Do Experienced Helpers Earn More in Singapore?
Yes, on average. Helpers placed by We Are Caring who had worked in Singapore before averaged SGD 872 a month, against SGD 806 for helpers taking their first job here, across 4,681 placements from January 2022 to June 2026. In 2025 the difference was wider: SGD 892 against SGD 717.
By David Bensadon, Founder and Managing Director · EA personnel reg. no. R1552212
Published 4 November 2026 · Data January 2022 to June 2026 · 1 min read
Average monthly salary by experience in Singapore
| Experience | Placements | Average (SGD) | Median (SGD) | Middle 50% range (SGD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worked in Singapore before | 4,377 | 872 | 850 | 800–950 |
| First job in Singapore | 304 | 806 | 700 | 650–905 |
Every transfer helper has worked in Singapore before; every first-time helper was hired from abroad.
First-time helpers' average fell from SGD 931 in 2022 to SGD 717 in 2025 and SGD 671 in the first half of 2026, while that of helpers who had worked here before rose from SGD 853 to SGD 892. Among helpers hired from abroad, the two averages were close: SGD 798 for those who had worked in Singapore before and SGD 806 for first-time helpers.
The difference also depends on nationality: SGD 22 a month for Filipino helpers, SGD 212 for Indonesian helpers and SGD 187 for Burmese helpers.
What this means for families
A helper who has worked in Singapore before is most often a transfer helper, and transfer helpers averaged more. Among helpers hired from abroad, experience in Singapore went with almost no difference in the average. For a figure closer to your situation, filter by experience, nationality and hiring type together in the explorer.
FAQ
What counts as an experienced helper?
In this data, a helper who has worked in Singapore for at least one employer before. Every transfer helper is experienced; a helper hired from abroad may be experienced or taking her first job here.
How much does a first-time helper earn in Singapore?
First-time helpers placed by We Are Caring averaged SGD 806 a month from January 2022 to June 2026, across 304 placements, and SGD 671 in the first half of 2026. Half earned between SGD 650 and SGD 905 a month.
Does experience matter as much for every nationality?
No. In We Are Caring's data, the difference was SGD 22 a month for Filipino helpers, SGD 212 for Indonesian helpers and SGD 187 for Burmese helpers. The first-time Indonesian and Burmese groups are small: 22 and 40 placements.
