communication is the norm. Helpers experienced with newborns, toddlers, or elderly family members remain in high demand. Still, check past references and speak with previous employers directly whenever possible.

2. Indonesian Helpers Fresh / No Singapore experience: S$550 – S$650
   Ex-Singapore / Experienced: S$650 – S$800+
   Overview: Those who have worked in Singapore or in Chinese households usually adapt quickly to local dietary habits and family schedules. If you hire someone fresh, ask detailed questions about cooking during the interview, or request a simple practical test through the agency.

3. Myanmar Helpers Fresh / No Singapore experience: S$500 – S$600
   Ex-Singapore / Experienced: S$600 – S$750+
   Overview: Starting pay tends to sit at the lower end of the market. English proficiency varies considerably among first-time arrivals, so be prepared to invest extra time showing them the ropes in the first few months.

4. Mizo Helpers (Indian Nationality) Fresh / No Singapore experience: S$550 – S$650
   Ex-Singapore / Experienced: S$650 – S$800
   Overview: Most have good conversational English, though you should verify this during an interview call. Clarify their actual hands-on background in cooking, cleaning, and child or eldercare. Under MOM rules, they are processed under the Indian nationality category.

Note: These figures reflect current market rates rather than legal minimums set by MOM. Actual pay within each group varies depending on whether a helper has completed full two-year contracts, had multiple short transfers, or is working in Singapore for the first time.

2. Salary Premiums for Specialised Skills and Experience

• Eldercare Specialists: Helpers trained in dementia care, wheelchair transfers, or tube feeding command higher wages than general housekeepers. In 2026, a fresh caregiver usually asks for S$550 – S$700, while experienced caregivers with finished contracts earn S$700 – S$900. If the role involves bedridden care or waking up frequently at night, expected salaries run higher.
• Infant Care and Cooking: Ex-Singapore helpers with solid experience caring for infants typically earn S$50 – S$100 more per month than general helpers with similar years of service. Good cooking—especially Chinese dishes, soups, or varied cuisines—also commands a premium. Rates depend on trial cooking results, references, and overall duties.
• Ex-Singapore vs Fresh Hires: For similar duties and rest-day terms, a helper with finished contracts and a stable work record costs roughly S$100 – S$200 more each month than a newcomer. For workers with multiple completed contracts or specific skills, the difference can exceed S$200. However, simply having worked in Singapore does not justify higher pay if a helper has a pattern of broken contracts or early transfers.

3. Total Monthly Budget: What Does a Helper Really Cost?

Here is a breakdown of recurring monthly expenses for an employer in Singapore in 2026:

• Basic Monthly Salary: Typically S$600 – S$800+, depending on nationality, background, and assigned duties.
• Rest Day Compensation: MOM rules require at least one rest day per month that cannot be compensated with pay. If your helper agrees to work on her other rest days, you must pay her daily rate (monthly salary ÷ 26), which adds roughly S$75 – S$105 each month.
• MOM Helper Levy: The concessionary levy (for households with young children, elderly parents, or members with disabilities) is S$60/month. The standard levy is S$300/month for your first helper and S$450/month for a second.
• Insurance, 6ME & Medical Fund: Mandatory insurance and the twice-yearly medical check-ups (6ME) average out to S$25 – S$40 per month. Setting aside another S$15 – S$20 monthly for minor clinic visits brings your medical reserve to S$40 – S$60 per month.
• Food and Daily Living: Groceries, utilities, and daily household needs for an extra adult usually run between S$150 and S$250 each month.

Total Estimated Monthly Spend: Families on the concessionary levy should plan for S$950 – S$1,250 per month. If you pay the standard levy, add S$240 to that range for your first helper.

4. Advice for Employers: 2026 Renewals and Retention

When a two-year contract is up for renewal, focusing strictly on saving a few dozen dollars a month can backfire. Factor in agency replacement costs, onboarding time, and the uncertainty of hiring someone new.

• Renewal Salary Increments: Singapore law does not set a mandatory increment upon renewal. In practice, completing a two-year contract typically earns a raise of S$30 – S$80/month. For reliable helpers who work well with your family or care for babies or elderly parents, S$50 – S$100/month is standard. Base your offer on real duties, work history, and going market rates. Offering well below market often leads helpers to seek a transfer instead.

• Combining Base Pay with Performance Incentives: Retention incentives work best when paired with a fair base increment rather than replacing it. Consider offering a written completion bonus, extra paid leave, or sponsored training (such as cooking or eldercare courses). Put all bonus terms and payout dates directly into the renewed contract so everyone is on the same page.

• Caregiver Training Support: If your helper's main role is caring for an elderly family member or someone with special needs, see if your household qualifies for the Caregivers Training Grant (CTG) via the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). It subsidizes approved courses in dementia care and mobility support. Employers cover any remaining course fees; you cannot deduct this from the helper's wages.

Hiring the right helper comes down to day-to-day compatibility. Once you understand the actual monthly numbers and what your home needs, you can set terms that work fairly for both sides.