How much does it cost for a housekeeper or maid in Boquete, Panama?
Paul McBride - Inside Panama Real Estate
Although housekeepers can be hired for $12 to $14 a day in Boquete, a good reliable person will cost more than that. Typically, expats pay between $15 and $20 a day for their housekeeper depending on how many days a week they use their services. More days, less cost. Since your housekeeper will usually be working most of the day, it is customary to provide lunch and many people help with transportation costs as well.
Remember, you get what you...
Although housekeepers can be hired for $12 to $14 a day in Boquete, a good reliable person will cost more than that. Typically, expats pay between $15 and $20 a day for their housekeeper depending on how many days a week they use their services. More days, less cost. Since your housekeeper will usually be working most of the day, it is customary to provide lunch and many people help with transportation costs as well.
Remember, you get what you pay for and this holds even more true in Panama. Over the years a good housekeeper will become more than just someone who cleans your home and paying a little more for the right person can make all the difference in the world.
Posted June 26, 2013
Elizabeth Worley - Cloud Forest Botanicals
The daily rate for housekeepers and maids in Boquete varies, 
depending on whether they live-in, work full or part time, whether transportation is included or provided, whether or not they are expected to cook as well as clean, how many hours they work, whether you provide meals, etc. In general, the daily rate for non-live in, part time household help, is $12-$15 per day, for 6-8 hours. The government has established minimum hourly wage rates for household help, but these vary with...
depending on whether they live-in, work full or part time, whether transportation is included or provided, whether or not they are expected to cook as well as clean, how many hours they work, whether you provide meals, etc. In general, the daily rate for non-live in, part time household help, is $12-$15 per day, for 6-8 hours. The government has established minimum hourly wage rates for household help, but these vary with... The daily rate for housekeepers and maids in Boquete varies, depending on whether they live-in, work full or part time, whether transportation is included or provided, whether or not they are expected to cook as well as clean, how many hours they work, whether you provide meals, etc. In general, the daily rate for non-live in, part time household help, is $12-$15 per day, for 6-8 hours. The government has established minimum hourly wage rates for household help, but these vary with location (and all of the other factors listed above).
depending on whether they live-in, work full or part time, whether transportation is included or provided, whether or not they are expected to cook as well as clean, how many hours they work, whether you provide meals, etc. In general, the daily rate for non-live in, part time household help, is $12-$15 per day, for 6-8 hours. The government has established minimum hourly wage rates for household help, but these vary with location (and all of the other factors listed above). I pay my part-time maid $10 for a four hour work day, twice a week. She walks to work (lives nearby) and leaves at lunch time, so I do not provide either transportation or meals. This is a bit above the standard wage, but--she is worth it!
One thing to be aware of: if you employ your person more than 16-18 hours a week, you are liable for social security, 13th month decimo wages, vacation, etc. If she becomes pregnant while she is working for you, you are liable for all sorts of other things, such as paid maternity leave and potentially medical bills if she experiences any complications as a result of working (and this can be her word against yours if it goes to the Ministry of Labor).
Always have a written contract with your housekeeper that includes the hours she/he works, duties, wage to be paid, any exclusions, how severance will be handled, etc. Have it signed and witnessed. Keep records of when she/he works, payment, etc. Better to be safe than sorry. In a labor dispute, the cards are heavily stacked in favor of the employee.
Posted September 20, 2013
IRMA CASTILLO
Housekeepers in Boquete are not expensive at all compared to the rates in the USA. Boquete is a lovely, quiet place and so are the people. Normally a housekeeper could cost around $200 monthly. Here are the things that you need to know:
You need to take out a monthly portion of your housekeeper's paycheck (11.50%) and pay it as social security (in Spanish "Caja de seguro social") and also 1.25% for...
Housekeepers in Boquete are not expensive at all compared to the rates in the USA. Boquete is a lovely, quiet place and so are the people. Normally a housekeeper could cost around $200 monthly. Here are the things that you need to know:
You need to take out a monthly portion of your housekeeper's paycheck (11.50%) and pay it as social security (in Spanish "Caja de seguro social") and also 1.25% for "Seguro Educativo". You will need to register all the payments of these taxes in order to avoid irregular situations in the future.
It is not expensive to HAVE A HOUSEKEEPER!!! BUT YOU NEED ALSO to take care of little things.
Posted October 22, 2013
Lissy Lezcano - Lissy Lezcano Attorney & Mediator
The law in Panama establishes the minimum salary for the “Domestic Service” at $200 per month; also there are obligations with social security.
In Panama workers have other benefits like:
- Paid vacations 1 month of salary for every 11 months of work.
- Decimo tercer mes “Thirteen Month”, this benefit is paid in April, August and December. The amount is the salary divided by three. For example, $200 / 3 =...
The law in Panama establishes the minimum salary for the “Domestic Service” at $200 per month; also there are obligations with social security.
In Panama workers have other benefits like:
- Paid vacations 1 month of salary for every 11 months of work.
- Decimo tercer mes “Thirteen Month”, this benefit is paid in April, August and December. The amount is the salary divided by three. For example, $200 / 3 = $66.66.
Please always have a work contract in writing, and when you pay for the services draft a receipt of payment and keep it in your files. Doing this is very important to avoid any problem with the Ministry of Labor.
Thanks
Posted October 25, 2013
Spokesperson - Centro Medico Mae Lewis
You can have a maid or a housekeeper in Boquete for about $2.50 an hour. The minimum salary for a maid is $225 a month but it is very difficult to find one at that price. Most likely they will charge $300 a month. You should request references and police record.
You can have a maid or a housekeeper in Boquete for about $2.50 an hour. The minimum salary for a maid is $225 a month but it is very difficult to find one at that price. Most likely they will charge $300 a month. You should request references and police record.
