Singapore Maid Levy & Salary Calculator 2026 — Calculate Your Total Monthly & Annual Cost of Employing a Foreign Domestic Worker
Select your applicable levy rate, enter your helper’s monthly salary and other recurring costs — calculator shows your complete total monthly cost and projected annual cost of employing a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) in Singapore.
Enter your details to calculate your total maid cost
Levy + salary + other costs → total monthly → annual → PDF
Singapore Maid Levy & Salary 2026 — Understanding the Complete Cost of Employing an FDW
Employing a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) in Singapore involves several distinct, recurring monthly cost components: the government-mandated monthly levy (which varies significantly based on whether your household qualifies for the concessionary rate), the helper’s monthly salary, and various other recurring costs like food allowance and insurance. This calculator combines all these components to show your complete, all-in monthly and annual cost of employment, helping Singapore families budget accurately for this significant household expense.
Standard vs Concessionary Levy (Illustrative)
| Levy Type | Monthly Rate | Qualifying Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Levy | S$300/month | Default rate for most employing households |
| Concessionary Levy | S$60/month | Households with young children, elderly members (typically 67+), or persons with disabilities |
These figures are illustrative reference points only — always verify current, exact levy rates and concessionary qualifying criteria directly at the official Ministry of Manpower (MOM) channels.
How This Maid Levy & Salary Calculator Works
Select Levy Type
Choose standard or concessionary, based on whether your household qualifies for the reduced rate.
Enter Monthly Salary
Enter your helper’s actual or expected monthly salary.
Enter Other Costs
Enter other recurring monthly costs like food allowance and insurance.
See Total Cost
Review your complete total monthly cost and projected annual cost.
3 Singapore Maid Cost Examples — The Concessionary Levy’s Real Impact, a Full Standard-Rate Budget & the Annual Cost Reality
Example 1: The Concessionary Levy’s Substantial Monthly Savings
Example 2: A Full Standard-Rate Monthly Budget
Example 3: The Annual Cost Reality — Why Multiplying by 12 Matters for Planning
3 Expert Tips — Verifying Concessionary Eligibility Proactively, Budgeting for Annual Costs Beyond This Calculator & Comparing Total Cost Against Childcare Alternatives
Proactively Verify Your Concessionary Levy Eligibility Rather Than Assuming the Standard Rate
As illustrated in detail in Example 1, the concessionary levy represents a substantial, recurring monthly savings opportunity — yet some eligible families may default to paying the standard rate simply due to uncertainty about their qualification status: why proactive verification matters: the qualifying criteria (young children, elderly household members, persons with disabilities) cover a meaningfully broad range of household circumstances, meaning more families may qualify than initially assume; how to verify your specific eligibility: check the current, official concessionary levy qualifying criteria directly at the official MOM website, and ensure your application for the FDW levy specifically applies for the concessionary rate if you genuinely qualify, rather than automatically defaulting to the standard rate; the practical recommendation: before finalising your FDW employment arrangement and levy application, proactively verify whether your household qualifies for the concessionary rate, since this represents one of the most straightforward, substantial cost-reduction opportunities available for Singapore families employing a domestic helper.
Budget for One-Time and Periodic Costs Beyond This Calculator’s Recurring Monthly Focus
This calculator specifically models recurring monthly costs (levy, salary, and ongoing other costs), but employing an FDW also involves several one-time or periodic costs worth budgeting for separately: one-time costs to anticipate: agency fees (if using an employment agency), initial work permit application costs, and security bond/insurance setup costs at the start of employment; periodic costs to anticipate: medical check-up costs (typically required periodically), potential annual leave/home-flight costs depending on your specific employment terms, and periodic insurance renewal costs; the practical recommendation: when budgeting for your FIRST year of FDW employment specifically, add a reasonable buffer for these one-time setup costs on top of this calculator’s recurring monthly total, while subsequent years’ budgeting can rely more closely on this calculator’s ongoing, recurring monthly cost estimate alone.
