Domestic Help Cost in India: Updated 2025 Guide for Salaries, Rules & Tips

Jun, 25 2025

If you’ve ever found yourself swapping stories with friends about what you pay your maid versus what your cousin pays in Delhi, you’re not alone. Domestic help in India isn’t just about housework—it’s a whole ecosystem where tradition, urban migration, and the local housing crunch all play a part. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to salaries and working arrangements. People haggle, whisper rates, and swap phone numbers as if trading state secrets. So, how much does it honestly cost to hire domestic help in India in 2025? Hang on, because the reality might surprise you.

The Many Faces of Domestic Help in India

The kind of help you need dramatically shapes what you’ll pay. In Indian households, jobs range from part-time cleaners to full-time live-in cooks, nannies who double as tutors, and everything in between. Some people employ a maid for a few hours a week to sweep and mop, while others go all out and hire separate cooks, childcare providers, and drivers. Jobs can be hyper-specific too, like someone to hand-wash only delicates or to water your 23 plants in the balcony (yes, really).

Part-timers usually come for a set number of hours each day to handle a select list of chores—think utensils, sweeping, mopping, or laundry. They often work for several homes in a neighbourhood. Full-time or live-in workers handle the bulk of cleaning, cooking, looking after kids or seniors, and sometimes even running errands. They expect a bit more privacy these days than a decade ago—thanks, in part, to online awareness and increasing legal protections. The more skilled the help (think: specialized diet cooks, experienced nannies, caregivers for an elderly parent), the higher the rate.

In big Indian cities, domestic help is still mainly found through word-of-mouth—ask your neighbour, or check your building's WhatsApp group. But, in 2025, apps and agencies have their slice of the market. They claim to ‘vet’ workers and sometimes train them too. Of course, that convenience can hike up the price by as much as 30%, and some agencies take hefty cuts from workers’ pay. It’s still common to see direct negotiations, little written documentation, and wages paid in cash.

How Much Does It Really Cost? City-Wise Breakdown

If you guess the price for domestic help in India comes with wild differences, you’d be right. Geography is king here. Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi regularly top the charts, with Kolkata and Chennai close behind. Small cities and rural areas? Expect to pay much less, especially outside of “gated society” housing.

Let’s cut to the chase. The following domestic help cost in India figures reflect typical ranges for 2025, but expect a lot of variation depending on your home’s size, the number of people in your family, and the competition in your neighbourhood. Here’s a handy snapshot of monthly wages (INR):

Type of Help	Mumbai	Delhi	Bengaluru	Kolkata
Part-time Maid (Cleaning)	4000-7000	3500-6000	4000-6500	3000-5500
Cook (Part-time)	6000-12000	5500-11000	6000-11500	4800-9000
Full-time Maid/Helper (Live-in)	12000-20000	10000-18000	11000-18000	8500-14000
Nanny (Ayah) or Elder Care (Live-in)	16000-28000	15000-26000	15000-25000	12000-20000
Driver	14000-23000	13000-22000	12000-21000	11000-18000

These are “ballpark” figures, so if someone quotes a price outside this range, don’t be too shocked. Special skills—think knowledge of Continental cooking, experience working for NRIs, or English-speaking—can boost the asking price up to 40%. Festival bonuses (called “baksheesh” in some regions), preferred uniforms, or extra chores tack on costs too.

Bigger flats, villas, and joint families push up the price. If your first question is, “Can we get cheaper help if we provide a uniform and lunch?” the answer in many cases is yes. Providing meals, designated resting space, or Wi-Fi for live-in help is almost standard now in big cities. If you want to keep staff loyal, you’ll consider these “extras” non-negotiable.

What Affects the Salary? Perks, Experience & More

Salaries haven’t just gone up because of inflation. Over the past 5 years, there’s been a visible shift: more domestic workers negotiate their pay and working hours, and know their worth, thanks to social media and worker collectives. Here’s what really bumps up the cost for domestic help in India—besides just living in a metropolis:

Experience: If someone has worked with expats or in multiple “good” homes, expect to pay a premium. People love recommendations, and a maid who comes highly rated carries leverage.
Skills: Cooking regional, international, or diet-specific food? Special care for infants, children with disabilities, or elderly parents? It all adds to their wage expectations.
Flexibility: Someone willing to stay over on short notice or travel with the family hikes up the rate. Working on Sundays? Double pay, or at least a tough negotiation.
Perks: Annual bonuses, festival gifts, uniforms, food, paid leave, and sick days. In posh neighbourhoods, live-in staff are sometimes given their own room with a fan, internet, and access to medical check-ups.
Trust: If your help has been with you through thick and thin, raising salaries ahead of the market stops poaching by neighbours. Loyalty often equals better working relationships and less drama.
Inflation & Labour Shortages: Urbanization is shrinking supply. More women move to higher-wage sectors (like retail and delivery apps), which hikes up negotiation power for experienced domestic workers.

