Leonard Ng | Updated: March 24, 2026
Most FDW salary guides in Singapore are based on agency estimates or anecdotal ranges. This report is different. Using data from 1,006 helper profiles on Employhelpers.com – filtered to helpers actively seeking work in Singapore. We’ve compiled real salary expectations by nationality and experience tier. No agency markups. No guesswork. Just what helpers are actually asking for in Q1 2026.
| Average expected salary across all profiles | Singapore-seeking helper profiles analysed | Salary premium: entry-level vs. 10+ years |
| $851 | 1,006 | ~$135 |
“These aren’t agency estimates. They’re salary expectations declared by 1,006 helpers themselves – the closest thing to a real market rate Singapore has.
All figures represent helper-declared expected salaries in SGD per month, from profiles seeking work in Singapore. Profiles with salary expectations outside $400–$1,500/month were excluded as likely data entry errors.
Filipino Helpers, n=869 profiles
| Experience | Profiles | Avg Expected Salary |
| 0–2 years | 103 | $776 |
| 3–5 years | 146 | $794 |
| 6–10 years | 244 | $859 |
| 10+ years | 376 | $911 |
Indonesian Helpers, n=148 profiles
| Experience | Profiles | Avg Expected Salary |
| 0–2 years | 14 | $761 |
| 3–5 years | 35 | $803 |
| 6–10 years | 48 | $862 |
| 10+ years | 51 | $886 |
Myanmar (Burmese) Helpers, n=15 profiles
| Experience | Profiles | Avg Expected Salary |
| 0–2 years | 4 | $758 |
| 3–5 years | 3 | $733 |
| 6–10 years | 3 | $767 |
| 10+ years | 5 | $810 |
⚠ Myanmar sample is small (n=15). Figures are directional only and will be updated as the platform’s dataset grows. Indian (n=9, avg ~$757) and Sri Lankan (n=5, avg ~$850) samples are too small to report independently this year.
1. $800+ is the new normal
Most helpers with 3+ years of experience declare salary expectations above $800/month. Employers budgeting $600-$650 will find their choices significantly limited, particularly for experienced helpers.
2. The Filipino-Indonesian salary gap is closing
At the 10+ year tier, Indonesian helpers ($886 avg) are just $25/month behind Filipino helpers ($911 avg). Nationality alone is increasingly a poor proxy for salary expectations at the senior level.
3. The experience premium is worth budgeting for
Across both major nationalities, the jump from entry-level to 10+ years is consistently $130-$140/month. If you’re hiring a younger helper, build in room for salary growth over time.
4. These are expectations, not agreed salaries
All figures represent what helpers declare on their profiles. Actual agreed salaries will depend on negotiation, specific duties, accommodation provided, and individual circumstances.
Data source: Helper profiles submitted to Employhelpers.com, a Singapore-based platform connecting employers directly with domestic helpers without agency fees. Sample: 1,006 profiles filtered to helpers who selected Singapore as a preferred job location, with a declared salary expectation between $400-$1,500/month, as of Q1 2026.
Salary field: Self-reported “Salary per month” number field completed by helpers at profile registration. Reflects expectations, not necessarily agreed employment terms.
Experience field: Taxonomy tier selected by the helper at registration: 0–2, 3–5, 6–10, or 10+ years of FDW experience.
Limitations: Myanmar, Indian, and Sri Lankan nationality samples are small (n<20) and should be treated as directional only. This report will be updated annually as the platform dataset grows.
How to cite this report: Employhelpers.com Singapore FDW Salary Report 2026, based on 1,006 Singapore-seeking helper profiles (Q1 2026). employhelpers.com
Based on 1,006 helper profiles on Employhelpers.com, the average expected salary across all nationalities and experience levels is $851/month. Filipino helpers average $911/month at the senior tier (10+ years), while entry-level helpers average $776/month.
Filipino helpers declare expected salaries of $776/month at entry level (0–2 years), rising to $911/month for those with 10+ years experience. Most experienced Filipino helpers expect $850 or above.
Indonesian helpers on Employhelpers.com expect between $761/month (1–2 years experience) and $886/month (10+ years). At the senior tier, Indonesian helpers are within $25/month of their Filipino counterparts.
Marginally. At entry level the difference is small — $776 (Filipino) vs $761 (Indonesian). At 10+ years the gap narrows to just $25/month ($911 vs $886). Experience level matters far more than nationality when it comes to salary.
Singapore does not legislate a minimum salary for Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs). However, based on real helper profiles for direct hire, the practical floor in 2026 is around $600–$650/month for entry-level helpers. Offering below this will significantly limit your options.
Across both Filipino and Indonesian helpers, the experience premium is consistently $130–$140/month between entry level and 10+ years. That’s roughly $1,600/year extra for a highly experienced helper.
No. These figures are self-declared salary expectations from helpers themselves, sourced directly from 1,006 profiles on Employhelpers.com.
This report is published annually. The current edition covers Q1 2026, based on profiles on Employhelpers.com at time of publication.
Leonard started Employhelpers.com to make hiring a domestic helper simpler, fairer, and more affordable. He helps families skip agency markups by connecting directly with domestic helpers.
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