Introduction
A live-in maid — also called a live-in housekeeper or live-in domestic helper — is a full-time worker who lives under your roof and is available to support your household day to day. For families juggling careers, young children, or elderly relatives, a live-in arrangement offers a level of continuity and peace of mind that simply cannot be matched by part-time help.
But hiring someone to share your home is a significant decision. Before you post a job listing or sign a contract, it pays to understand what the role actually involves, what it costs across different markets, what your legal obligations are as an employer, and how to find a candidate who is genuinely the right fit for your family.
This guide covers everything — from salary benchmarks in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai to accommodation rules, the live-in versus live-out trade-off, and the fastest way to find a live-in maid today.
What Does a Live-In Maid Do?
A live-in maid handles the day-to-day tasks that keep your household running. The exact scope depends on the family's needs, but a typical live-in housekeeper's responsibilities include:
Housekeeping
- Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and general cleaning
- Laundry, ironing, and putting away clothes
- Washing dishes and tidying the kitchen
- Grocery shopping or managing household supplies
Childcare
- Supervising children before and after school
- Preparing meals and snacks for children
- Managing the children's daily schedule (bath time, homework, bedtime routine)
- Accompanying children to school, parks, or activities
Cooking
- Preparing daily meals for the family
- Following dietary preferences or restrictions
Elderly or Special Care (where applicable)
- Assisting elderly family members with mobility, personal hygiene, and medication reminders
- Providing companionship and monitoring health
What is typically out of scope: A live-in maid is not a trained nurse, licensed driver (unless specifically hired as one), or professional caregiver with medical qualifications. Tasks requiring specialist certifications — such as administering injections or physical therapy — should not be delegated unless the helper has the relevant credentials.
A Typical Live-In Maid's Day
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Prepare breakfast, wake and dress children |
| 8:00 AM | School run or supervise older children leaving |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Housecleaning, laundry, grocery shopping |
| 12:00 PM | Prepare lunch |
| 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Rest or additional chores |
| 3:00 PM | Collect children from school |
| 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Childcare, homework supervision |
| 6:30 PM | Prepare dinner |
| 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Tidy up, help with children's bedtime |
This is a general guide — actual working hours and duties should always be written into the employment contract.
Live-In Maid Salary by Market
Salary is one of the most important factors to get right. Paying too little is both unfair and counterproductive — helpers who feel underpaid rarely stay long or perform at their best. Here is a market-by-market breakdown with real numbers.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, all foreign domestic workers (FDWs) are legally required to live with their employer. The Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) is currently HK$5,100 per month, set by the government and adjusted periodically.
In practice, many experienced helpers earn more:
- Entry-level / first-time helpers: HK$5,100–5,300
- Experienced helpers (3+ years): HK$5,500–6,500
- Specialised helpers (infant care, elderly care, bilingual): HK$6,500–7,500+
Total monthly cost for Hong Kong employers:
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly salary | HK$5,100–6,500 |
| Food allowance (if not provided in-kind) | HK$1,196 (statutory minimum) |
| Medical insurance | HK$200–400/month |
| Annual leave provision | ~HK$500/month (accrual) |
| Government levy | N/A (FDW levy waived in HK) |
| Estimated total monthly outlay | HK$7,000–8,500 |
Employers also pay a one-time cost of approximately HK$5,000–8,000 for the visa application, agency fee (if using an agency), and medical examination when the helper first arrives. Using an online platform like HelperEx can dramatically reduce this upfront cost — more on that below.
Singapore
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) regulates foreign domestic workers closely. There is no statutory minimum salary for FDWs, but market rates are well established.
- First-time helpers: SGD 600–700/month
- Experienced helpers: SGD 750–900/month
- Specialised caregivers or childcare professionals: SGD 900–1,100+/month
According to the 2025 salary survey data, the average monthly salary for an experienced maid in Singapore is around SGD 880, while first-time helpers average SGD 680. Filipino helpers generally earn at the higher end due to English proficiency and childcare experience; Indonesian and Myanmar helpers often start lower but see steady increases after gaining local experience.
