The results for the latest jingkids Ayi Survey are in!

If you haven’t heard of hiring an ayi, you probably haven’t lived in Beijing long enough. Just about every Beijinger who has the means to hire an ayi would consider one because they can relieve you of grueling everyday responsibilities like pesky housework or even entertaining young children.

Yet for many foreigners (and locals, for that matter) the ayi industry is shrouded in mystery. What exactly does an ayi do? How much should you pay her? What are reasonable working hours?

In an effort to gain some clarity for Beijing families, every year jingkids runs the ayi survey where we ask respondents about their ayi‘s work hours, pay rates, experience, responsibilities, and benefits. The first Ayi Survey was conducted in 2014, and in the years since, the industry has undergone subtle but evident changes such as higher pay rates and the growing popularity of part-time ayis.

Below are the results from the latest survey.

Images: jingkids

We hear these questions all the time, “How much do you pay your ayi?” “Does your ayi do laundry?” and the most hotly debated, “Do you give your ayi an annual bonus?”

Part of life in Beijing involves finding yourself an ayi, someone to carry out those tedious household chores and help to look after your kids. For some, the concept can be difficult to adjust to; the idea of having a stranger doing all the tasks you are perfectly capable of performing yourself doesn’t always rest easy.  For others, the transition to paying a reasonable wage for a clean home is a straightforward financial transaction.

Now in its 11th year, the Beijing Ayi Survey was started by our colleague Tobal Loyola. After asking around about ayi salaries and getting a variety of responses, he realized there was a need for a community resource to provide a basis for comparison.

Once again, we’re conducting the Ayi Survey to collect some much-needed information on an essential part of your life in Beijing.

To take the survey, scan the QR code in the poster below. Help us help you get the most accurate and up-to-date information about ayis in Beijing.

Images: Pexels

Undoubtedly, the essential tasks for any expat moving to the capital include downloading WeChat, securing accommodation, and hiring a domestic helper – your ayi. In Beijing, it’s almost the norm for residents with the means to enlist the services of an ayi, whether on a part-time or full-time basis, live-in or not. The rationale behind this practice is the acknowledgment that living and working in a bustling city like Beijing can be physically draining and, if finances allow, outsourcing domestic help becomes a practical choice.

To keep the community well-informed about the evolving landscape of domestic help, we annually conduct our Ayi Survey. While friends’ experiences can provide insights, our survey eliminates guesswork and ensures anonymity, presenting a comprehensive view of the current ayi scene in Beijing.

A variety of ayis exist, each with distinct job descriptions ranging from cleaning only or cooking plus cleaning to childcare for older kids or full-time baby care. Their training and expected salaries also differ.

However, before delving into these details, the first crucial step is the ayi interview. To assist in this process, we’ve compiled some of the most commonly asked questions to guide you.

1. Find out why she’s leaving her current family. Is it because they’re moving or is it because of an altercation? It’s great to have a previous employer’s recommendation, but since that’s not always possible, ask as many questions as you can to get a full picture.

2. Does the ayi speak English? If so, how well? Always confirm their language level rather than accepting a simple “yes” or “no.”

3. Has she worked with foreign families before? If so, where were they from? Sometimes agencies will classify all foreigners together, regardless of cultural differences.

4. Is she certified in CPR or first-aid? If so, for what age? Infant CPR is very different from adult CPR.

5. Be specific about what her duties are. Never assume that just because you’ve had an ayi who voluntarily did laundry for the family, all ayis will.

6. How old were the kids she previously cared for? How many families has she worked with?

7. Will she work on weekends? If she’s not living with you, will it be a problem if you need her to stay late from time to time?

8. If you have pets, does she have experience working for a family with pets or does she have any allergies?

9. Is she trustworthy? Was she recommended by someone you know? If not, can she provide you with a copy of her ID card and health check certificate? If she can’t or won’t then, it’s a definite red flag!

10. If you’re planning on hiring a live-in ayi, ask her specifically about what she’s expecting her living situation to be. If you can, do the interview at home so she can also ask questions about your family’s lifestyle.

The Survey Results Are In!

Let’s jump right in with the biggest questions that everyone asks. Where do you find the most reliable ayis? Sure, there are agencies, but the most trusted source will always be recommendations from friends. There are groups on WeChat specifically for ayi recommendations. People tend to add and leave those as their needs change, so the best way to join one is to ask in the Jingkids Parenting group. To join that, add TBJHelper on WeChat.

Now, on to the next big question. How much do you pay your ayi?

The range varies between less than RMB 4,000 to over RMB 8,000 a month for one good reason: whether the ayi is live-in or part-time.

So, for those who only occasionally use an ayi’s help, most households pay their ayi between RMB 40 and RMB 50 per hour.

So, what does an ayi do at home? Are you asking too much of yours or is she doing the bare minimum? Here’s how the Beijing community voted.

Click here to see the full list of ayi poll results.

Images: Bing

We hear these questions all the time, “How much do you pay your ayi?” “Does your ayi do laundry?” and the most hotly debated, “Do you give your ayi an annual bonus?”