Compare This Total Cost Against Childcare or Eldercare Alternatives for a Complete Decision Picture
For families specifically considering an FDW primarily for childcare or eldercare support, comparing this calculator’s total cost against alternative care arrangements provides valuable decision-making context: relevant comparison points: for childcare-focused needs, compare this total cost against the companion Childcare Subsidy Calculator’s net childcare centre costs, or the Infant Care vs Nanny Cost Comparison calculator elsewhere in this family silo, to understand the relative cost-effectiveness of different care arrangement options for your specific family situation; why this comparison matters: an FDW’s total cost (as calculated by this tool) often covers broader household duties beyond just childcare specifically (general housework, cooking, and other domestic support), meaning a direct cost comparison against childcare-only alternatives should account for this broader value, rather than treating the comparison as purely apples-to-apples; the practical recommendation: when evaluating whether an FDW arrangement makes sense for your specific family’s needs, use this calculator’s total cost alongside the companion childcare-alternative calculators, while also weighing the broader household-support value an FDW typically provides beyond childcare alone.
16 FAQs — Singapore Maid Levy & Salary 2026, Concessionary Eligibility & Cost Components
What specifically qualifies a household for the concessionary FDW levy rate?
CONCESSIONARY levy ELIGIBILITY — Singapore 2026: the SPECIFIC, official QUALIFYING criteria FOR the CONCESSIONARY FDW LEVY rate GENERALLY include HOUSEHOLDS with YOUNG children (TYPICALLY below A specific AGE threshold), ELDERLY household MEMBERS (typically AGED 67 AND above), OR persons WITH disabilities WITHIN the HOUSEHOLD — the COMPLETE, precise QUALIFYING criteria AND age THRESHOLDS should BE verified DIRECTLY at THE official Ministry OF Manpower (MOM) CHANNELS, since THIS calculator’S illustrative FRAMEWORK provides A general REFERENCE rather THAN the PRECISE, complete OFFICIAL eligibility DETAILS; why VERIFICATION matters: as DISCUSSED in DETAIL in THE first EXPERT tip, MANY households MAY qualify FOR this SUBSTANTIAL levy REDUCTION without REALISING it, MAKING proactive VERIFICATION of YOUR specific ELIGIBILITY a GENUINELY valuable STEP before DEFAULTING to THE standard RATE.
Does the concessionary levy require ongoing renewal, or is it a one-time qualification?
CONCESSIONARY levy — ONE-time qualification OR ongoing RENEWAL? 2026: the SPECIFIC, official PROCESS regarding WHETHER concessionary LEVY qualification REQUIRES periodic RE-verification OR renewal (PARTICULARLY relevant AS qualifying CIRCUMSTANCES change OVER time — e.g., A child AGING beyond THE qualifying THRESHOLD, or AN elderly HOUSEHOLD member’S STATUS changing) should BE verified DIRECTLY at THE official MOM CHANNELS; why THIS matters FOR ongoing BUDGETING: if YOUR qualifying CIRCUMSTANCE is TIME-limited (such AS a CHILD’S age-BASED qualification), your CONCESSIONARY rate MIGHT eventually TRANSITION to THE standard RATE once YOUR specific QUALIFYING circumstance NO longer APPLIES — proactively UNDERSTAND this TRANSITION timing TO accurately BUDGET for YOUR household’S LONGER-term FDW cost TRAJECTORY, rather THAN assuming YOUR concessionary RATE remains PERMANENTLY fixed REGARDLESS of CHANGING household CIRCUMSTANCES.
Is the FDW’s salary subject to any minimum wage requirement in Singapore?
FDW salary — MINIMUM wage REQUIREMENTS 2026: the SPECIFIC, official RULES regarding WHETHER Singapore IMPOSES a FORMAL, mandated MINIMUM salary REQUIREMENT specifically FOR FDWs (as OPPOSED to MARKET-rate salary NEGOTIATION between EMPLOYER and HELPER, often INFLUENCED by THE helper’S specific SOURCE country, EXPERIENCE, and SPECIFIC skills) should BE verified DIRECTLY at THE official MOM CHANNELS; general CONSIDERATION: FDW salaries IN Singapore TYPICALLY reflect A market-BASED negotiation PROCESS influenced BY factors LIKE the HELPER’S nationality, EXPERIENCE level, AND specific SKILLS, rather THAN a SINGLE, fixed MINIMUM wage FIGURE applicable UNIFORMLY across ALL FDW employment ARRANGEMENTS; the PRACTICAL recommendation: research CURRENT, typical SALARY ranges (this CALCULATOR’S illustrative S$550-S$750 RANGE provides A general REFERENCE point) specifically RELEVANT to YOUR helper’S particular SOURCE country AND experience LEVEL, while VERIFYING any SPECIFIC, official minimum-WAGE requirements THAT might APPLY directly AT the OFFICIAL MOM channels.
