Maid Salary Increment Singapore 2026: When & How Much to Raise
Reviewed by Wendy Tan, EA Personnel under MOM Licence 24C2628. Wendy has placed and renewed over 1,200 foreign domestic worker (FDW) contracts in Singapore since 2018 and advises employers weekly on salary benchmarking and retention.
Last updated: 24 May 2026
Your helper just finished her first year. She has been good. Quiet, hardworking, never complained. Now she is sitting across from you with that hopeful look, and you are trying to remember what your friend said her helper got. S$30? S$50? More?
Salary increments for migrant domestic workers in Singapore are not regulated by MOM, but they are absolutely governed by a strong informal market. Helpers talk. WhatsApp groups share numbers within hours. Get the raise wrong and you risk her transferring at renewal, which costs you S$3,500 to S$4,500 in agency fees plus the disruption of training someone new. Get it right and you keep a known, trusted person in your home for another two years.
When Salary Raises Actually Happen in Singapore
1. One-Year Anniversary
The small but psychologically important raise. Customary range is S$20 to S$30 per month. Skipping this is the single most common mistake employers make.
2. Two-Year Renewal
The big one. Expect to add S$50 to S$80 per month. She compares your offer to what an agency would place her at if she transferred. See our work permit renewal guide.
3. Mid-Contract Performance Raise
Less common, but a S$20-30 mid-contract bump for exceptional work signals long-term commitment.
4. Scope Change
New responsibility (newborn, elderly parent, second pet) = immediate raise justified. Common bump: S$50-100.
2026 Salary Increment Benchmarks by Nationality
For full starting salary context see our 2026 helper salary guide.
| Nationality | Starting Salary | After Year 1 | At Renewal (Year 2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filipino | S$700-780 | S$730-810 | S$770-870 |
| Indonesian | S$580-650 | S$610-680 | S$650-730 |
| Myanmar | S$500-580 | S$530-610 | S$580-660 |
Tiered Increment Guide
| Nationality | Below-market | Average | Generous (retention) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filipino renewal | +S$30 or less | +S$50-70 | +S$80-100 |
| Indonesian renewal | +S$20 or less | +S$40-60 | +S$70-90 |
| Myanmar renewal | +S$20 or less | +S$40-60 | +S$70-80 |
Filipino helpers command the highest renewal increments due to POEA country-of-origin floor and English-speaking childcare demand.
Bonuses Are Separate From Raises
- Year-end bonus: One month of salary for a good helper. Pay in December.
- Birthday bonus: S$50-100 cash, a cake, afternoon off. Costs nothing, builds enormous goodwill.
- CNY angbao: S$200-500 cultural expectation in Singapore Chinese households.
- Mid-year performance bonus: S$100-200 for tough season completion.
The Market Reality: She Knows What Others Make
In 2026, salary info moves fast. WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels, Sunday gatherings at Lucky Plaza, City Plaza, Peninsula Plaza.
- If your Filipino helper is on S$650 in year 2 and a fresh transfer would place at S$800, she knows.
- Underpaying feels like disrespect, not just underpaying.
If she decides to transfer, see our helper transfer guide.
How to Deliver the Raise Conversation
- Time it to renewal signing. Frames raise as part of renewal package.
- Frame it as recognition. "You have done well. We want you to stay, and we are increasing your salary to S$X starting next month."
- Document it the same day. Printed addendum, both sign, give her copy.
- Update GIRO/PayNow immediately. First salary at new rate must land on time.
Six Mistakes Employers Make
- Skipping the 1-year increment. She feels undervalued for 12 months.
- Raising too aggressively. A S$150 jump sets unsustainable expectation.
- Not raising at all. Most expensive choice long-term.
- Cash-only top-ups. Untrackable. Always bank/PayNow with record.
- Conditional raises. Sounds like a deal but reads as threat.
- Forgetting bonuses entirely. Helper feels invisible.
The Math: Why a Raise Almost Always Wins
- S$50/mo renewal increment over 24 months = S$1,200 total additional cost
- Cost of replacing her if she transfers: agency fee S$3,500-4,500 plus medical, insurance, work permit, SIP
- Hidden cost: 2-3 months retraining, mistakes, household disruption, kids adjusting
Use our helper cost calculators. Factor in the FDW levy you already pay every month regardless.
Renewing soon? Get a fair raise benchmark.
Upwill helps you benchmark a fair raise based on your helper's nationality, tenure, and scope. Book a 20-min consult at upwill.com.sg/contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a salary increment legally required in Singapore?
No. MOM does not mandate annual increments. However, market norms are strong and not raising at renewal almost guarantees transfer.
How much should I raise my Filipino helper at renewal?
S$50-80/mo customary. 2026 market rate for renewed Filipino helper is S$770-870. Below S$50 is transfer-risk territory.
Do I have to give a year-end bonus on top of the raise?
Not legally required, but the established norm. One month of salary for a good helper.
What if I cannot afford a S$50 monthly increment?
Compare to the S$3,500-4,500 agency fee to replace her. If genuine affordability issue, propose smaller raise + one-time bonus, or phased increment.
Can I give a raise mid-contract?
Yes. Acceptable especially when scope changes or as performance reward.
Cash or bank?
Always bank/PayNow. MOM requires documented salary for renewals and disputes.
What if she asks for more than I planned?
Hear her out. If she cites market correctly, meet her closer. If unrealistic, explain your reasoning calmly. Avoid confrontation.
Does FDW levy change with her salary?
No. Levy is set by MOM based on household composition, independent of her salary. See levy guide.
Next Steps
Benchmark against the current Singapore helper salary ranges. New employers can start with our first-time employer FAQ.
The raise itself is rarely the make-or-break factor. The respect behind it is. Helpers who feel seen and fairly compensated stay for years; helpers who feel taken for granted leave at the first opportunity.