Additional monthly costs for Singapore employers:
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly salary | SGD 680–1,100 |
| Foreign Domestic Worker Levy | SGD 300/month (standard) or SGD 60 (concessionary rate for families with young children or elderly) |
| Maid insurance (mandatory) | SGD 20–35/month |
| Security bond | SGD 5,000 (one-time, refundable) |
| Medical check-up (annual) | SGD 60–100 |
The levy is the single largest additional cost in Singapore. Families with children under 16 or elderly members may qualify for the concessionary levy rate of SGD 60/month — a saving of SGD 240/month worth checking.
Dubai / UAE
Dubai and the wider UAE have a well-established culture of live-in domestic help, and the arrangement is the norm rather than the exception. There is no government-mandated minimum salary, but market rates are:
- Live-in maid salary Dubai: AED 1,500–3,000/month
- Rates vary by nationality, experience, and specific duties
- Helpers with specialist skills (infant care, elderly care, cooking) command the upper end
Employers in the UAE are legally required to provide accommodation, meals, and healthcare coverage — these perks are factored into the lower cash salary relative to live-out arrangements. Live-out helpers in Dubai typically earn AED 2,000–4,000/month but cover their own housing, transport, and food costs.
Other UAE employer costs to factor in:
- MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources) registration and work permit fees
- Medical insurance (mandatory under UAE law)
- Annual return flight to helper's home country (required by law)
- End-of-service gratuity (accrues over the contract term)
Accommodation Requirements for Live-In Maids
Providing accommodation is not optional in any of the three markets — it is a legal and contractual requirement. What that accommodation must look like, however, differs by country.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong law requires employers to provide suitable accommodation for foreign domestic workers. Government guidelines specify that this must include a private room — the helper cannot be required to share a bedroom with children or other family members as her regular sleeping arrangement.
In practice, this means your home needs a dedicated room for the helper. In space-limited Hong Kong apartments, this is sometimes a maid's room off the kitchen, but it must be a proper enclosed space with a bed, adequate ventilation, and reasonable privacy. Employers cannot deduct rent from the helper's salary.
Singapore
MOM guidelines require Singapore employers to provide suitable accommodation that protects the helper's health, safety, and privacy. There is no rigid specification, but helpers should have:
- Their own sleeping space (not required to be a private room by law, but strongly recommended)
- Access to basic amenities (toilet, shower, adequate meals)
- Sufficient rest and downtime
In practice, most Singapore employers provide a dedicated room. MOM periodically conducts checks and employers found to be providing inadequate accommodation face penalties.
UAE / Dubai
UAE law requires employers to provide free accommodation as part of the standard domestic worker contract. For live-in maids, this means a room within the employer's home or an employer-arranged residence. The employer is also required to provide meals or a food allowance.
Live-In vs Live-Out: Key Differences
Not sure whether you need a live-in or live-out arrangement? Here is an honest comparison.
| Factor | Live-In Maid | Live-Out Maid |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | On-site, available for early mornings, late evenings, and overnight needs | Works set hours, leaves at the end of the shift |
| Convenience | Very high — no commute delays, immediate availability | Lower — dependent on helper's travel |
| Cost (salary) | Generally lower cash salary (accommodation is part of compensation) | Higher cash salary to cover helper's own housing costs |
| Privacy | Reduced — another adult lives in your home full-time | Higher — your home is private outside working hours |
| Commitment | High — requires suitable accommodation | Lower — no accommodation provision needed |
| Best for | Families with young children, infants, or elderly parents needing consistent daily care | Smaller households, couples, or families needing help a few days per week |
Important note by market:
- Hong Kong: Live-in is legally required for FDWs. All standard contracts are live-in. Live-out arrangements are only possible for local part-time workers.