Does this calculator account for the FDW’s day-off entitlement and any related compensation if days off are forgone?
DAY-OFF entitlement AND compensation — does THIS calculator INCLUDE this? 2026: NO — this CALCULATOR specifically FOCUSES on THE core, RECURRING monthly COST components (LEVY, salary, AND other COSTS), without SEPARATELY modelling ANY specific COMPENSATION arrangements RELATED to the HELPER’S day-OFF entitlement (which Singapore EMPLOYMENT regulations TYPICALLY require, with SPECIFIC compensation RULES if SPECIFIC days OFF are MUTUALLY agreed TO be forgone); why THIS matters FOR complete BUDGETING: if YOUR specific EMPLOYMENT arrangement INVOLVES compensating YOUR helper FOR forgone DAYS off (RATHER than PROVIDING the STANDARD day-OFF entitlement), this WOULD represent AN additional COST beyond THIS calculator’S core LEVY-plus-salary-plus-other-COSTS framework; the PRACTICAL recommendation: if YOUR specific ARRANGEMENT involves DAY-off compensation, INCLUDE this AS part OF your “OTHER Monthly COSTS” input, ENSURING this CALCULATOR’S total COST output ACCURATELY reflects YOUR complete, SPECIFIC employment ARRANGEMENT rather THAN omitting THIS potentially MEANINGFUL cost COMPONENT.
If I employ more than one FDW simultaneously, does this calculator need to be run separately for each, or does the levy structure change?
MULTIPLE FDWs — does THE levy STRUCTURE change FOR additional HELPERS? 2026: the SPECIFIC, official RULES regarding WHETHER employing MULTIPLE FDWs SIMULTANEOUSLY within THE same HOUSEHOLD involves A different LEVY structure FOR additional HELPERS (potentially A HIGHER levy RATE for A second OR subsequent FDW, REFLECTING typical POLICY approaches IN comparable REGULATORY contexts) should BE verified DIRECTLY at THE official MOM CHANNELS, since THIS calculator’S simplified FRAMEWORK specifically MODELS a SINGLE-FDW employment SCENARIO; how TO use THIS calculator FOR multiple FDWs: if YOUR household EMPLOYS multiple FDWs SIMULTANEOUSLY, verify THE specific, OFFICIAL levy STRUCTURE applicable TO each SPECIFIC helper (WHICH may DIFFER for ADDITIONAL helpers BEYOND the FIRST), then RUN this CALCULATOR separately FOR each HELPER using THEIR specific, APPLICABLE levy RATE and SALARY, combining THE results FOR your HOUSEHOLD’S complete, MULTI-helper total COST picture; the PRACTICAL recommendation: don’T assume THE same LEVY rate AUTOMATICALLY applies UNIFORMLY across MULTIPLE FDWs within THE same HOUSEHOLD — verify THE specific, OFFICIAL levy STRUCTURE for EACH additional HELPER directly AT official MOM CHANNELS before CALCULATING your COMPLETE, multi-HELPER total COST.
Does this calculator’s salary input need to reflect the helper’s gross salary, or their net take-home amount after any deductions?
GROSS vs NET salary — which SHOULD this CALCULATOR’S input REFLECT? 2026: this CALCULATOR’S “Monthly SALARY” input SPECIFICALLY expects THE actual, AGREED monthly SALARY amount YOU pay YOUR helper DIRECTLY (the FIGURE specified IN your EMPLOYMENT agreement WITH the HELPER), RATHER than A separate GROSS-versus-net DISTINCTION that MIGHT apply TO standard LOCAL employment ARRANGEMENTS involving CPF contributions AND income TAX withholding (which GENERALLY don’T apply TO FDW employment IN the SAME way); why THIS distinction GENERALLY doesn’T apply HERE: unlike STANDARD local EMPLOYMENT (where GROSS salary MINUS CPF and TAX produces NET take-HOME pay), FDW SALARY arrangements TYPICALLY involve A single, DIRECTLY-agreed salary FIGURE paid DIRECTLY to THE helper, WITHOUT the SAME gross-VERSUS-net distinction THAT applies TO standard LOCAL employment STRUCTURES; the PRACTICAL recommendation: simply ENTER the ACTUAL, agreed MONTHLY salary FIGURE specified IN your EMPLOYMENT arrangement WITH your HELPER as THIS calculator’S salary INPUT, without NEEDING to SEPARATELY distinguish BETWEEN gross AND net FIGURES the WAY you MIGHT for STANDARD local EMPLOYMENT salary CALCULATIONS.
