# Maid Salary in UAE 2026: Complete Guide by Nationality & Role
One of the most frequently searched questions by UAE families is: **how much should I pay my maid in 2026?** This comprehensive guide breaks down domestic worker salaries in UAE by nationality, role, and experience level — helping you budget fairly and avoid MoHRE disputes.
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## Is There a Minimum Wage for Maids in UAE?
The UAE government does **not** set a universal minimum wage for domestic workers. However, individual source country embassies set their own minimums for workers recruited directly from their home country. For workers already in UAE, market rates apply.
| Nationality | Embassy Minimum (from home country) |
|---|---|
| Filipino | USD 400 ≈ AED 1,470/month (DMW) |
| Indian | India's minimum referral wage, set per occupation on eMigrate (the Sept 2020 Covid rate was USD 200 ≈ AED 735; check the current figure before signing) |
| Sri Lankan | about AED 1,200/month (commonly required by agencies; not confirmed with SLBFE) |
| Indonesian | Placement closed (KP2MI moratorium) |
| Ethiopian | No fixed minimum (market rate) |
| Nepali | Not permitted (Nepal's Gulf domestic-work ban) |
| Bangladeshi | No fixed minimum |
Pay the salary within 10 days of its due date (Federal Decree-Law 9/2022, Art. 15). WPS is optional for housemaids, nannies, cooks and drivers, and mandatory only for five roles such as private tutor and personal healthcare provider (Ministerial Resolution 675/2022); a bank transfer still gives you proof of payment. Late payment is a MoHRE violation.
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## Maid Salary in UAE 2026 by Nationality
### 🇵🇭 Filipino Maid Salary UAE 2026
Full breakdown with experience tiers and Year-1 costs: [Filipino maid salary in the UAE 2026](/en/filipino-maid-salary-uae-2026/).
Filipino maids command the highest salaries in UAE due to high English proficiency and strong demand.
| Role | Monthly Salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 1,600 – 2,200 |
| Nanny / Babysitter | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Cook / Chef | 2,500 – 4,000 |
| Elderly Caregiver | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Live-Out / Part-Time | AED 40–60/hour |
### 🇮🇳 Indian Maid Salary UAE 2026
Indian maids offer strong value — experienced, English-speaking, and large local availability.
| Role | Monthly Salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 1,200 – 1,800 |
| Nanny | 1,800 – 2,800 |
| Cook | 2,000 – 3,500 |
| Elderly Caregiver | 1,800 – 2,800 |
| Live-Out / Part-Time | AED 30–50/hour |
### 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Maid Salary UAE 2026
Sri Lankan maids are known for loyalty and strong housekeeping skills.
| Role | Monthly Salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 1,200 – 1,600 |
| Nanny | 1,600 – 2,500 |
| Cook | 1,600 – 2,500 |
| Live-Out / Part-Time | AED 25–45/hour |
### 🇮🇩 Indonesian Maid Salary UAE 2026
> ⚠️ Indonesia (KP2MI) has not reopened placement of domestic workers with Gulf households; these figures apply only to workers already in the country.
Indonesian maids are popular with Muslim families and highly regarded for childcare.
| Role | Monthly Salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 1,400 – 1,800 |
| Nanny | 1,600 – 2,500 |
| Cook | 1,500 – 2,200 |
| Live-Out / Part-Time | AED 30–50/hour |
### 🇪🇹 Ethiopian Maid Salary UAE 2026
Ethiopian workers are the most affordable and fastest-growing nationality in UAE.
| Role | Monthly Salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 1,200 – 1,600 |
| Nanny | 1,200 – 1,800 |
| Cook Helper | 1,000 – 1,600 |
| Live-Out / Part-Time | AED 20–35/hour |
### 🇳🇵 Nepali Maid Salary UAE 2026
> ⚠️ Nepal does not currently permit women to take domestic work in the Gulf. These figures apply only to workers already in the UAE.
| Role | Monthly Salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 1,200 – 1,600 |
| Nanny | 1,200 – 1,800 |
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## Maid Salary in UAE 2026 by Role
Beyond nationality, the role and responsibilities significantly affect what you should pay:
| Role | Salary Range (AED/month) | Why Higher/Lower |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Live-In Housemaid | 1,200 – 2,200 | Standard household duties |
| Full-Time Live-Out Maid | 1,500 – 3,000 | No accommodation cost for employer |
| Part-Time / Hourly Maid | AED 25–60/hour | Flexibility premium |
| Nanny / Babysitter | 1,600 – 3,000 | Child safety responsibility |
| Newborn Specialist | 2,500 – 4,500 | High demand, specialised care |
| Personal Cook / Chef | 2,000 – 4,000 | Culinary skills premium |
| Elderly Caregiver | 1,800 – 3,500 | Medical care responsibility |
| Personal Driver | 2,000 – 4,500 | Driving license + experience |
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## What Factors Affect a Maid's Salary in UAE?
