# Maid Salary in Bahrain 2026: Complete Guide by Nationality & Role
This guide breaks down domestic worker salaries in Bahrain for 2026 — by nationality and role — plus full-time vs Flexi-Permit costs, the full cost of hiring beyond salary, what affects pay, and the legal basics under the LMRA.
---
## How Maid Salaries Work in Bahrain
Domestic workers in Bahrain (housemaids, nannies, cooks, drivers and caregivers) are regulated by the **Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA)** and hired through a licensed recruitment office under a **tripartite contract** (employer, worker and office). What drives the salary:
- **Nationality** and the worker's home-country minimum (the Philippines sets the highest).
- **Role and skills** — nanny, cook, driver and caregiver pay more than a general housemaid.
- **Experience, language and references.**
- **Full-time sponsorship vs Flexi-Permit** (part-time — see below).
There is no single statutory figure for every nationality, but you must pay at least the salary in the signed LMRA contract; paying less is a violation.
---
## Bahrain Maid Salary by Nationality 2026
> Typical 2026 market ranges per month.
### Filipino
| Role | Monthly (BHD) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 100 – 140 BHD |
| Nanny | 120 – 160 BHD |
> 💱 **In Philippine pesos:** a Filipino housemaid's BHD 100–140 salary is about **≈ ₱15,400–21,600** per month (approx., mid-2026 rates).
### Ethiopian
| Role | Monthly (BHD) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 60 – 90 BHD |
| Nanny | 70 – 100 BHD |
### Indonesian
| Role | Monthly (BHD) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 80 – 120 BHD |
| Nanny | 100 – 140 BHD |
### Indian
| Role | Monthly (BHD) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 70 – 110 BHD |
| Cook | 80 – 130 BHD |
| Driver | 90 – 150 BHD |
### Sri Lankan, Nepali & African
| Nationality | Housemaid (BHD/month) |
|---|---|
| Sri Lankan | 70 – 110 BHD |
| Nepali | 70 – 110 BHD |
| Kenyan / Ugandan | 55 – 90 BHD |
---
## Bahrain Maid Salary by Role
| Role | Range (BHD/month) |
|---|---|
| Housemaid | 60 – 130 BHD |
| Nanny | 80 – 160 BHD |
| Cook | 90 – 170 BHD |
| Driver | 100 – 180 BHD |
| Caregiver | 90 – 160 BHD |
---
## What Affects a Maid's Salary in Bahrain
- **Nationality & embassy minimum** — Filipino workers are the highest paid; African nationalities are usually the most affordable.
- **Experience & references** — verifiable Gulf experience commands more.
- **Skills** — cooking, childcare, elderly care and driving raise the rate.
- **Language** — English or Arabic adds value.
- **Full-time vs Flexi-Permit** — see the comparison below.
---
## Full-Time vs Flexi-Permit Cost Comparison
> **⚠️ Discontinued.** LMRA stopped issuing Bahrain's Flexi-Permit on **31 October 2022** and no new permits are available — the costs in this section no longer apply. Hiring a domestic worker now requires a standard sponsored LMRA work permit. [Full explanation](/en/blog/bahrain-flexi-permit-guide-2026/)
| Factor | Full Sponsorship | Flexi-Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Permit Cost | Included in agency fee | BHD 450/year |
| Monthly Salary | BHD 70–160 | Negotiated per session |
| Exclusivity | Full-time, one employer | Part-time, multiple employers |
| Admin Burden | Higher | Lower |
| Best For | Families needing full-time help | Small households, apartments |
---
## Total Cost to Hire a Maid in Bahrain (Beyond Salary)
For a **new full-time recruitment from abroad**, budget approximately — figures vary by office and nationality, so confirm the all-in price in writing:
| Item | Approx. cost (BHD) |
|---|---|
| Recruitment office fee | 600 – 1,200 |
| Visa, CPR & residency | 100 – 250 |
| Medical test & insurance | 50 – 120 |
| Flight (one-way) | 80 – 180 |
| **First-year total (excl. salary)** | **~800 – 1,600** |
On top of the salary, the employer provides **food, accommodation and medical care**. The **Flexi-Permit** (BHD 450/year) was the route for part-time/hourly help, but LMRA discontinued it on 31 October 2022 — full sponsorship is now the only route.
---
## How Salaries Are Paid — and the Legal Basics
- Salary is the **agreed monthly wage** under the LMRA tripartite contract; pay on time and keep records.
- The worker is entitled to a **weekly day of rest**, paid annual leave and end-of-service benefits.
- The employer provides **food, accommodation and medical care**.
- **Do not hold the worker's passport.**
- Disputes can be raised with the **LMRA**.
---
## Frequently asked questions
### How much is a maid's salary in Bahrain in 2026?
A Filipino housemaid earns about BHD 100–140 per month, Indian BHD 70–110, Indonesian BHD 80–120 and Ethiopian BHD 60–90. Nannies and cooks earn toward the top of each range.
### What is the difference between full sponsorship and a Flexi-Permit?
Full sponsorship is one full-time employer with a BHD 70–160/month salary. A Flexi-Permit (about BHD 450/year) let the worker work part-time for several households, but LMRA discontinued the scheme on 31 October 2022.
### How is the salary paid in Bahrain?
As a monthly wage under the LMRA tripartite contract. Pay on time and keep records in case of any dispute.
### How much does it cost to hire a maid in Bahrain?
Beyond salary, roughly BHD 800–1,600 in the first year for a new full-time recruitment (office fee, visa/CPR, medical, flight). A Flexi-Permit is a cheaper part-time alternative.
### Which is cheaper — full-time or Flexi-Permit?
For a few hours a week, a Flexi-Permit worker is cheaper and more flexible. For daily, full-time help, a sponsored live-in maid is more cost-effective overall.
---
## Maid salaries in other GCC countries
- [Maid Salary in Saudi Arabia 2026](/en/blog/saudi-maid-salary-by-nationality-2026/)
- [Maid Salary in Kuwait 2026](/en/blog/kuwait-maid-salary-by-nationality-2026/)
- [Maid Salary in Qatar 2026](/en/blog/qatar-maid-salary-by-nationality-2026/)
- [Maid Salary in Oman 2026](/en/blog/oman-maid-salary-by-nationality-2026/)
---
## Related Guides
- [Bahrain Domestic Worker Guide 2026](/en/blog/bahrain-domestic-worker-guide-2026-en/)
- [Hire Maid Manama 2026](/en/blog/hire-maid-manama-bahrain-2026/)
- [Bahrain Flexi-Permit Guide 2026](/en/blog/bahrain-flexi-permit-guide-2026/)
- [Bahrain End-of-Service Gratuity 2026](/en/blog/domestic-worker-end-of-service-gratuity-bahrain-2026/)
- [Browse Bahrain Agencies →](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/bahrain/)
*Last updated: June 21, 2026.*
- [دليل توظيف العمالة المنزلية في البحرين 2025](/en/blog/bahrain-domestic-worker-guide-2025/)
- [From Housemaid to Private Cook in Bahrain (2026): Skills, Salary & Free Courses](/en/blog/from-housemaid-to-private-cook-bahrain-2026/)
- [Filipino Maid in Bahrain 2026: Salary in Peso, DMW Rules & Hiring](/en/blog/filipino-maid-bahrain-2026/)
## Tools & Directories
- [Maid Salary Calculator](https://www.gccdomestic.com/en/maid-salary-calculator/)
Verified Bahrain Agencies
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