Part of life in Beijing involves finding yourself an ayi, someone to carry out those tedious household chores and help to look after your kids. For some, the concept can be difficult to adjust to; the idea of having a stranger doing all the tasks you are perfectly capable of performing yourself doesn’t always rest easy.  For others, the transition to paying a reasonable wage for a clean home is a straightforward financial transaction.

Introducing the Beijing Ayi Survey
Now in its 10th year, the Beijing Ayi Survey was started by our colleague Tobal Loyola. After asking around about ayi salaries and getting a variety of responses, he realized there was a need for a community resource to provide a basis for comparison.

We’re once again conducting the ayi survey to collect some much-needed information on an essential part of your life in Beijing.

To take the survey, scan the QR code in the poster below. Help us help you get the most accurate and up-to-date information about ayis in Beijing.

Images: Pexels

Without a doubt, the top three things on any expat’s must-do list when relocating to the capital are downloading WeChat, finding an apartment, and hiring an ayi. Almost every Beijinger who has the means will hire an ayi – whether it be part-time or full-time, live-in or not, daily, weekly, monthly, etc. – to assist with their day-to-day lives.

Because, let’s face it, living and working in a bustling city like Beijing can be exhausting, and if we can afford to hire someone to help, why not?

That’s why each year we conduct our Ayi Survey, to find out the latest updates and most vital information about Beijing’s ayi scene. Of course, you can always ask your friends how much they pay their ayi, or the scope of their responsibilities, but we’ve gone ahead and taken the guesswork out – while adding the honesty that comes with anonymity – by surveying a sizable swath of Beijing.

The Survey Results Are In!

KEEP READING: What You Need to Know About Finding (and Keeping) an Ayi

Images: Jingkids, Pexels

Part of life in Beijing for many involves hiring an ayi – someone to carry out those tedious household chores and help look after your kids. For some, the concept can be difficult to adjust to – the idea of having a stranger doing all the tasks you are perfectly capable of performing yourself doesn’t always rest easy. For others, the transition to paying a reasonable wage for a clean home is a straightforward financial transaction.

No matter which camp you fall in, however, there are always some recurring questions: “How much do you pay your ayi?” “Does your ayi do laundry?” and the most hotly debated, “Do you give your ayi a Chinese New Year bonus?”

Introducing the Beijing Ayi Survey


Now in its ninth year, the Beijing Ayi Survey was started by our colleague Tobal Loyola. After asking around about ayi salaries and getting wildly diverse responses, he realized there was a need for a community resource that could provide a basis for comparison.

So we’re once again conducting the ayi survey to collect some much-needed information on an essential part of your life in Beijing. To take the survey, scan the QR code in the poster below. Help us help you get the most accurate and up-to-date information about ayis in Beijing.

*Be sure to turn on your V** to take the survey.

KEEP READING: To Spy or Not to Spy on the Ayi?

Images: Pexels, Jingkids

Without a doubt, the top three things on any expat’s must-do list when relocating to the capital are downloading WeChat, finding an apartment, and hiring an ayi. Almost every Beijinger who has the means will hire an ayi – whether it be part-time or full-time, live-in or not, daily, weekly, monthly, etc. – to assist with their day-to-day lives. Because, let’s face it, living and working in a bustling city like Beijing can be exhausting, and if we can afford to hire someone to help, why not?

That’s why each year we conduct our Ayi Survey, to find out the latest updates and most vital information about Beijing’s ayi scene. Of course, you can always ask your friends how much they pay their ayi, or the scope of their responsibilities, but we’ve gone ahead and taken the guesswork out – while adding the honesty that comes with anonymity – by surveying a sizable swath of Beijing.

There are different types of ayis with diverse job descriptions. There are those who’ll only clean, those who’ll clean and cook, those who’ll watch older kids, and those who will care for babies full-time. The training they receive is different, as is the salary that you’ll want to pay them.

First thing’s first, however…the interview! Here are a few of the most common questions to get you started.

1. Find out why she’s leaving her current family. Is it because they’re moving or is it because of an altercation? It’s great to have a previous employer’s recommendation, but since that’s not always possible, ask as many questions as you can to get a full picture.

2. Does ayi speak English? If so, how well? Always confirm their language level rather than accepting a simple “yes” or “no.”

3. Has she worked with foreign families before? If so, where were they from? Sometimes agencies will classify all foreigners together, regardless of cultural differences.

4. Is she certified in CPR or first-aid? If so, for what age? Infant CPR is very different from adult CPR.

5. Be specific about what her duties are. Never assume that just because you’ve had an ayi who voluntarily did laundry for the family, all ayis will.

6. How old were the kids she previously cared for? How many families has she worked with?

7. Will she work on weekends? If she’s not living with you, will it be a problem if you need her to stay late from time to time?

8. If you have pets, does she have experience working for a family with pets or does she have any allergies?

9. Is she trustworthy? Was she recommended by someone you know? If not, can she provide you with a copy of her ID card and health check certificate? If they can’t or won’t then, it’s a definite red flag!

10. If you’re planning on hiring a live-in ayi, ask her specifically about what she’s expecting her living situation to be. If you can, do the interview at home so she can also ask questions about your family’s lifestyle.

