How much should you pay a yaya in 2026?
A practical Philippines salary guide for families hiring a yaya, nanny, or babysitter — covering Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, with ranges by experience and live-in status.
Quick answer: In 2026, the typical yaya salary in Metro Manila ranges from ₱12,000 to ₱25,000 per month, depending on experience, live-in status, and the number of children. Outside Metro Manila, the range is roughly ₱7,000 to ₱18,000. These are typical rates — not legal minimums.
The legal floor: DOLE minimum wages
Before we talk about typical rates, you need to know the minimum wage by region set under Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361). These are the absolute legal minimums — paying less is illegal.
| Region | Minimum monthly wage |
|---|---|
| NCR (Metro Manila) | ₱7,800 |
| Other regions (Cebu, Davao, etc.) | Set by regional wage board |
NCR figure effective 7 February 2026 (Wage Order No. NCR-DW-06). Other regions set their own kasambahay minimums — confirm the current figure with DOLE / NWPC.
The reality on the ground: almost no one in Metro Manila pays only the legal minimum of ₱7,800. The market rate is significantly higher because demand for trustworthy yayas far exceeds supply.
Typical 2026 yaya salaries by city
Metro Manila (NCR)
Metro Manila has the highest salaries because cost of living is highest and demand is strongest.
| Experience & setup | Typical monthly range |
|---|---|
| Live-in, 0–2 years experience | ₱10,000 – ₱14,000 |
| Live-in, 3–5 years experience | ₱14,000 – ₱18,000 |
| Live-in, 5+ years & specialised (CPR, infants) | ₱18,000 – ₱25,000 |
| Live-out (8-hour shift) | ₱12,000 – ₱20,000 |
| Live-out, part-time (after-school) | ₱7,000 – ₱12,000 |
Cebu City
Cebu rates are typically 20–30% lower than Metro Manila but climbing fast as the city's IT-BPO and tourism sectors grow.
| Experience & setup | Typical monthly range |
|---|---|
| Live-in, 0–2 years experience | ₱8,000 – ₱11,000 |
| Live-in, 3+ years experience | ₱11,000 – ₱15,000 |
| Live-out (full-time) | ₱10,000 – ₱16,000 |
Davao City
Davao rates are typically lower again than Cebu, with the city's lower overall cost of living.
| Experience & setup | Typical monthly range |
|---|---|
| Live-in, 0–2 years experience | ₱7,000 – ₱10,000 |
| Live-in, 3+ years experience | ₱10,000 – ₱13,000 |
| Live-out (full-time) | ₱9,000 – ₱14,000 |
What drives the rate up
Beyond city and years of experience, six factors raise a typical yaya's pay:
- Multiple children: A yaya caring for two or three kids typically earns ₱2,000–₱4,000 more per month than one caring for a single child.
- Infant care (under 12 months): Infant care is more demanding and the rate goes up ₱2,000–₱5,000.
- CPR & First Aid certification: Adds about ₱1,000–₱2,000 to the typical rate. Worth requesting from your yaya regardless.
- TESDA certifications (early childhood care): Adds ₱1,500–₱3,000.
- English proficiency: Important for expat or OFW families. Premium of ₱1,500–₱3,000.
- Driving licence: If your yaya can also drive (school pickup, errands), expect to add ₱2,000–₱4,000.
The non-salary costs (don't forget these)
The monthly wage isn't the only cost of hiring a yaya. Batas Kasambahay requires:
- SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contributions. If your yaya earns under ₱5,000/month, you pay the full contribution. Above ₱5,000, you split it. The employer share is roughly ₱1,500–₱2,500/month for a typical Metro Manila wage (SSS alone is 10% of her salary credit in 2026).
- 13th-month pay — equivalent to one month's salary, paid in December. If your yaya earns ₱15,000/month, plan ₱15,000 in December.
- 5 days paid service incentive leave after 1 year of service.
- For live-in yayas: free lodging, meals, and access to clean drinking water. Budget about ₱3,000–₱5,000/month in food and incidentals.
So if you're paying a live-in yaya ₱15,000/month, your true monthly cost is closer to ₱20,000–₱22,000 once you include benefits and live-in costs.
How to negotiate fairly
1. Don't anchor on the legal minimum.
₱7,800 is the floor, not the going rate. Starting offers at the legal minimum signals you're not serious. Offer the market range for the experience level you're hiring.
2. Discuss the full package, not just the salary.
"₱14,000 plus 13th month, SSS, holidays, one day off per week, and live-in" is the right framing. Don't quote a number without the package.
3. Build in a clear review cycle.
Agree on a 6-month review with a defined raise (₱500–₱1,500) if both parties are happy. This gives your yaya something to work toward and signals long-term commitment.
4. Recognise extra effort.
Bonus on birthdays, Christmas (beyond the legal 13th month), or after a particularly hard week (e.g., a sick child) signals respect. Filipino families that retain great yayas for years almost always do this.
Red flags in salary discussions
Some warning signs you're being undercut or overcharged:
- The rate is more than 30% below market. Likely an inexperienced or undocumented worker.
- The agency demands fees but won't itemise. Legitimate agencies provide clear breakdowns.
- Cash-only with no contract. Illegal under Batas Kasambahay. You're exposed to disputes and termination claims.
- No SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG. Your yaya is denied her legal benefits, and you're non-compliant.
Pinoyaya's approach
On Pinoyaya, yayas set their own rates inside the app — what you see on a profile is what they expect. Most live-in yayas in Manila on Pinoyaya quote between ₱14,000 and ₱22,000/month, depending on experience and certifications. You can filter by budget when you browse.
Every yaya on the platform is identity-verified, and many add optional background clearance, TESDA certifications, and CPR badges to their profiles — so you can pay with confidence that the person matches her documents.
Ready to find your yaya?
Browse verified yayas, nannies, and babysitters across Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao — with transparent rates on every profile. ₱699 for 30 days of full access.
Get the Pinoyaya app →Sources & further reading
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) — official minimum wage tables
- RA 10361 (Batas Kasambahay) full text
- Pinoyaya's plain-English guide to RA 10361
- SSS Philippines — household employer registration
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal or financial advice. Always consult DOLE or a Philippine labour lawyer for your specific situation.