- Singapore: Live-in is the norm for FDWs, though technically live-out is possible in limited circumstances (the employer must apply to MOM). The vast majority of FDWs in Singapore are live-in.
- UAE: Live-in is the standard arrangement for domestic workers. Most work permit structures assume live-in employment.
If you are hiring a foreign domestic helper in any of these three markets, assume that live-in is the default — and plan your home accordingly.
How to Find a Live-In Maid
There are two main paths: a traditional maid agency, or a direct-hire online platform.
Maid Agency
Agencies handle shortlisting, paperwork, and logistics on your behalf. They can be useful for first-time employers who want hand-holding through the process. However, agency fees are significant:
- Hong Kong: HK$10,000–20,000+ per placement
- Singapore: SGD 1,000–3,000 per placement
- UAE: Varies, typically AED 3,000–8,000
Agencies also act as a filter, which means you only see candidates they choose to present — not the full pool of available helpers.
Online Platform — HelperEx
HelperEx is a direct-hire platform that connects employers in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE directly with domestic helpers — without agency markups.
Here is how it works:
- Create your employer profile — describe your household, number of family members, duties required, and preferred start date.
- Subscribe — plans start from HK$399 for one month, with no hidden costs or placement fees.
- Search and filter — browse verified helper profiles using filters including nationality, experience, skills, salary range, and accommodation preference (live-in or live-out).
- Contact directly — reach out via WhatsApp with one click. No agency in the middle.
- Schedule interviews — use the built-in scheduler to arrange video or in-person interviews.
- Make an offer and process paperwork — HelperEx supports visa processing add-ons (from HK$350) and generates pre-filled government forms automatically.
The total cost of hiring via HelperEx — including a 2-month subscription and visa processing — is approximately HK$999–1,099, compared to HK$10,000–20,000 through a traditional agency. That is a saving of HK$10,000–18,000 per hire.
HelperEx also lets you filter specifically for helpers who prefer live-in arrangements, so you are only connecting with candidates whose expectations match yours from the start.
Conclusion
Hiring a live-in maid is one of the most impactful decisions a family can make. Done well, it frees you to focus on work, family time, and the things that matter — while your home and children are in capable, consistent hands.
The key steps: know what the role involves, budget accurately for salary and total costs in your market, ensure your accommodation meets legal requirements, and choose a hiring method that gives you access to the widest pool of qualified candidates at a fair price.
Ready to find your live-in maid? HelperEx makes it fast, affordable, and transparent. Browse verified helper profiles in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE — and connect directly with candidates in minutes.
Start your search on HelperEx →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical live-in maid salary in Dubai? Live-in maids in Dubai typically earn AED 1,500–3,000 per month, depending on experience, nationality, and specific duties. This is lower than live-out rates (AED 2,000–4,000) because the employer provides accommodation, meals, and healthcare as part of the package.
Is a live-in maid required to have their own room in Hong Kong? Yes. Hong Kong law requires employers to provide a private room for their foreign domestic worker. The helper cannot be required to share a bedroom with family members as her permanent sleeping arrangement. Adequate ventilation and privacy are required.
What is the minimum salary for a live-in maid in Hong Kong? The Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) for foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong is HK$5,100 per month. Most experienced helpers earn HK$5,500–6,500 per month, and specialists command more.
Can a foreign domestic worker in Singapore be live-out? Technically yes, but it is uncommon and requires MOM approval. The vast majority of foreign domestic workers in Singapore are live-in. If you specifically need a live-out arrangement, discuss this with MOM before proceeding.
What is the difference between a live-in maid and a live-in housekeeper? The terms are often used interchangeably. In most Asian and Middle Eastern markets, "maid", "domestic helper", and "housekeeper" all refer to the same role — a full-time household worker who assists with cleaning, cooking, childcare, and related duties. "Housekeeper" may sometimes imply a more senior or specialised role focused primarily on housekeeping rather than childcare, but this distinction is not formalised in employment contracts.
