The cost of hiring a maid in Singapore goes beyond just the base salary once you factor in the levy, insurance, and agency fees. In 2026, costs split into two routes: a part-time maid at S$18–S$35 per hour, or a live-in Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) at S$935–S$1,500+ per month all-in. Your choice depends on needing basic cleaning or full-time caregiving.

This guide details part-time rates, FDW salary, government levy, insurance, and hidden fees so you can budget accurately. Singapore has roughly 294,800 migrant domestic workers (Source: MOM), making it crucial to understand the commitment.

What Affects the Cost of Hiring a Maid in Singapore?

The cost of hiring a maid in Singapore is never a single fixed figure. It shifts with the type of help you choose, how often you need it, the size of your home, and whether you hire through an agency or independently.

Before comparing quotes, it helps to know the variables that push your monthly cost of maid Singapore households actually pay up or down:

• Type of hire: Part-time cleaner, full-time local helper, or live-in foreign domestic worker.
• Frequency: One-time, weekly, bi-weekly, or daily sessions.
• Home size: A studio, a 3-room HDB, a 5-room HDB, or a landed property.
• Agency vs. direct hire: Agency placements add fees and, for FDWs, a monthly levy.
• Scope of work: Basic tidying, deep cleaning, laundry, cooking, or caregiving.

Matching your exact household needs to your budget prevents overpaying. A common mistake is hiring a full-time FDW when a few hours of weekly cleaning suffices.

Part-Time Maid Cost in Singapore

For most HDB and condo households, a part-time maid is the most practical and cost-effective option. You pay only for the hours worked, with no levy, no work pass, and none of the admin that comes with a live-in helper.

In 2026, the part time maid Singapore price generally falls within these ranges:

Rates vary based on booking directly or through cleaning companies. Agencies offer benefits like insurance cover and guaranteed replacements.

For context, SuperClean SG’s part-time maid service starts from S$16–S$26/hour for one-time sessions and S$18–S$23/hour for recurring plans. A scheduled weekly home cleaning plan almost always delivers better value per session than booking ad-hoc.

Also Read: 10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Part Time Maid in Singapore

Full-Time and Live-In Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Costs

Hiring a live-in Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) is a larger financial and administrative commitment suited for larger households, young families, or elderly care.

The total cost of hiring a maid this way extends well beyond the base salary. To budget accurately, employers must consider four core cost pillars to avoid unexpected expenses.

1. Monthly Salary

FDW salaries typically range from S$550 to S$700 per month for workers from Indonesia and Myanmar. Filipino domestic workers command higher minimums. The Philippine government raised the floor to S$650 per month for new contracts starting 21 October 2025, with experienced helpers earning S$700 to S$900.

Salary is the one cost that never pauses. It is paid monthly for the full duration of the contract, regardless of how busy or quiet your household is.

2. Government Levy

Employers must pay a monthly Foreign Worker Levy to the Ministry of Manpower. In 2026, the levy is S$300 per month at the standard rate, but drops to a concessionary S$60 per month for eligible households (Source: Upwill).

You qualify for the S$60 concession if your household includes a child under 16, an elderly person aged 67 or older, or a person with disabilities. This saves families S$240 a month (S$2,880 a year).

3. Agency and Placement Fees

Hiring through a licensed employment agency costs between S$1,000 to S$3,000+ in placement fees, covering documentation, MOM processing, and medical exams.

Employers must also furnish a mandatory S$5,000 security bond to MOM (waived for Malaysian helpers). Instead of locking up cash, insurers issue a Letter of Guarantee that covers this bond when you purchase the required maid insurance.

4. Insurance and Medical Coverage

By law, employers must maintain both personal accident insurance and medical insurance for their FDW. As of 2026, the minimum medical insurance coverage is S$60,000 per year (up from the outdated S$15,000 figure), with a mandatory framework where insurers cover 100% of the first S$15,000 and employers co-pay 25% of claims for amounts exceeding that threshold.

The personal accident insurance minimum is also S$60,000. Together, these policies typically cost S$250 to S$600 per year, and any medical expenses exceeding the policy cap remain the employer’s responsibility.

Also Read: Part Time Maid vs Full Time Helper: The Ultimate Cost-Benefit Guide

Part-Time vs Full-Time Maid: Cost Comparison

Comparing the two routes side by side on a monthly basis shows just how large the gap is. Here is a realistic 2026 monthly estimate for each arrangement.

The part-time route costs roughly half as much and carries fewer legal obligations. For homes primarily requiring basic cleaning rather than round-the-clock caregiving, paying the part time maid Singapore price is the more sensible call.

A live-in FDW delivers better value only when you genuinely require daily, full-time support like childcare or elderly care. If your sole goal is basic upkeep, a full-time hire means paying a premium for hours you won’t use.

Hidden and Ongoing Costs to Budget For

Whether you hire part-time or full-time, several costs catch homeowners off guard. Knowing them in advance keeps your cost of maid Singapore budget honest and avoids unpleasant surprises.