Posted January 8, 2014
Moises Montero Randino - Montero Randino - Attorneys at Law
According to our recently approved law the past December 30th 2013, the minimum wage for a housekeeper in the Boquete Region is USD $225 / month. The salary you pay may range from $225 to $350 or more per month depending on the tasks performed. For example, if the housekeeper is taking care of a baby or performing eldercare, the cost would go to the higher end of the scale described here.
According to our recently approved law the past December 30th 2013, the minimum wage for a housekeeper in the Boquete Region is USD $225 / month. The salary you pay may range from $225 to $350 or more per month depending on the tasks performed. For example, if the housekeeper is taking care of a baby or performing eldercare, the cost would go to the higher end of the scale described here.
Posted February 26, 2014
Penny Barrett - Fundacion Bid 4 Bouquete
I have a lady who comes once a month to clean the house and because she only comes in once a month, I pay her US $22 to come in and spend a Saturday cleaning my house.
I have a lady who comes once a month to clean the house and because she only comes in once a month, I pay her US $22 to come in and spend a Saturday cleaning my house.
Posted October 13, 2014
Manzar Lari - Casa de Montaña
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The cost for a housekeeper or a maid in Boquete depends. If you employ them as part of a hotel like we do, you have to pay more, but if you’re just looking for a maid who works about 48 hours a week, 6 days a week, it would cost you around US $250 to $275 per month. If you’re part of a hotel it would be more like $430 per month.
The reason it costs more for the hotel to hire the maid or housekeeper is on account of the...
The cost for a housekeeper or a maid in Boquete depends. If you employ them as part of a hotel like we do, you have to pay more, but if you’re just looking for a maid who works about 48 hours a week, 6 days a week, it would cost you around US $250 to $275 per month. If you’re part of a hotel it would be more like $430 per month.
The reason it costs more for the hotel to hire the maid or housekeeper is on account of the regulations. The housekeeper at a hotel is responsible for cleaning more areas and it’s assumed that you are spending more time on different areas of the hotel and keeping up to a higher standard than you would if you are a housekeeper at somebody’s house.
If you just wanted someone to clean perhaps once a week, you would pay more or less $20 a day for an 8-hour day.
If you hire somebody and the job you provide is their sole income source then you have to have a contract and pay them Social Security as well.
(Staff at Casa de Montana celebrating the inn's second anniversary, Boquete, Panama, pictured.)
Posted March 16, 2016
Marela Camarena
A permanent or full time housekeeper or maid in Boquete is paid the minimum salary in Panama, which is US $400 to $450 per month, including payroll taxes and social insurance benefits. The maid may be living with the employer or employed full time and comes to work every day for a total 40 hours per week. The minimum salary in Panama is established per zone. Boquete is in Zone 2 and the minimum salary in this zone is higher, for example, than the...
A permanent or full time housekeeper or maid in Boquete is paid the minimum salary in Panama, which is US $400 to $450 per month, including payroll taxes and social insurance benefits. The maid may be living with the employer or employed full time and comes to work every day for a total 40 hours per week. The minimum salary in Panama is established per zone. Boquete is in Zone 2 and the minimum salary in this zone is higher, for example, than the zone for Bocas del Toro. Cleaning service personnel in Panama are paid lower than in the United States, where cleaning service personnel are paid well.
A maid can also be hired on a per week basis and payment will depend on what was agreed upon with the employer even if this is below the minimum salary in Panama. With such arrangements, the risk for the employer is that whenever there are disagreements between the maid and employer, the maid can file a report to Panama's Ministry of Work and lie about not being paid her salary and social insurance benefits. It is always better to pay legal rates for services so that future problems can be avoided.
If hiring part-time maids in Panama to work on a daily or weekly basis, it is best for the employer to have an invoice to keep track of salary payments and to issue receipts of payment.
The daily rate for maids in Panama is $15 to $25. This rate depends on the size of the area the maid needs to clean and how many hours per day she will work. It is not necessary to pay payroll taxes and social insurance benefits for part-time maids.
Expats hiring full time maids in Panama must pay payroll taxes and social insurance benefits.
(Floor plan for a model home at Boqueta Alta Condominiums, Boquete, Panama, pictured.)
Posted June 30, 2017
Kjersten Van Horn - River Ranch Farms Panama
For me one of the joys of living in Latin America is I can afford to have a maid, as house cleaning is not my favorite pastime. In fact, there are many other things I prefer to do with my time than cleaning house! Having said that the average cost for a maid varies if you are hiring full time or part time. There are also labor laws in Panama with minimum wages for different occupations, so best to check with an accountant, especially if you are hiring full time.
...
For me one of the joys of living in Latin America is I can afford to have a maid, as house cleaning is not my favorite pastime. In fact, there are many other things I prefer to do with my time than cleaning house! Having said that the average cost for a maid varies if you are hiring full time or part time. There are also labor laws in Panama with minimum wages for different occupations, so best to check with an accountant, especially if you are hiring full time.
My maid only works two days a week so I pay her $15/day. That is the going rate on a daily basis in our area. I also pay vacation pay and decimo (the thirteenth month) proportionate to the amount of days she works per week. Always check with an accountant on what is required to pay on top of the normal salary.
I also recommend you get written receipts for every payment. That way you will never have any trouble with the Ministry of Labor as you will have proof of payments.
It is always good before hiring a maid to get recommendations. Remember this person is in your home and can be a thief. It has been known to happen and can happen anywhere in the world. One trick I learned to use and actually caught one maid we had hired for a short while stealing money; leave some bills of different denominations out somewhere in your home and write it down. Go out of the house and come back and see if they are all there or all gone or some missing. If any or all are missing immediately fire that maid.
Posted April 27, 2018