Are there any tax relief or deduction benefits specifically for households employing an FDW, similar to other family-related tax reliefs covered on this site?
FDW-RELATED tax RELIEF — does THIS exist SEPARATELY from THIS calculator’S cost FOCUS? 2026: this CALCULATOR specifically FOCUSES on THE direct, OUT-of-pocket cost OF employing AN FDW (LEVY, salary, OTHER costs), without SEPARATELY addressing WHETHER any SPECIFIC income-TAX relief OR deduction MECHANISM exists FOR households EMPLOYING an FDW (DISTINCT from THE other FAMILY-related tax RELIEFS covered THROUGHOUT this SITE, such AS WMCR); general CONSIDERATION: SOME jurisdictions OFFER specific TAX relief MECHANISMS related TO foreign DOMESTIC worker LEVY payments SPECIFICALLY (sometimes CALLED a “FOREIGN Domestic WORKER Levy RELIEF” or SIMILAR) — verify WHETHER Singapore SPECIFICALLY offers SUCH a RELIEF mechanism DIRECTLY at THE official IRAS CHANNELS, since THIS calculator doesn’T MODEL or ASSUME any SUCH tax-RELIEF benefit WITHIN its CORE cost-CALCULATION methodology; the PRACTICAL recommendation: if YOU discover THAT Singapore DOES offer A specific tax-RELIEF mechanism RELATED to FDW LEVY payments (verify THIS directly AT official IRAS CHANNELS), consider THIS as AN additional, SEPARATE financial CONSIDERATION beyond THIS calculator’S core, DIRECT-cost-focused output.
How frequently does the standard or concessionary levy rate get reviewed or adjusted by the government?
LEVY rate REVIEW frequency — Singapore 2026: SIMILAR to THE periodic-REVIEW pattern DISCUSSED throughout THIS broader FAMILY calculator SERIES regarding OTHER government SCHEME parameters, FDW levy RATES (both STANDARD and CONCESSIONARY) are SUBJECT to PERIODIC government REVIEW and POTENTIAL adjustment, RATHER than BEING permanently, INDEFINITELY fixed FIGURES; why THIS matters FOR ongoing ACCURACY: this CALCULATOR’S illustrative LEVY figures (S$300 STANDARD, S$60 CONCESSIONARY) represent A general REFERENCE point THAT should BE periodically RE-verified against THE current, OFFICIAL rates AT the OFFICIAL MOM channels, PARTICULARLY following ANY recent SINGAPORE Budget ANNOUNCEMENT or SPECIFIC policy REVIEW that MIGHT adjust THESE specific RATES; the PRACTICAL recommendation: periodically VERIFY the CURRENT, official LEVY rates DIRECTLY at THE official MOM CHANNELS, particularly IF SIGNIFICANT time HAS passed SINCE your INITIAL calculation OR following ANY recent, RELEVANT policy ANNOUNCEMENTS, rather THAN assuming THIS calculator’S illustrative DEFAULT figures WILL remain PERMANENTLY, indefinitely ACCURATE without PERIODIC re-VERIFICATION.
Does this calculator’s “other monthly costs” input have a recommended typical range I should use as a starting reference?