Keep in mind: payment cycles matter too. Most workers expect monthly payments, but some want advances for school fees or emergencies. Clear communication is vital—many home-owners prefer not to raise pay unless competition sets in. But, if you lose valued help, you’ll shell out more for last-minute replacements (especially via agencies).

Legal, Ethical & Safety Concerns to Know

Indian law doesn’t offer a single, airtight contract or protective law for domestic workers. That said, lots of urban counties are adding minimum wage requirements (often around 14,000 INR/month for full-timers in cities like Mumbai, from 2024 onwards). But, enforcement is patchy, and many households pay below this. If you go by the book—or just want peace of mind—here’s what to remember:

Written Contracts: It’s rare but smart. Agencies encourage them. They spell out duties, leaves, pay, hours, and even notice periods. It protects both sides from misunderstandings.
Background Checks: Agencies offer this, but you can request police verification yourself. Many apartment societies require this due to theft or safety concerns.
Child Labour: Hiring anyone under 18 for housework is illegal everywhere in India. Fines are steep, and neighbours don’t hesitate to report families breaking the rules, especially in gated communities.
Paid Leave & Bonuses: Culturally, most people offer annual Diwali, Eid, or Christmas bonuses (roughly a month’s salary) and time off for marriage or hardships. Goodwill here lowers turnover and gossip risk.
Harassment & Abuse: Cities like Mumbai and Bangalore have seen news stories about exploitation. Many RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations) now require clear communication of duties and encourage respectful treatment. Some have helplines for workers in distress.

Most domestic workers don’t have insurance, paid sick leave, or long-term job security. But apps and NGOs are starting to change that. In Delhi, for instance, a few non-profits offer accident insurance at low cost if employers chip in. Middle-class employers increasingly opt for written job roles and digital payments—both for transparency and, let’s be honest, for their own paper trails.

Smart Tips for Hiring and Keeping Reliable Domestic Help

So, after you’ve hunted through WhatsApp groups, gritted your teeth through price talks, and finally found someone great, how do you keep them happy—and stop other neighbours poaching them? Here’s a real-world playbook that works (at least in most cities across India):

Start with a Trial: Most people offer a 1-2 week paid trial. It gives both sides a chance to see if things ‘click’. Don’t demand instant perfection; training takes time.
Put It in Writing: Even a WhatsApp chat outlining hours, days, and main duties is better than nothing. Saves tension later.
Respect the Worker’s Time: No one likes an unclear schedule. If school pickups or late dinners are needed, give advance notice. Flexible, honest communication makes all the difference.
Prompt Pay and Bonuses: If you’re late or stingy with bonuses, word spreads fast—don’t expect loyalty then. Digital pay (UPI, Paytm, etc.) is now common, even in smaller towns.
Legalities Matter: Police verification isn’t just for you, it can actually help the worker access government schemes or bank accounts. Help your staff with ID documentation if needed.
Basic Perks Count: Meals, safe drinking water, breaks, proper place to leave sandals or wash up. It’s not luxury, it’s basic respect.
Handle Disputes Calmly: If there’s ever a conflict about chores, timing, or breaks, don’t shout or threaten. Calm, clear words keep relationships steady.

And here’s a lesser-known fact: if you’re happy with your help, and they ask for a salary hike, consider their ask against what agencies are charging. Poaching and sudden disappearance is still a problem—but people stick around where they feel secure and respected. If you move houses or cities, introducing your worker to trusted neighbours can make you both feel less anxious about future job prospects.

Real wages will keep rising with inflation and demand, especially for skilled and reliable help. Employers who see staff as partners, not just servants, rarely have to look far for replacements. It’s a simple equation, really: pay fairly, communicate openly, and make your home environment safe and positive. That’s the best ‘rate’ you can offer in 2025, whatever neighbourhood or city you call home.