COST GUIDE · 2026 · UAE · MOHRE-VERIFIED

Filipino Maid Salary in UAE 2026 — Full Cost Breakdown

Filipino maid salaries in the UAE range from AED 1,800 to AED 2,800 per month in 2026, with a median of AED 2,000 for new placements. Below: the full cost structure, total first-year budget, and how rates compare to other nationalities.

AED 2,000

Median monthly salary (live-in, new)

AED 40,000

Typical total first-year cost

+7% YoY

Salary growth vs 2025

Filipino maid monthly salary ranges by experience (2026)

Based on our 2026 audit of 60+ UAE Tadbeer centres recruiting Filipino workers. All values in AED. Salaries are paid directly to the worker; Tadbeer fees are separate (see total cost breakdown below).

Experience / Role	Low (AED)	High (AED)	Notes
New (0–2 years)	1,800	2,200	First UAE placement, POEA-trained
Experienced (2–5 years)	2,000	2,500	Prior UAE / GCC experience
Senior (5+ years)	2,200	2,800	Multi-family, complex household management
Nanny (childcare focus)	2,300	2,900	ECE training preferred, +AED 200-400 for newborn care
Cook (Filipino + international cuisine)	2,400	3,000	Specialized culinary training
Part-time (per hour)	40	70	Per-hour rate (typical 4-hour visits)

Total first-year cost breakdown (typical)

For a new Filipino maid placement in the UAE, here is what you actually pay in year 1. Figures are typical and may vary by emirate, Tadbeer centre, and exact contract terms.

Cost item	AED
Annual salary (12 × median AED 2,000)	24,000
Tadbeer service fee (one-time)	6,000
POEA / DMW source-country fee (pass-through)	3,500
Entry visa + MOHRE permit	2,200
Medical examination (DHA)	700
Emirates ID issuance	400
Mandatory health insurance (1 year)	1,000
Replacement warranty extension (optional)	1,500
Year 1 total	39,300 AED

Approximately USD 10,708 at AED 3.67 = USD 1. Year 2 onwards drops by AED 14,000-18,000 (no Tadbeer fee, no POEA fee, lower visa renewal).

How Filipino salaries compare to other nationalities

Filipino maids are the highest-paid domestic worker nationality in the UAE. Here is the 2026 comparison for median monthly live-in salary in the UAE:

Filipino: AED 2,000/month (highest, due to DMW minimum)
Indonesian: AED 1,600/month (–20% vs Filipino)
Sri Lankan: AED 1,500/month (–25%)
Ethiopian: AED 1,400/month (–30%)
Ugandan: AED 1,350/month (–32%)
Bangladeshi: AED 1,250/month (–37%, lowest)

The premium for Filipino workers is driven by enforced wage floors, English fluency, and demand from expat families who prefer Filipino language and cultural familiarity. For the full salary comparison across all 6 GCC countries and 8 nationalities, see the 2026 GCC Salary Report.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum salary for a Filipino maid in the UAE in 2026?▾

The Philippine government's Department of Migrant Workers (DMW, formerly POEA) sets a minimum salary floor of USD 400 per month for Filipino domestic workers in the UAE, which converts to approximately AED 1,470. However, market rates start at AED 1,800/month for new placements and typically range AED 1,800–2,200 for entry-level Filipino maids. Experienced workers command AED 2,500+ and senior household managers can reach AED 2,800–3,000/month.

Why are Filipino maids the most expensive nationality in the UAE?▾

Three reasons: (1) the Philippine government enforces a strict minimum wage floor through bilateral agreement with the UAE, (2) Filipino workers typically arrive with prior household training and English fluency, which UAE employers value highly, and (3) demand from expat families consistently exceeds supply. The combination drives Filipino maid salaries about 25-50% above other nationalities (e.g., Ethiopian or Bangladeshi workers).

How much is the total first-year cost of hiring a Filipino maid in the UAE?▾

Typical total first-year cost is AED 35,000–48,000 (USD 9,500–13,000). This includes 12 months of salary (AED 24,000–32,000), Tadbeer service fees (AED 4,500–8,000), entry visa and medical (AED 2,200–3,500), Emirates ID (AED 400), and mandatory health insurance (AED 700–1,500). Most families budget AED 40,000 conservatively for the first year.

Do I need to pay a Filipino maid in cash or via bank transfer?▾

MOHRE rules require salary payment to be documented. Many Tadbeer centres now require electronic transfer to the worker's bank account for traceability — this also protects you in any future dispute. Cash payments are technically allowed but discouraged. Always issue and keep a signed monthly salary receipt regardless of payment method.

Are there cheaper alternatives to a Filipino maid in the UAE?▾

Yes. Ethiopian and Ugandan workers typically cost AED 1,200–1,600/month (vs Filipino AED 1,800–2,200). Bangladeshi workers are the most affordable at AED 1,000–1,500/month. Indonesian workers are mid-range at AED 1,400–1,800. Each nationality has trade-offs in language fluency, training background, and bilateral agreement protections. The full salary comparison across all nationalities is in our 2026 GCC Salary Report.

Can a Filipino maid switch sponsors in the UAE?▾

Yes, under specific MOHRE rules. The worker can transfer to a new sponsor with mutual consent and approval from her current sponsor and MOHRE. The Tadbeer centre handles the transfer paperwork. Transfer is more common after the 2-year initial contract expires than during it.

Where can I find verified Tadbeer centres that recruit Filipino workers?▾

Browse our UAE Tadbeer directory at https://www.gccdomestic.com/agencies/uae — filter by 'Filipino' to see only centres with active Philippine recruitment licenses. Every listing includes the centre's MOHRE license number and is verified against the official register.

What is the average Filipino maid salary in Abu Dhabi vs Dubai?▾

Salaries are nearly identical across UAE emirates — AED 1,800–2,200 median for live-in Filipino maids. Tadbeer fees may differ slightly (Abu Dhabi centres average AED 500-1,000 higher in service fees), but actual salaries paid to workers don't vary meaningfully by emirate.

Ready to hire a Filipino maid in the UAE?

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Published 27 May 2026 · Author: Ibrahim Kedir, Founder of GCC Domestic. Salary data based on our 2026 audit of 60+ UAE Tadbeer centres recruiting Filipino workers, the Philippine DMW minimum wage policy, and the UAE-Philippines bilateral labour agreement. Updated annually.