Our Annual Ayi Survey Answers All the Big Questions

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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:

Images: Jingkids, Pexels

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