Hiring an Ayi in Shanghai — 2026 Handbook
A practical reference for expat families in Shanghai employing a household ayi (阿姨). Updated for 2026, this handbook covers hourly vs live-in arrangements, agencies, typical rates, and how to share Western recipes with an ayi who reads only Chinese.
Key Points
- Most expat families in Shanghai use part-time hourly ayis
- Hourly rates typically 35–60 RMB/hour depending on tasks and area
- Live-in ayis are less common and usually go through agencies
- Word-of-mouth referrals via WeChat groups dominate the market
- A written contract is highly recommended even for hourly arrangements
- Mandarin recipe translation is the main daily friction point
How much does an ayi cost in Shanghai in 2026?
Hourly ayis: typically 35–60 RMB/hour for cleaning and cooking, higher for childcare or specialised tasks. Live-in ayis: 6,000–10,000 RMB/month plus room and board. Rates vary by district (Jing'an, Xuhui, Pudong Lujiazui command premiums) and by experience with Western cooking.
Where do expat families in Shanghai find an ayi?
Three main routes: word-of-mouth in expat WeChat groups and school parent networks (most common), domestic services agencies (best for live-in or specialised needs), or platform apps like 阿姨来了 (Ayi Lai Le). Word-of-mouth is the strongest filter for trustworthiness.
How do I share Western recipes with an ayi who reads only Chinese?
Write or paste the recipe in any language and let MealSide auto-translate it into Simplified Chinese. The ayi sees ingredients with familiar Chinese names, measurements converted to grams and ml, and step-by-step instructions she can read at a glance. The shopping list is also translated and grouped by store section.
Hourly vs Live-in Arrangements
Most expat families in Shanghai opt for part-time hourly ayis — typically 3–5 days per week, 4–6 hours per visit. This covers cleaning, laundry, light meal prep, and errands. It is flexible, easy to scale, and aligns with how most Shanghai compounds and apartments are set up.
Live-in ayis are common in larger expat households with young children or in cases where the family travels frequently. The ayi has her own room, is provided meals, and is paid a monthly salary plus statutory benefits where applicable.
Finding an Ayi
In order of how most expat families find their ayi:
- Word-of-mouth in school parent WeChat groups, compound chats, and friends
- Agencies (Domestic Service Agencies, 家政公司) — best for live-in, English-speaking ayis, or specific qualifications
- Platform apps — 阿姨来了 (Ayi Lai Le), 58到家
- Departing expat handovers — taking over an ayi from a leaving family is the lowest-risk option
Agencies typically charge a one-month salary as their fee.
Contracts and Payment
Even for hourly arrangements, a simple written contract in Chinese (covering hours, rate, scope of work, notice period) is highly recommended. For live-in, a full employment contract aligned with Shanghai labour rules is essential.
Payment is usually weekly (cash or WeChat transfer) for hourly ayis, monthly for live-in. Some ayis prefer cash; many now accept WeChat Pay.
Cooking and Western Food
Most Shanghainese ayis cook traditional Chinese home food beautifully. Cooking Western or international dishes (Italian pasta, Mexican, French, Indian) typically requires teaching with a written, translated recipe and a first-time-together cook-along.
MealSide solves the recipe-sharing piece by translating everything into Mandarin with measurements converted (cups → grams, oz → ml), familiar Chinese ingredient names, and clear step-by-step instructions.
Cultural Notes
A few things that smooth the relationship:
- Pay on time, every time
- Don't bargain hard at first contact — Shanghai ayis know their market rates
- Provide a small lunch or snack if the visit is over 4 hours
- Be specific about cleaning products and where they go
- Annual bonuses (a 13th month or Spring Festival hongbao) are widespread practice
Where to look — WeChat, agencies, and platforms
Three realistic channels:
- WeChat group referrals — the dominant channel for expat households. Neighbourhood groups, international school parent groups, and "Ayi share" groups frequently post ayis with availability. A referral from a current employer is the highest-trust signal you will get.
- Agencies (家政公司) — useful for first-time hires, live-in arrangements, and cases where you do not yet have a referral network. Reputable agencies pre-screen, do basic background checks, and offer a short replacement window. Fees are typically one month's salary as an introduction fee.
- Online platforms — 58.com, 阿姨来了 (Ayilaile), and similar list candidates directly. Higher volume, lower vetting — useful if you have time to interview many candidates and verify references yourself.
For most expat families a WeChat referral is the first try; an agency is the fallback.
Interview questions worth asking
Ayis in Shanghai typically interview in person at the home (for hourly) or at the agency (for live-in). Most ayis speak Mandarin or Shanghainese; English is rare and a premium skill. If you do not speak Mandarin, ask a Chinese-speaking friend or colleague to join.
Cooking and meals:
- What dishes do you cook most often at home?
- Have you cooked for foreigners or children before?
- Are you willing to follow a written weekly meal plan with photos?
- How do you approach a recipe you have not made before?
Work style and communication:
- What was the schedule with your previous family?
- How do you prefer to receive instructions — WeChat voice messages, written notes, or in person?
- What is your view on shopping at the wet market vs supermarket?
Logistics:
- How long is your commute? Where do you live now?
- What are your Spring Festival plans?
Work history:
- Why did your previous job end?
- Can we contact your previous employer for a reference?
The previous-employer call (or WeChat message) is the single most useful 10 minutes you will spend. Our free one-page printable [interview checklist (PDF)](/mealside-helper-interview-checklist.pdf) translates straight into Mandarin for the ayi.
FAQs
Do Shanghai ayis speak English?
Most do not. A small minority who have worked in expat households for years speak basic English. For most families, communication is in Mandarin (or Shanghainese), via translation apps, or written via WeChat with auto-translate.
What about Spring Festival?
Most ayis return to their home province for 1–4 weeks around Spring Festival. Plan for this absence in advance. A 13th-month bonus or hongbao before departure is customary and appreciated.
Can my ayi take care of my child?
Many do, but childcare-focused ayis (called 育儿嫂) command higher rates and ideally have certification. Discuss childcare scope explicitly and never assume it is included in a general housekeeping contract.
How is meal planning different in Shanghai vs Hong Kong/Singapore?
In Shanghai, the ayi typically does the grocery shopping at a local wet market or supermarket with cash or WeChat Pay. The meal plan needs to consider seasonal local availability and Mandarin product names. MealSide handles translation; the ayi can shop with a Mandarin shopping list grouped by store section.