Shanghai - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Household help (ayis) are inexpensive and okay quality. Hire one who's familiar with the diplomatic family and you'll be better off. Some speak English but most don't so at least one of person of the couple should have reasonable Chinese. Prices are about US $3.00 - $5.00 an hour. - Nov 2020
Housekeepers and nannies are inexpensive and readily available. - Apr 2017
Lots...just need to interview and get them cleared. - Oct 2016
Very available. Very pricey. There are domestics with college degrees because it pays better. You are looking at ~US$$5 an hour for full-time. You will also have to pay holidays and the "13th month" bonus. It all really depends on what you can negotiate. - Dec 2014
Hiring an ayi (cleaning lady) is quite common and the going rate is pretty cheap (I don't remember the exact number). - Aug 2014
Very cheap and easy to find. - Aug 2011
Inexpensive, but it depends on what you want. Put a weight on referrals from others... and get someone familiar with your building. - Dec 2010
Available through agencies. Cost varies. - Jul 2010
Readily available, of high quality and cheap. We pay our ayi about $300/month for 55 hours per week of outstanding work, including day care, cooking, cleaning. Its almost criminal the value we get for the money. - Feb 2009
Cheap--but getting more expensive. I pay about US$45 for 16 hours of work. So less than US$3 an hour--and my maid is very good. With that said, you can get it cheaper, I know some people that pay less than US$2 an hour. If you want an English speaking maid, you'll pay more. - Jun 2008