“OTHER monthly COSTS” — typical RANGE reference 2026: while THIS specific FIGURE varies CONSIDERABLY based ON your SPECIFIC household’S CIRCUMSTANCES, COMMON components WITHIN this CATEGORY typically INCLUDE food ALLOWANCE, amortised INSURANCE costs, and OTHER smaller, RECURRING costs SPECIFIC to YOUR arrangement. Why A single, UNIVERSAL recommended RANGE isn’T PROVIDED: these COSTS vary CONSIDERABLY based ON your SPECIFIC food-PROVISION arrangement, YOUR specific INSURANCE plan CHOICE, and OTHER household-SPECIFIC factors. The PRACTICAL recommendation: calculate YOUR own, SPECIFIC “other MONTHLY costs” figure BY itemising YOUR actual, PLANNED food ALLOWANCE, amortised INSURANCE premium, AND any OTHER specific, RECURRING costs RELEVANT to YOUR particular EMPLOYMENT arrangement.
If my helper’s salary increases during their employment (e.g., annual increment), should I recalculate this tool periodically?
SALARY increases AND periodic RECALCULATION — Singapore 2026: YES — CONSISTENT with THE periodic-REVIEW recommendations THROUGHOUT this BROADER family CALCULATOR series, IF you PROVIDE your HELPER with PERIODIC salary INCREMENTS, you SHOULD re-RUN this CALCULATOR with YOUR updated SALARY figure. Why THIS matters: a STATIC, never-UPDATED calculation BASED on YOUR helper’S INITIAL salary WOULD increasingly UNDERSTATE your ACTUAL, current TOTAL cost AS salary INCREMENTS accumulate OVER multiple YEARS of CONTINUED employment. The PRACTICAL recommendation: whenever YOU implement A salary INCREMENT, re-RUN this CALCULATOR with THE updated SALARY figure to MAINTAIN an ACCURATE, current UNDERSTANDING of YOUR total MONTHLY and ANNUAL cost.
Does the levy rate differ based on the helper’s specific nationality or source country?
LEVY rate AND helper NATIONALITY — does THIS factor IN? 2026: this CALCULATOR’S simplified FRAMEWORK models THE levy RATE based SPECIFICALLY on YOUR household’S QUALIFYING status, WITHOUT separately MODELLING any POTENTIAL levy-RATE variation based ON your HELPER’S specific NATIONALITY. Why THIS simplification IS generally REASONABLE: the LEVY mechanism IS generally STRUCTURED around YOUR household’S QUALIFYING circumstances, RATHER than VARYING based ON the SPECIFIC nationality OF the HELPER you’VE employed. The PRACTICAL recommendation: verify WHETHER any NATIONALITY-specific levy VARIATION exists DIRECTLY at THE official MOM CHANNELS if YOU have SPECIFIC reason TO believe THIS might APPLY.
Should I budget for a higher “other monthly costs” figure if my helper provides specialised eldercare for a family member with specific medical needs?
SPECIALISED eldercare NEEDS — adjusting YOUR “other COSTS” input 2026: YES — if YOUR helper IS specifically PROVIDING specialised ELDERCARE support FOR a FAMILY member WITH specific, MEANINGFUL medical OR care NEEDS, this MIGHT reasonably INVOLVE additional, SPECIFIC costs WORTH incorporating INTO your “OTHER Monthly COSTS” input. Potential ADDITIONAL costs TO consider: caregiving-RELATED training OR certification COSTS, specialised CARE equipment OR supplies, OR other SPECIFIC, meaningful costs DIRECTLY related TO this SPECIALISED caregiving ROLE beyond STANDARD household DUTIES. The PRACTICAL recommendation: if YOUR specific ARRANGEMENT involves GENUINE, specialised ELDERCARE or OTHER specific CARE needs, incorporate ANY meaningfully ADDITIONAL, specific COSTS into YOUR “OTHER Monthly COSTS” input FOR a MORE accurate, COMPLETE total COST picture.
How does this calculator’s total cost compare to the broader concept of household budgeting covered elsewhere on this site?
THIS calculator’S OUTPUT within YOUR broader HOUSEHOLD budget — Singapore 2026: this CALCULATOR specifically PROVIDES your TOTAL FDW-related MONTHLY and ANNUAL cost AS a SPECIFIC, isolated FIGURE, which YOU should THEN incorporate INTO your FAMILY’S broader, COMPREHENSIVE household BUDGET planning ALONGSIDE other MAJOR recurring EXPENSES covered throughout THIS site’S broader CALCULATOR ecosystem. Why THIS integration MATTERS: viewing YOUR FDW cost IN complete ISOLATION from YOUR family’S BROADER financial PICTURE risks UNDERSTATING its TRUE proportional IMPACT on YOUR overall HOUSEHOLD budget. The PRACTICAL recommendation: use THIS calculator’S specific, ACCURATE FDW cost OUTPUT as ONE important INPUT within YOUR family’S BROADER, comprehensive HOUSEHOLD budget PLANNING process.
