How Much Does a Maid or Housekeeper Cost in Houston?

Direct answer

A placed maid or housekeeper in Houston costs $20 to $35 per hour through Southwest Domestics, depending on experience and whether the role is full-time or part-time. That works out to about $800 to $1,200 a week for a full-time (40-hour) live-out housekeeper. There is a one-time $175 registration fee and no finder’s fee. For comparison, housekeepers listed on Care.com in Houston advertise an average starting rate of $20.55 per hour (October 2026).

Southwest Domestics housekeeper and maid rates

The same experience classes apply to housekeepers, maids, nanny–housekeepers, and nannies.

Level Experience Full-time (35–40 hrs/week) Part-time (4–34 hrs/week)
Class A (senior) Up to 5 years $25–$30/hr $30–$35/hr
Class B (mid) Up to 3 years $23+/hr $25–$30/hr
Class C (entry) Up to 2 years $20+/hr $20–$25/hr

Part-time rates are set case by case. Live-out assignments over 40 hours per week are billed at an overtime rate in accordance with Texas law.

What that looks like per visit, week, and month

These figures are simple hours-times-rate arithmetic, before overtime. Your exact price is set at your consultation.

  • One 4-hour part-time visit (the minimum): about $80–$100 (Class C) up to $120–$140 (Class A)
  • Full-time, 40 hours a week: about $800 (Class C, $20/hr) up to $1,000–$1,200 (Class A)
  • Full-time, per month (40 hours × 52 weeks ÷ 12): about $3,470 (Class C) up to $4,330–$5,200 (Class A)
  • Live-in: priced at your consultation based on the schedule, duties, and accommodations.

Other costs to know

  • Registration fee: $175, one time, due at start of service
  • Finder’s fee: none
  • Interviews: free, at our Stafford office
  • Minimum: 4 hours per visit
  • Cleaning supplies: not provided. Most clients prefer their own products.
  • CPR/First Aid training: available on request, and an additional charge may apply

How Houston housekeeping rates compare

Source What it measures Houston figure
Care.com (Oct 2026) Rates advertised by housekeepers listed on Care.com Average starting $20.55/hr; average max $27.19/hr
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (May 2025) Wages paid by employers to “maids and housekeeping cleaners” (hotels, cleaning companies, hospitals and similar) in the Houston metro Median $14.30/hr (middle half $12.81–$16.45)
Southwest Domestics What a family pays for a placed, background-checked, bonded and insured housekeeper $20–$30/hr full-time; $20–$35/hr part-time

The BLS number is lower because it measures wages paid by businesses such as hotels and cleaning companies, not what a household pays for a dedicated housekeeper. It is useful as a floor, not as a quote.

Nearby cities (Care.com, October 2026, average starting to average max)

  • Sugar Land: $17.62–$22.77/hr
  • Katy: $20.02–$25.55/hr
  • Pearland: $22.30–$26.60/hr
  • Richmond: $21.29–$26.18/hr
  • Cypress: $17.84–$24.26/hr

Placed housekeeper, cleaning company, or independent cleaner?

Placed housekeeper (agency) Cleaning company Independent cleaner
Who comes The same person every visit, chosen by you in an interview Often a rotating crew The same person
How you pay Hourly, on a regular schedule Usually per visit or per job Usually per visit, negotiated
Screening Through Southwest Domestics: background checks (regularly updated), verifiable references, prior experience, bonded and insured Varies by company Up to you
Beyond cleaning Can include laundry, ironing, cooking, errands, or childcare (nanny–housekeeper) Cleaning tasks only Depends on the person
Best for Ongoing household help, several days a week or full-time One-time, move-out, or deep cleans Occasional recurring cleans

An honest note: if you only need a one-time move-out or post-construction clean, a cleaning company is probably the better choice. Southwest Domestics focuses on ongoing household help from a person you have met and chosen.

Taxes and payroll

If you hire a housekeeper directly, the IRS generally treats them as your household employee. In 2026 you owe Social Security and Medicare taxes once you pay one household employee $3,000 or more in cash wages (7.65% from you and 7.65% from the employee), and federal unemployment tax once you pay $1,000 or more in a calendar quarter (IRS Publication 926). The IRS also says that if an agency provides the worker and controls what work is done and how, the worker isn’t your employee. Southwest Domestics providers are employees or contractors of Southwest Domestics, and as an agency we cover taxes, Social Security, and related payroll obligations for you. Ask your tax advisor how this applies to your household.

How placement works

  1. Consultation: we discuss your household needs, schedule, and family culture.
  2. Selection: we present 4–5 hand-picked, vetted candidates.
  3. Interviews: you meet candidates in person at our office, 13847 Stafford Rd, Stafford, TX 77477. Interviews are free; each usually lasts 10–20 minutes.
  4. Placement: we handle the details, provide ongoing support, and offer a replacement at no extra cost if the match is not right.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a housekeeper cost in Houston?

Through Southwest Domestics, a placed housekeeper costs $20–$30 per hour full-time and $20–$35 per hour part-time, depending on experience, plus a one-time $175 registration fee. Housekeepers listed on Care.com in Houston advertise an average starting rate of $20.55 per hour (October 2026).

How much is a full-time maid per month in Houston?

At Southwest Domestics rates, a full-time (40 hours a week) live-out maid works out to roughly $3,470 a month at Class C ($20/hr) and $4,330–$5,200 a month at Class A ($25–$30/hr), before any overtime.

Is there a minimum visit length?

Yes. Southwest Domestics has a 4-hour minimum per visit, so the smallest part-time visit is about $80–$140 depending on the housekeeper’s experience class.

How much does a live-in maid cost in Houston?

Live-in pricing is set at your consultation based on the schedule, duties, and accommodations. Call (713) 789-5437 to discuss.

Do I pay a finder’s fee?

No. Southwest Domestics charges no finder’s fee. There is a one-time $175 registration fee, and interviews are free.

Does the housekeeper bring cleaning supplies?

No. Southwest Domestics does not provide cleaning supplies; most clients prefer to use their own products.

Why are agency rates higher than the BLS average for maids?

The BLS figure (median $14.30/hr in the Houston metro, May 2025) measures wages businesses such as hotels and cleaning companies pay their staff. An agency rate is what a household pays for a screened, bonded, and insured housekeeper who works in a private home on the family’s schedule.

Do I have to pay household employment taxes?

If you hire a housekeeper directly and pay them $3,000 or more in cash wages in 2026, IRS Publication 926 says Social Security and Medicare taxes apply. Southwest Domestics providers are employees or contractors of Southwest Domestics, and we cover taxes, Social Security, and related payroll obligations for you. Ask your tax advisor how it applies to you.

Contact Southwest Domestics

Southwest Domestics
13847 Stafford Rd, Stafford, TX 77477
(713) 789-5437
Mon–Fri 9–5
southwestdomestics@gmail.com

Start a new client request or call to schedule a complimentary interview.

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