Domestic Worker Pay 2025: What You Should Pay in Mumbai

When you hire a domestic worker, a person hired to perform household tasks like cleaning, cooking, or childcare. Also known as maid, it is one of the most common forms of home support in Mumbai, especially for working families who need reliable daily help. In 2025, the pay for these workers isn’t just a number—it’s tied to hours worked, experience, duties, and even where they live. Many households still guess what to pay, but the truth is, wages have shifted. A part-time cleaner now earns more than she did two years ago, and a 24-hour helper comes with legal expectations that most don’t know about.

What you pay depends heavily on what you need. A full-time maid, someone who works 6-8 hours a day, five or six days a week typically earns between ₹18,000 and ₹28,000 monthly in Mumbai. If you need someone to live in and handle everything from laundry to grocery shopping, a 24-hour maid, a live-in helper who is on call around the clock can cost ₹30,000 to ₹45,000. These aren’t just guesses—they’re based on recent surveys from Mumbai households and helper unions. Location matters too. A helper in Andheri might earn more than one in Ghatkopar, even if they do the same work. And don’t forget food and accommodation. If you provide meals or a room, your cash wage might be lower, but your total cost stays the same.

Experience plays a big role. A maid with five years of cleaning only kitchens might earn less than one who’s also cooked for families, cared for elderly parents, and managed kids’ schedules. You’re not just paying for labor—you’re paying for trust, consistency, and skill. Some families hire Japa maids, foreign-trained domestic helpers, often from Japan or other countries, who bring specific cleaning standards, and they can cost double. But most households find that local helpers, with proper training and fair pay, deliver better long-term value.

There are legal limits too. By law, a domestic worker can’t work more than 9 hours a day without overtime. If you ask for extra hours, you must pay extra. And if you hire through an agency, you’re still responsible for making sure the pay is fair. No one should be working 12-hour days for ₹12,000 a month. That’s not just unfair—it’s against basic labor rights.

So what’s the right amount to pay? It’s not about the cheapest option. It’s about finding a fair rate that matches the work, respects the person, and keeps things running smoothly. The posts below give you real numbers from 2025—what cleaners, cooks, and live-in helpers actually earn across Mumbai. You’ll see breakdowns by hours, duties, and neighborhoods. No fluff. Just what you need to know before you hire.