The Survey Results Are In!

According to this year’s survey results, the most popular way for Beijing’s expat families to find their ayi is through referrals from someone they know. 57 percent reported finding their ayi through a friend, colleague, or neighbor, while 11 percent pursued a referral from another ayi that they already knew, and 10 percent followed a referral from a WeChat group.

This means that only 22 percent are finding an ayi through an agency, online ad, or some other means.

Of all the people who answered that they have full-time ayis, only 19 percent said that their ayis live with them. The rest employ ayis with a Beijing residence, who commute to work each day.

And now for the burning question that everyone’s most curious about: How much should you be paying your ayi? The monthly salary of your ayi will depend on whether they live with you or commute, and it would also depend on the exact work they’re hired to do. Ayis who look after children will be more expensive than those who only clean. According to this year’s survey results, 22 percent reportedly pay between RMB 7,001-RMB 8,000 per month for their ayi. While it’s not entirely uncommon to pay more than RMB 8,000 a month, only 7 percent of participants in this year’s ayi survery shell out that much per month.

28 percent said that they pay between RMB 6,001-RMB 7,000 a month, whereas 28 percent answered that they pay between RMB 5,001-RMB 6,000 a month.

On the lower end of the spectrum, 12 percent said they pay between RMB 4,000-RMB 5,000 and two percent said they pay less than RMB 4,000 per month for ayi. This would most likely be those with part-time ayis rather than full-time.

Curious if what you’re asking your ayi to do is reasonable? Of the long list of duties that we included in this year’s survey, the most common duties for ayi include:

KEEP READING: What You Need to Know About Finding (and Keeping) an Ayi

Images: Jingkids, Pexels

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 May issue

We hear these questions all the time, “How much do you pay your ayi?” “Does your ayi do laundry?” and the most hotly debated, “Do you give your ayi an annual bonus?”

Part of life in Beijing involves finding yourself an ayi, someone to carry out those tedious household chores and help to look after your kids. For some, the concept can be difficult to adjust to; the idea of having a stranger doing all the tasks you are perfectly capable of performing yourself doesn’t always rest easy.  For others, the transition to paying a reasonable wage for a clean home is a straightforward financial transaction.

Introducing the Beijing Ayi Survey
Now in its eighth year, the Beijing Ayi Survey was started by our colleague Tobal Loyola. After asking around about ayi salaries and getting a variety of responses, he realized there was a need for a community resource to provide a basis for comparison.

We’re once again conducting the ayi survey to collect some much-needed information on an essential part of your life in Beijing. To take the survey, scan the QR code in the poster below. Help us help you get the most accurate and up-to-date information about ayis in Beijing.

Images: Pexels

About seven years ago a neighbor introduced her to me; in hindsight, maybe they did it out of spite. My first ayi in Beijing was in her 40’s, I think. We actually never had a conversation about her age. She was the worst ayi I’ve ever had. I only used her a few times before having to have that awkward conversation of letting her go.

Now I’m pretty low-maintenance, especially when it comes to settling on how many hours ayi worked and her availability, but she was a whole different story. Maybe she sensed that I was new to Beijing and was still a bit timid about giving instructions. She pounced on my language insecurity like a hungry lioness.

Her rate was reasonable but she’d take her sweet time with every task, all while taking constant breaks to chit chat on the phone. Annoying, but OK. I get it. It’s not the first time I’ve seen an hourly worker procrastinate, milking every minute of their work. But to make things worse I got the sense that she was gossiping to her friend about me in her local dialect that I couldn’t understand while she’s still in my apartment. You know that feeling, where even though you can’t understand what they’re saying you know they’re talking about you because they look at you and the make these snarky facial expressions.

OK Mina, be the bigger person and just let it go…

My final straw came after a particularly tiring day at work, and ayi was cleaning/gossiping and left without saying good-bye. After she left I found out that she had completely forgotten to do the bathroom (but somehow still spent the same amount of time cleaning as every other time she’s been at my place). That’s when I decided that enough was enough. I needed a new ayi. My plan was simple, just never call her to make an appointment again.

She had other plans.

A week goes by and I get a call from her, in her heavy accent that I can’t really understand she asks me if she can come over to clean. I tell her no and make up some excuse about not being home. A few days later she calls again; this time accusing me of wasting her time because I haven’t made an appointment with her in weeks. Um, excuse me? We didn’t have a set schedule and I’m not obligated to use her!

When I met my husband who’s a local Beijinger and told him about her, he laughed. “You were being overcharged and taken advantage of.”

How much should you be paying your ayi? Where can you go to find a good ayi?

Take the annual ayi survey, and when we publish the results, you’ll never have to go through the hellish experience with a nightmare ayi that I did.

Introduction to the Survey
Now in its seventh year, the Beijing Ayi Survey was started by an expat called Tobal Loyola; he now works at True Run Media, beijingkids’ parent company. After asking around about ayi salaries and getting a variety of responses, he realized the need for a community resource to provide a basis for comparison.

We’re once again conducting the ayi survey to collect some much-needed information on an essential part of your life in Beijing. To take the survey, click here or scan the QR code below.

Photos: unsplash