Transfer Helper or Hire from Abroad: How Salaries Compare
Transfer helpers placed by We Are Caring averaged SGD 883 a month, SGD 82 more than helpers hired from abroad (SGD 801), across 4,681 placements from January 2022 to June 2026. Helpers hired from abroad are not necessarily new to Singapore: 65% of them had worked here before.
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
Transfer helpers and helpers hired from abroad
| Hiring type | Placements | Average (SGD) | Median (SGD) | Middle 50% range (SGD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer helpers | 3,816 | 883 | 880 | 800–950 |
| Hired from abroad | 865 | 801 | 750 | 650–850 |
By nationality
| Nationality | Hiring type | Placements | Average (SGD) | Median (SGD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filipino | Transfer | 2,992 | 896 | 900 |
| Filipino | From abroad | 633 | 840 | 800 |
| Indonesian | Transfer | 624 | 850 | 850 |
| Indonesian | From abroad | 134 | 723 | 700 |
| Burmese | Transfer | 118 | 761 | 750 |
| Burmese | From abroad | 85 | 620 | 600 |
The gap has grown since 2022. That year, helpers hired from abroad averaged SGD 873, more than transfer helpers (SGD 858). In 2025, transfer helpers averaged SGD 912 and helpers hired from abroad SGD 770.
What this means for families
The salary is one difference between the two ways of hiring; the steps and the timing differ too. Our pages on hiring a transfer helper and hiring a helper from abroad explain how each works. For a figure closer to your situation, filter by hiring type and nationality together in the explorer.
FAQ
Why do transfer helpers earn more?
The data shows the difference, not its cause. Every transfer helper has already worked in Singapore, while 35% of the helpers hired from abroad were taking their first job here.
Has the difference changed over time?
Yes. In 2022, helpers hired from abroad averaged SGD 873 a month, more than transfer helpers (SGD 858). From 2024 transfer helpers averaged more: in 2025, SGD 912 against SGD 770.
How many helpers are hired from abroad?
In We Are Caring's data, 17% of placements in 2022, 22% in 2025 and 32% in the first half of 2026.