Understanding these factors helps you negotiate fairly:
**1. Experience**
Workers with 5+ years of verified UAE experience command 30–50% higher salaries than first-timers.
**2. Nationality**
Filipino workers generally earn the most due to English fluency and global demand. Ethiopian workers earn the least due to lower market competition.
**3. Live-In vs Live-Out**
Live-in maids often accept slightly lower cash salary since accommodation and meals are provided. Live-out workers negotiate higher cash salaries to cover their own housing.
**4. Specialised Skills**
Newborn care, special needs support, nursing certification, or culinary training can add AED 500–2,000 to monthly salary.
**5. Location**
Dubai and Abu Dhabi salaries are typically 10–20% higher than Sharjah, Ajman, or other emirates due to higher cost of living.
**6. Language Skills**
English-fluent workers or those who speak Arabic earn noticeably more than workers with limited communication skills.
---
## Employer Obligations Beyond Salary
Remember — salary is just one part of your total employment obligation under UAE law:
- **Health insurance** — mandatory, paid by employer (AED 800–2,000/year)
- **Annual leave** — 30 days after 1 year, with full pay
- **End-of-service gratuity** — no fixed rate in the current law (Federal Decree-Law 9/2022, Art. 22); the old 14-days-per-year rule came from Federal Law 10/2017, which Federal Decree-Law 9/2022 repealed. Check MoHRE's calculator and your contract
- **Weekly rest day** — minimum 1 day per week, non-negotiable
- **Sick leave** — up to 30 days per year: 15 days on full pay, then 15 on half pay (Federal Decree-Law 9/2022, Art. 10)
- **Annual flight home** — some contracts include a return ticket every 2 years
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## How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Maid in UAE Total?
Beyond the monthly salary, factor in these one-time hiring costs:
| Cost Item | Estimated (AED) |
|---|---|
| Agency / Tadbeer fee | 2,500 – 8,000 |
| Visa + Emirates ID + Medical | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Health insurance (first year) | 800 – 2,000 |
| Air ticket (if from abroad) | 400 – 1,500 |
| **Total One-Time Cost** | **AED 5,200 – 14,500** |
Tadbeer centre packages bundle these items and often cost more; see [Tadbeer fees in the UAE](/en/uae/tadbeer-fees/) before you budget.
Then add monthly salary + any allowances going forward.
---
## Frequently Asked Questions
**What is the average maid salary in Dubai 2026?**
A full-time live-in maid in Dubai earns AED 1,200–2,200/month depending on nationality and experience. Nannies and cooks earn more.
**Which nationality maid is cheapest to hire in UAE?**
Ethiopian maids generally have the lowest salary expectations at AED 1,200–1,600/month. They are also more affordable to hire due to lower agency fees and air ticket costs.
**Which nationality maid is most expensive in UAE?**
Filipino maids typically command the highest salaries (AED 1,600–2,200) due to high English proficiency and strong global demand.
**Can I pay my maid cash instead of bank transfer?**
Cash isn't prohibited for housemaids, nannies, cooks or drivers, but UAE law requires the salary within 10 days of its due date (Art. 15). WPS is optional for housemaids and mandatory only for five roles (Ministerial Resolution 675/2022); a bank transfer is still the safest proof of payment.
**Do I have to pay a maid on a trial period?**
Yes. Maids must be paid from day one of employment regardless of whether they are on a trial period. Withholding pay is a labor violation.
**What happens if I pay less than the embassy minimum?**
If you recruit directly from the source country, the embassy may refuse to attest the contract if the salary is below their minimum. For workers already in UAE, MoHRE may flag disputes if salaries are unreasonably low.
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## Find Verified Agencies on GCC Domestic
Browse 1,300+ government-verified domestic worker agencies across UAE and all GCC countries — free, no sign-up required.
- Browse UAE Agencies: www.gccdomestic.com/en/uae/
- Request a Worker by Nationality: www.gccdomestic.com/en/request-worker/
- Contact Support: www.gccdomestic.com/en/contact/
*Last updated: 25 October 2026 — market rates are GCC Domestic estimates.*
---
##
Caregiver salary in the UAE (2026)
An elderly caregiver in the UAE typically earns AED 1,800–3,000 per month, clearly above the housemaid range. Experience with mobility support, medication schedules and first aid pushes a candidate to the top of the band; certified caregivers and those with hospital or home-care backgrounds can exceed it.
