What Full-Time Personal Staff Costs in the Philippines

In America, a chauffeur and a housekeeper cost $72,800 a year in wages alone.

In the Philippines, a driver with the car included and a maid who also cooks cost $13,800.

That is $59,000 a year less, and the Philippines side includes the car.

The American Bill

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics put the median chauffeur at $37,290 in May 2025. The median maid or housekeeping cleaner earned $35,510. Together, that is the $72,800.

It is the wage and nothing else. Payroll taxes, insurance and time off come on top, and the driver arrives without a car.

Most people do not hire a chauffeur. They drive themselves.

Even then, the average new-car payment runs about $765 a month, and full-coverage insurance adds roughly $225. That is about $990 a month for a car you drive yourself, before gas and maintenance.

The Philippines Bill

In BGC, at the rates our team works with:

Driver with the car included: $800
Maid who also cooks: $350

Total: $1,150 a month.

The $800 covers the driver and the car together. There is no separate car charge. The maid handles the cleaning, the laundry and the meals. Groceries are extra.

So the driver costs less than the car payment and insurance alone, and someone else is behind the wheel.

A driver who knows your schedule. A home that is cleaned, with meals cooked. That is what $1,150 buys.

What These Numbers Leave Out

This is two roles, not a budget. Rent, food and health insurance come on top.

The American figures are national medians, so your city may run higher or lower. The BGC rates are what we see for a household here, not a national average. Hours, fuel and parking are agreed with each driver, so confirm them before you commit.

Why Not Hire Alone

A newcomer hiring alone can easily end up paying the foreigner rate on a driver, a maid or a lease, and nobody mentions it until the first bill.

Our team has helped more than 180 Americans make this move. We know what a fair price looks like before you sign anything.

Click here to start your move to the Philippines the right way

Travel Well,

Evan Lorezca

The Savvy Expat