Does this calculator account for any specific costs related to the helper’s accommodation within the employer’s household?
ACCOMMODATION-related COSTS — does THIS calculator INCLUDE these SPECIFICALLY? 2026: this CALCULATOR’S “OTHER Monthly COSTS” input CAN reasonably INCORPORATE any SPECIFIC, meaningful ACCOMMODATION-related costs YOUR household INCURS, though THIS calculator doesn’T SEPARATELY, automatically CALCULATE such COSTS as A distinct LINE item. General CONSIDERATION: since FDWs TYPICALLY reside WITHIN their EMPLOYER’S household, the SPECIFIC, incremental COST is OFTEN difficult TO precisely ISOLATE, and MANY families REASONABLY treat THIS as PART of THEIR existing HOUSEHOLD costs. The PRACTICAL recommendation: if YOU genuinely WANT to INCORPORATE a SPECIFIC, estimated ACCOMMODATION-related cost, include A reasonable ESTIMATE within YOUR “Other MONTHLY Costs” input.
If I’m comparing FDW employment against other care options, does this calculator account for the value of flexibility and availability an FDW provides?
FLEXIBILITY and AVAILABILITY value — does THIS calculator QUANTIFY this? 2026: NO — this CALCULATOR specifically QUANTIFIES the DIRECT, financial COST of FDW EMPLOYMENT, without SEPARATELY attempting TO quantify THE genuine, THOUGH harder-TO-monetise, VALUE of flexibility AND availability AN FDW typically PROVIDES compared TO more SCHEDULE-restricted alternatives. Why THIS qualitative FACTOR matters: an FDW’S broader HOUSEHOLD-support value represents A genuine, THOUGH difficult-TO-precisely-quantify, BENEFIT worth CONSIDERING alongside THE pure dollar COST comparison. The PRACTICAL recommendation: use THIS calculator’S precise, QUANTIFIED cost OUTPUT as ONE important INPUT, while ALSO explicitly, CONSCIOUSLY weighing THE genuine VALUE of flexibility AND broader HOUSEHOLD support.
Does this calculator’s framework apply equally to first-time FDW employers and those renewing or replacing an existing helper?
FIRST-TIME employers VS renewal/REPLACEMENT — does THIS calculator APPLY equally? 2026: YES — this CALCULATOR’S core, RECURRING monthly COST framework applies EQUALLY well WHETHER you’RE a FIRST-time FDW EMPLOYER or RENEWING/replacing AN existing HELPER arrangement, SINCE the UNDERLYING, ongoing MONTHLY cost STRUCTURE remains CONCEPTUALLY the SAME. Important DIFFERENCE worth NOTING: FIRST-time employers SPECIFICALLY should BUDGET additional ATTENTION toward ONE-time setup COSTS that WOULDN’T typically RECUR for AN employer SIMPLY renewing AN existing arrangement. The PRACTICAL recommendation: regardless OF your SPECIFIC situation, use THIS calculator’S core FRAMEWORK for YOUR ongoing, RECURRING monthly COST estimate, but FIRST-time employers SPECIFICALLY should ADDITIONALLY budget FOR one-TIME setup COSTS.
Related Singapore Family Calculators
Legal Disclaimer & Editorial Transparency
This Maid Levy & Salary Calculator provides an illustrative calculation based on default, general reference levy rates and salary ranges and does not represent official confirmation of your specific levy rate, concessionary eligibility, or applicable employment terms. Levy rates, concessionary qualifying criteria, and typical salary ranges are subject to change and periodic review; always verify current, exact figures directly at the official Ministry of Manpower (MOM) channels before relying on this information for financial planning. This calculator does not account for one-time costs (agency fees, work permit application costs) or certain periodic costs (medical check-ups, home-flight provisions). This calculator does not constitute financial or legal advice. SGFinanceCalculators.com is owned by MAFHH INTERNATIONAL LTD and is not affiliated with MOM or any government agency. No advertisements are displayed.