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Maid salary in Singapore (2026): pay rules and rest days

Checked 14 Oct 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Short answerSingapore has no minimum wage for domestic helpers. You must pay at least the salary you declared to MOM, every month, within 7 days of the end of the salary period. The Philippines sets its own minimum of SGD 650 a month for Filipino helpers on contracts from 21 October 2025.

What MOM requires

  • Pay every month, no later than 7 days after the salary period ends. A salary period cannot be longer than one month.
  • Pay at least the salary you declared to MOM. That means basic salary plus any fixed monthly allowances.
  • If she asks, pay into her own bank account. It must not be a joint account with you.
  • If you pay cash, keep records signed by both of you.
  • You must not keep her salary, bank book or bank card, even if she asks.
Sketch: MOM's rules for paying a helper's salaryThree boxes: pay every month within 7 days of the end of the salary period; pay at least the salary declared to MOM, basic plus fixed allowances; pay into her own bank account if she asks, never a joint account.Paying her salary1Every monthwithin 7 days of the period end2At least the declared salarybasic plus fixed allowances3Her own bank accountif she asks, never a joint one
Pay every month within 7 days of the period end, at least the salary declared to MOM, and into her own account if she asks.

Rest days

She is entitled to one rest day a week. If she agrees to work on a rest day, pay her at least one extra day's salary, worked out as monthly salary divided by 26. At least one rest day a month cannot be paid away.

MOM's own example: on a SGD 650 salary, one day's pay is SGD 25. If she works two rest days, you pay SGD 700.

Minimums set by home countries

The Philippine Migrant Workers Office sets a minimum of SGD 650 a month (USD 500) for Filipino helpers on new or renewed contracts from 21 October 2025. Other countries may have their own rules; ask your agency.

What families also pay

On top of salary: the monthly levy, insurance and bond, food and accommodation.

We do not publish market salary ranges by nationality until we have a verified source.

Sketch: worked example of pay for working on rest daysFour stages: SGD 650 monthly salary; divided by 26 gives SGD 25 a day; two rest days worked; pay SGD 700 that month.MOM's rest day exampleSGD 650monthlysalarydivide by 26one day =SGD 25two rest daysworkedSGD 700that month
MOM's example: on SGD 650, one day's pay is SGD 650 / 26 = SGD 25, so two rest days worked means SGD 700 that month.

Sources, checked 14 Oct 2026: MOM, Paying salary; MOM FAQ on minimum wage; MOM, Rest days; MOM FAQ on rest-day pay; Philippine Migrant Workers Office.

Common questions

Is there a minimum salary for maids in Singapore?

MOM does not set a minimum wage for helpers. You must pay at least what you declared to MOM. The Philippines requires at least SGD 650 a month for Filipino helpers on contracts from 21 October 2025.

When must I pay my helper?

Every month, no later than 7 days after the end of the salary period.

How much do I pay if my helper works on her rest day?

At least one day's salary extra, calculated as monthly salary divided by 26. At least one rest day each month must be taken.

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