The employer additionally covers the Tadbeer/MOHRE recruitment package, food, accommodation and insurance. Filipino caregivers command the highest rates — and a newly deployed Filipino caregiver must meet the Philippine DMW minimum of USD 400 (≈ AED 1,470). The USD 500 floor announced in DMW Advisory No. 25 (2025) does not apply in the Gulf: on 11 September 2025 the DMW exempted all six GCC states, leaving Gulf wages market-set above the USD 400 minimum. USD 500 applies to destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.
Full hiring steps: How to hire an elderly caregiver in the UAE.
Related Guides - [Complete Guide to Hiring Domestic Workers in UAE 2026](/en/blog/complete-guide-hiring-domestic-workers-uae-2026/) - [Maid Salary UAE 2026: Complete Guide by Nationality & Role](/en/blog/maid-salary-uae-2026-by-nationality-role/) - [Filipino Maid UAE: Complete Hiring Guide 2026](/en/blog/filipino-maids-uae-hiring-guide-2026/) - [Indian Maid UAE: Salary & Hiring Guide 2026](/en/blog/indian-maid-uae-salary-hiring-guide-2026/) - [Sri Lankan Maid UAE: Salary & Hiring Guide 2026](/en/blog/sri-lankan-maid-uae-salary-hiring-guide-2026/) - [Ethiopian Maid UAE: Complete Hiring Guide 2026](/en/blog/ethiopian-maid-uae-hiring-guide-2026/) - [Indonesian Maid UAE: Complete Hiring Guide 2026](/en/blog/indonesian-maid-uae-hiring-guide-2026/) - [UAE Domestic Worker Labour Law: Employer Guide 2026](/en/blog/uae-domestic-worker-labor-law-employer-guide-2026/) - [How to Choose the Right Maid Agency in UAE](/en/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-maid-agency-in-uae-5-key-steps/) - [Browse Verified UAE Agencies →](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/uae/) --- - [Rights and Responsibilities for Maids in the UAE: Insights for 2024](/en/blog/rights-and-responsibilities-for-maids-in-the-uae-insights-for-2024/) - [From Housemaid to Housekeeper in Kuwait (2026): Skills, Salary & Free Courses](/en/blog/from-housemaid-to-housekeeper-kuwait-2026/) - [DH Salary in Peso 2026 — All 6 GCC Countries](/en/blog/domestic-helper-dh-salary-in-peso-gcc-2026/) ## Related Guides - [Maid Visa Renewal in Dubai 2026: Steps, Documents & Cost](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/how-to-renew-your-housemaid-visa-in-dubai-complete-guide/) - [Maid Salary UAE 2026 by Nationality & Role](/en/blog/maid-salary-uae-2026-by-nationality-role/) - [Filipino Maid UAE: Complete Hiring Guide 2026](/en/blog/filipino-maids-uae-hiring-guide-2026/) - [Indian Maid UAE: Salary & Hiring Guide 2026](/en/blog/indian-maid-uae-salary-hiring-guide-2026/) - [Sri Lankan Maid UAE: Salary & Hiring Guide 2026](/en/blog/sri-lankan-maid-uae-salary-hiring-guide-2026/) - [Ethiopian Maid UAE: Complete Hiring Guide 2026](/en/blog/ethiopian-maid-uae-hiring-guide-2026/) - [Indonesian Maid UAE: Complete Hiring Guide 2026](/en/blog/indonesian-maid-uae-hiring-guide-2026/) - [Kenyan & Ugandan Workers GCC Guide 2026](/en/blog/kenyan-ugandan-domestic-workers-gcc-guide-2026/) - [Request a Worker by Nationality →](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/request-worker/) **Related guides:** [How much it really costs to hire a maid](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-maid-uae-2026/) · [Hire a private driver](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/how-to-hire-a-private-driver-uae-2026/) · [Hire a private cook](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/blog/how-to-hire-a-private-cook-uae-2026/) > 💱 **In Philippine pesos:** a Filipino housemaid's AED 1,600–2,200 salary is roughly **₱27,500–37,800** per month (BSP rate, 19 Oct 2026). Full guide: [Filipino maid guide](/en/blog/filipino-maids-uae-hiring-guide-2026/). ## Tools & Directories - [Maid Salary Calculator](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/maid-salary-calculator/)