Types of Household Staff and What to Expect
Household staffing in Bali ranges from basic cleaning help to comprehensive household management. A housekeeper (pembantu) handles daily cleaning, laundry, ironing, and general home maintenance — typical salaries range IDR 2-4 million/month ($130-$260). A cook prepares daily meals based on your dietary preferences, handles grocery shopping, and maintains kitchen hygiene — salaries IDR 3-5 million/month. A gardener (tukang kebun) manages pool maintenance, lawn care, plant watering, and exterior property upkeep — IDR 1.5-3 million/month, often shared between neighboring properties. A nanny or babysitter provides childcare, school pickup/dropoff, and supervised activities — IDR 3-6 million/month depending on hours and qualifications. A driver provides reliable transportation for school runs, shopping, appointments, and social activities — IDR 3-5 million/month plus fuel costs. Many families employ a combination of staff, with total household staffing costs of IDR 8-15 million/month ($520-$980) providing a level of domestic support that would be unaffordable in most Western countries.