Every year, HelperChoice, Hong Kong’s leading ethical recruitment platform connecting foreign domestic workers and employers, analyses job postings published on its platform to identify the latest salary trends, employment conditions, and hiring behaviours across the city.
2026 salary analysis currently covers 1,062 job ads posted between September 2025 and August 2026, offering insights into how salaries are evolving for foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong.
The survey is conducted ahead of the Hong Kong Labour Department’s announcement regarding the new Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) and food allowance. As a reference, the MAW for 2026 is set at HK$5,100 with a food allowance of HK$1,236.
Foreign Domestic Worker Salary Offers Show a Rare Pullback
According to 2026 data, the average monthly salary offered to foreign domestic workers is HK$5,559, down 2.8% from HK$5,722 in 2025; this follows a 7.9% increase recorded the previous year.
Despite the decrease, the 2026 average remains approximately 9% above the prevailing HK$5,100 Minimum Allowable Wage, while the median stands at HK$5,100, reflecting that many offers remain close to the statutory minimum.
Rather than signalling a sharp reversal in salary trends, the preliminary figures may point toward salary levels stabilising following the stronger growth recorded in 2025. Raymond Sze, General Manager of HelperChoice, commented: “After years of steady wage growth for domestic workers, 2026 has seen a rare pullback in salary offers. This appears to be driven largely by the economic slowdown and the pressure it has placed on household budgets. But salary is only one part of what makes an employment arrangement sustainable. Feedback from our domestic worker community also highlights the importance of adequate food allowance, reasonable working hours, rest, and overall working conditions.
For domestic workers, experience, reliability, and relevant skills continue to play an important role in securing better opportunities. At the same time, employers are balancing competitive salaries with their household needs and budgets. Ultimately, the goal is to create fair arrangements and the right long-term match for both employers and domestic workers.”
Regional Salary Trends Shift in 2026
In 2025, the New Territories recorded the highest average monthly salary at HK$5,886, followed by Hong Kong Island at HK$5,807 and Kowloon at HK$5,158.
In 2026, Hong Kong Island moved to the top at HK$5,722.93, followed by Kowloon at HK$5,212 and the New Territories at HK$5,135. Compared with 2025, salaries decreased by 1.4% on Hong Kong Island and 12.8% in the New Territories, while Kowloon recorded a 1.0% increase.
Majority of Workers Favor Food Allowance Over Base Salary Increases
As part of its ongoing engagement with the domestic worker community, HelperChoice conducted a poll asking workers which they would prefer if given a choice: a mandatory food allowance or an increase in the minimum wage.
Among 449 responses, 61.7% (277 respondents) selected a mandatory food allowance, compared with 38.3% (172 respondents) who chose an increase in the minimum wage. The poll shows that food allowance matters greatly to many domestic workers, alongside receiving fair pay.
Experience and Skills Continue to Influence Hiring
Beyond salary, employers value skills that match their household needs, such as childcare, elderly care, cooking, Hong Kong experience, and strong references. For domestic workers, relevant experience, good references, and an updated profile can help them find the right long-term match.
Press Contact:
Raymond Sze – raymond@helperchoice.com
About HelperChoice
Founded in 2012, HelperChoice is a Hong Kong based platform dedicated to ethical recruitment and transparency in domestic employment. By connecting families directly with foreign domestic workers, HelperChoice removes placement fees and prevents exploitation.