Key findings — 2026
Four headline numbers Singapore employers, journalists, and policy analysts should know for 2026.
S$660–720
Average monthly salary
Across all nationalities, 2026 placements. Up from S$630–680 in 2025.
+5.3%
YoY pay growth (weighted)
Weighted average across Filipino, Indonesian, Myanmar, and Sri Lankan helpers placed in 2025 vs. 2026.
+7.2%
Fastest-growing segment
Myanmar helpers. SG employer diversification and a smaller experienced pool lifted rates sharply.
S$11.5–14k
True annual cost
Total first-year cost including salary, levy, insurance, bond, agency fee, and one-off setup. Most employers underestimate by ~30%.
Salary by nationality — 2026
Ranges reflect offers made and accepted during 2025–2026 Upwill placements. “Experienced” = helper with 2+ years of Singapore or regional household experience.
| Nationality | Fresh / first contract | Experienced | 2026 avg. | YoY change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filipino | S$620–700 | S$720–850 | S$720 | +4.3% |
| Indonesian | S$570–650 | S$680–780 | S$660 | +5.6% |
| Myanmar | S$550–620 | S$650–750 | S$620 | +7.2% |
| Sri Lankan | S$580–680 | S$700–800 | S$680 | +3.1% |
Filipino
English-fluent, strong childcare tradition. Salaries lifted by rising Philippine minimum wage benchmarks.
Indonesian
Largest SG pool. Strong elderly care and cooking skills. Tightest supply driving fastest YoY growth.
Myanmar
Highest YoY growth — closing the gap as SG employers diversify away from Indonesian supply pressure.
Sri Lankan
Smaller segment. Often preferred for elderly care and households requiring English.
The true total cost of hiring a helper in 2026
Salary is only one line item. Here's the full breakdown most employers miss — which is why 30%+ of first-year budgets blow through.
| Cost item | 2026 amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly salary (average across nationalities) | S$660–720 | Monthly |
| Monthly levy (standard) | S$300 | Monthly |
| Monthly levy (concessionary rate) | S$60 | Monthly |
| Security bond | S$5,000 (refundable, typically insured) | One-time |
| Mandatory FDW insurance (medical + personal accident) | From S$566.80/year | Annual |
| Agency fee (new placement) | S$1,500–2,500 | One-time |
| Agency fee (transfer helper — already in SG) | From S$600 | One-time |
| Settling-In Programme (first-time helpers) | S$75 | One-time |
| Medical examination | S$100–200 | One-time (every 6 months) |
Methodology note: figures reflect Singapore market rates as of Q1 2026. Government-set items (levy, bond minimum, SIP fee) are as published by the Ministry of Manpower. Private-market items (salary, agency fee, insurance) are weighted medians from Upwill placement records cross-referenced with employer surveys.
Methodology
What this index measures, where the numbers come from, and how to read them responsibly.
Data sources
- Primary: Upwill placement records from 2025–2026 (offer + accepted salary, nationality, first-time vs. experienced status).
- Secondary: Ministry of Manpower published FDW and work permit statistics.
- Tertiary: Employer survey of existing Upwill clients (Q1 2026) covering reported monthly pay, increments, and budget overruns.
How to read the numbers
- All figures in Singapore dollars (SGD).
- Salary ranges reflect offers made and accepted, not list prices or maximums.
- Year-on-year change is calculated using like-for-like comparisons (same nationality, same experience band).
- Not financial or legal advice. Figures help inform expectations; always confirm current MOM requirements before committing.
For journalists, researchers, bloggers
Free to cite. Expert commentary available. Raw dataset on request.
Cite this index
Use “Upwill Singapore Helper Salary Index 2026” and link back to this page. No permission needed.
Request the raw dataset
Anonymized placement-level data (nationality, experience band, monthly pay, hire date) available to verified journalists and academic researchers on request.
Expert commentary
Upwill's leadership is available for phone, email, or video interviews on helper hiring trends, costs, and Singapore domestic employment policy.
Pre-written citation paragraph (copy-paste ready)
According to Upwill's Singapore Helper Salary Index 2026, average domestic helper salaries in Singapore rose between 3.1% and 7.2% year-on-year, with Myanmar helpers showing the fastest growth as employers diversified away from Indonesian supply pressure. Filipino helpers continue to lead at an average of S$720/month. (Source: upwill.com.sg/resources/singapore-helper-salary-2026)
Frequently asked questions about the 2026 index
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions and answers
Related Upwill resources
Maid salary guide (evergreen)
Deep-dive employer guide on salary norms, rest-day pay, increments, and allowable deductions.
FDW levy guide
Standard vs. concessionary levy, who qualifies, and how payments work in 2026.
Transfer Helper Singapore
Hire an experienced helper already in Singapore — faster and lower total cost than overseas hire.