• Cleaning supplies: Many part-time maids expect you to provide products and equipment. Budget S$30 to S$80 a month at NTUC FairPrice if supplies are not included in the package.
• Cancellation or rescheduling fees: Some agencies charge one to two session fees for short-notice cancellations.
• Rest-day pay (FDW): Live-in workers are legally entitled to a weekly rest day. If they work it, you must compensate them—at least one day’s salary per missed rest day.
• Replacement costs: If a cleaner or FDW leaves or underperforms, finding and onboarding a replacement takes time and may incur fresh fees.
• Specialist cleaning tasks: Routine sessions rarely cover everything. Services like deep cleaning, mattress cleaning, sofa cleaning, or home disinfection are usually priced separately as add-ons or through a specialist provider.

These extras add up. A “cheap” helper who needs S$80 of supplies, a replacement mid-contract, and a separate deep clean each quarter can quietly cost more than a transparent recurring plan.

How to Get the Best Value When Hiring a Maid

Maximizing your budget isn’t about chasing the lowest maid price Singapore listings. It’s about aligning services with your exact needs. Use these levers to optimize your spending:

• Book recurring packages: Most professional companies discount regular bookings. A weekly or bi-weekly plan costs less per session than ad-hoc bookings and maintains consistent cleanliness.
• Be specific about scope: Clearly defining your focus areas (e.g., kitchen, bathrooms) ensures efficient time allocation and eliminates paying for idle hours.
• Combine routine and specialist services: Instead of a full-time FDW, pair a weekly part-time cleaner with periodic specialist jobs like spring cleaning, post-renovation cleaning, or move-in/move-out cleaning. This hybrid approach often beats a live-in helper on total cost.
• Choose an insured, verified provider. Reputable companies feature vetted, trained cleaners covered by insurance, minimizing liability and avoiding emergency deep cleans that strain your budget.

There is also a quality dividend to regular cleaning. A study found that consistent filtration and maintenance cut house dust-mite allergen levels by 75.2% in bedrooms (Source: PubMed), which emphasizes it’s crucial for managing Singapore’s high humidity where allergens and mold multiply rapidly.

Also Read: Hourly House Cleaning Service: Hidden Fees You Should Know

A Smarter Alternative: Professional Cleaning Services

For many Singapore households, especially HDB flats and condos not requiring full-time support, a professional cleaning company is a compelling alternative. You secure consistent results without the legal complexities of managing an FDW.

At SuperClean SG, our cleaners follow strict cleaning and disinfection protocols, so every session delivers reliable results. Whether you need a regular cleaning service, a thorough housekeeping session, or a one-time move-in or move-out clean, the work is handled with care and efficiency.

We also offer specialist services like disinfection treatments and mould removal that go well beyond what a typical part-time maid provides. This delivers a spotlessly clean home at a transparent cost, completely free of government levies, insurance paperwork, or admin headaches.

If you are weighing the cost of hiring a maid in Singapore and prefer a simpler, more cost-effective option, a professional cleaning service is often the ideal solution for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the cost of hiring a maid in Singapore?

In 2026, a part-time maid costs roughly S$18–S$35 per hour, while a live-in FDW costs about S$935–S$1,500+ per month once salary, levy, insurance, and food are added. The part-time route is cheaper for households that mainly need cleaning rather than full-time caregiving.

Can foreigners hire maids in Singapore?

Yes, foreigners holding valid long-term passes—such as an Employment Pass or S Pass—can hire a foreign domestic worker, provided they meet MOM’s income and eligibility criteria and satisfy levy, security bond, and insurance requirements.

Work Permit holders generally cannot. However, anyone residing in Singapore—local or foreign—can freely book a part-time cleaner through a licensed company without restrictions.

Is a part-time maid or a full-time helper cheaper for a small HDB flat?

For a 3-room or 4-room HDB flat, a part-time maid is almost always cheaper. A few hours of weekly cleaning (S$320–S$520/month) avoids the levy, food, and accommodation costs that push a live-in FDW past S$935/month.

What is the cheapest legal way to get regular cleaning help in Singapore?

The cheapest legal route is a recurring part-time cleaning plan through a licensed provider. You skip the levy, security bond, and insurance entirely, and recurring rates start lower than one-off bookings—from around S$18/hour.

Are there hidden costs in the maid price Singapore agencies quote?

Often, yes. Watch for cleaning supplies (S$30–S$80/month), weekend or public-holiday surcharges, cancellation fees, and replacement costs. Always confirm whether supplies, GST, and add-ons are included before comparing the headline Singapore maid price between providers.

Does SuperClean SG offer part-time maid services without the levy and paperwork?

Yes. SuperClean SG’s part-time maid service gives you trained, insured cleaners at transparent rates—with no government levy, no work pass, and no admin. You can book one-off or recurring sessions sized to your home, with no long-term lock-in.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the true cost of hiring a maid in Singapore requires looking past the headline salary to account for government levies, agency fees, insurance obligations, and specialist add-ons.

For households needing daily caregiving, a live-in FDW justifies the investment. However, for most homes, a reliable part-time maid or professional cleaning service delivers the same freshness at a fraction of the standard Singapore maid price, without the administrative burden.

The best approach is simple: match the solution to your household’s genuine needs, budget honestly for every associated cost, and choose a provider you can trust to show up and do the job right.