Guide · Salary · Updated September 2026 · 4 min

Helper minimum wage in Hong Kong, 2026

The short version: HK$5,220 a month, plus HK$1,236 if your employer does not give you food. Here is the rest.

Who it applies to

Every foreign domestic helper contract signed on or after 3 October 2026. If your contract was signed earlier, the rate that applied then still applies — until you sign a new contract.

Food, or a food allowance

Your employer must either give you food free of charge, or pay a food allowance of at least HK$1,236 a month. One or the other is required.

What is not allowed

Deducting agency fees from your salary. Paying you late. Paying less because you “agreed” — you cannot agree to less than the minimum in your contract.

If you are under it

You may be owed the difference. The Labour Department (2717 1771) and organisations like HELP for Domestic Workers can advise you. Keep every payslip — this is exactly why Kaia exists.

Source

Government announcements on the Minimum Allowable Wage, and the Standard Employment Contract (ID 407). Confirm any figure with the Labour Department — this guide is an explanation, not legal advice.

Estimate — confirm with the Labour Department. Labour Department — helper employment guide

Every rate, and when it started

The rate that applies is the one in force on the day your contract was signed. That is why older contracts can lawfully pay an older rate.

Contract signed from	Minimum Allowable Wage	Food allowance (if no food provided)
3 October 2026	HK$5,220	HK$1,236
30 September 2025	HK$5,100	HK$1,236
28 September 2024	HK$4,990	HK$1,236
30 September 2023	HK$4,870	HK$1,236
1 October 2022	HK$4,730	HK$1,196

Which rate applies to my contract?

Look at the date your contract was signed, then find the row in the table above that was in force on that day. That is your minimum, for the whole contract.

A new rate does not raise a contract that is already signed. It applies from your next contract — a renewal is a new contract, so it takes the rate in force on the day you sign it.

FAQ

Common questions

What is the minimum wage for a domestic helper in Hong Kong in 2026?

HK$5,220 a month for contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026, plus a food allowance of at least HK$1,236 if your employer does not give you food free of charge.

Does a new minimum wage raise my salary straight away?

No. The minimum is fixed by the date your contract was signed. A new rate applies to contracts signed after it takes effect, including renewals.

Is the food allowance part of the minimum wage?

No, it is separate. Your employer must either give you food free of charge or pay a food allowance of at least HK$1,236 a month, on top of your salary.

Can my employer deduct agency fees from my salary?

No. Agency fees are not a lawful deduction from wages. If money is being taken from your salary for an agency, the Labour Department (2717 1771) can advise you.

When is the minimum wage reviewed?

The Government reviews it every year. The new rate is usually announced in late September or October and applies to contracts signed from the day after the announcement.