Virtual assistant cost savings calculator · 2026
See what a Filipino virtual assistant would save you.
Put in what the role costs you locally today, pick the role you'd hire for, and get the monthly and annual difference. No email, no sign up, and the numbers update as you type.
Your numbers
Moves the rate inside the published range for that role. Nothing is invented.
Base wage only. Benefits and overheads go in the next two fields.
What it comes to
Estimates, not a quote. VA MASTERS rates are the published ranges for each role category. Local figures are whatever you enter. You get an exact rate on a call, before you commit to anything.
Nothing to pay to get started. We recruit first, you pay once you've met candidates and chosen someone.
Filipino virtual assistant rates · reviewed August 2026
The short answer, before you scroll
If you only want the numbers, they're here. Everything below this point explains where they come from and what they leave out.
Rates are the published VA MASTERS ranges for each role category, last reviewed August 2026. They are what the client pays per hour of work, not a salary figure, and they already include recruitment, HR, payroll and ongoing support.
Why the hourly rate on its own tells you almost nothing
Nearly every business owner who lands on a page like this arrives with one number in their head: what they currently pay someone per hour. They then compare it to a Filipino virtual assistant rate, see a gap, and assume that gap is the saving.
It isn't, and the mistake runs in both directions. The local number is understated, because a wage is not a cost. Employer taxes, benefits, a desk, a laptop, software seats and the recruitment spend all sit on top of it, and together they routinely add 40% to 70% to the headline wage. Meanwhile the agency number is often assumed to be understated too, with people expecting management fees and setup costs to appear later. In our case they don't, which is a fair thing to be sceptical about until you've read what the rate covers.
So this calculator does the only thing that makes the comparison honest. It builds the local side up to its real total, using figures you control, and puts it against a single all inclusive hourly rate on the other side. The result is usually larger than people expect, and occasionally smaller, which is the point of running it rather than guessing.
“I've saved around 75% on design costs compared to hiring locally, and I can take on more orders without worrying about bottlenecks.”Yoni · Entrepreneur · E-commerce
No black box
How the calculator gets to that number
Most savings calculators hide the assumptions, which is why nobody believes them. Here is exactly what happens to the numbers you type in.
The local side
Your hourly rate is multiplied by the monthly hours, which is weekly hours × 52 ÷ 12. Employer taxes and benefits are added as a percentage on top of the wage. Desk, equipment and software are added as a flat monthly figure. Recruitment cost is treated as a one off and only appears in the year one number.
The VA MASTERS side
One hourly rate multiplied by the same monthly hours. That rate already includes recruitment, screening, the skills test, payroll, HR administration, time tracking and your account manager. There is no second line item, no employer tax and no desk to pay for.
Why the percentage lands where it does
The saving is not just the wage difference. A local hire at $35 an hour with a standard benefits package and a desk costs closer to $50 an hour once everything is counted. That is the number the VA rate is really competing with, which is how the total can reach up to 80% depending on the role and the market you're hiring in.
VA Masters rates: virtual assistants start from $6.50/hr, billed monthly only for hours worked, with no recruitment fees and a 30-day trial. See rates by role and our terms on our pricing page.
“We hired four virtual assistants for administration, operations, customer support and social media, and saved over 30% in administrative and operational expenses.”Yotam · CEO · Medical Tourism Agency
The part the hourly rate doesn't show
What a local hire actually costs
Business owners compare an hourly rate to an hourly rate and wonder why the maths never works out. The wage is usually somewhere between half and two thirds of the real number.
Employment taxes
Payroll taxes, unemployment insurance and statutory contributions typically add 7% to 15% on top of the wage, before any benefits are discussed.
Benefits
Health cover, retirement contributions, paid leave and sick days commonly add another 20% to 40%, depending on how competitive the package needs to be.
Desk and equipment
Workspace, utilities, a laptop, a phone and software seats run roughly $300 to $600 a month per person in most markets, even in hybrid setups.
Recruitment
Advertising, agency fees, screening and interviewing. Even done in house, the time cost is real, and an agency fee of 15% to 25% of first year salary is common.
Your own hours
Writing the job post, sifting applications, running interviews and building a test. For one role that is routinely 30 to 40 hours of the owner's time.
The rehire risk
If the person leaves inside a year, most of the above happens again. That risk is the single biggest hidden cost and it never appears on a salary line.
Want the real number for your role, not an estimate?
Twenty minutes on a call and you'll have the exact hourly range, the monthly total and a realistic timeline for the role you have in mind.
- Nothing to pay to get started
- No recruitment fee, ever
- Candidates within a few business days
- Free replacement if it isn't a fit
The rates behind the calculator
What a Filipino virtual assistant costs per hour
These are the published ranges the calculator uses. Where a candidate lands inside a range depends on their experience and specialisation, and you see the exact rate before you commit to anything.
See all 15 role categories
Where these rates come from
They are our own placement rates, not a market survey. They reflect what clients actually pay across active engagements in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe, and they are reviewed as the market moves. If you see a lower number quoted elsewhere for the same role, it is almost always a rate that excludes recruitment, payroll, HR or replacement.
Did rates change going into 2026?
Modestly, and mostly at the specialist end. Administrative and e-commerce support has been stable. Data, automation and technical roles have moved up as the pool of Filipino professionals with those skills gets pulled into competitive global hiring. Anyone quoting you 2023 numbers for an automation or analytics role is quoting a rate that no longer wins candidates.
What that hourly rate already covers
- Job post written for your specific role
- Sourcing, headhunting and referrals
- Screening for experience, English, equipment and home setup
- A skills test built around a real task from your business
- In depth interviews before you see anyone
- Payroll and HR administration
- Time tracking
- Regular check ins and performance reviews
- An account manager who stays with you
- A replacement at no extra cost if it isn't a fit
“Hiring a QuickBooks expert and a real estate administrative VA changed how I run the whole business. The cost savings compared to local hires are substantial.”Ari · Entrepreneur · Real Estate
Not case studies we wrote
Two owners talking about their own numbers
What they hired for, what it was costing them before, and what actually changed once someone was in the seat.
Side by side
The same role, two ways of filling it
Cost is only one line of this. The rest is where the time goes.
“Finding a competent executive assistant locally was going to cost over $5,200 a month. VA Masters found me someone better for a fraction of that. She manages my calendar, travel, meeting briefs and action items.”
“I was literally about to hire someone at about $25 an hour when a friend told me about VA Masters. Within 2 weeks I had someone handling tenant calls, leases and maintenance coordination. They handle the payroll side too.”
“Running 30+ rental properties across three states was consuming my entire day. VA Masters found me someone within two weeks. I went from 60-hour weeks to actually having time to scout new properties.”
“I've saved around 75% on design costs compared to hiring locally. Fast turnaround and attention to detail have helped me meet tight deadlines and keep clients happy.”
“We hired four virtual assistants for administration, operations, customer support and social media, and saved us over 30% in administrative and operational expenses.”
“Hiring a QuickBooks expert and a real estate administrative VA changed how I run the whole business. The cost savings compared to local hires are substantial.”
After the number
The saving is the boring half
Cutting a line item is useful. What clients actually talk about a year later is what the freed hours and freed budget went into.
Roles you couldn't justify
The work that genuinely needs a person but never needed a $70,000 person finally gets filled.
Capacity to say yes
You stop turning down work because there's nobody to service it.
Processes out of your head
Part of what a good assistant does in month one is document how you actually work.
Your own week back
Twenty hours a month of admin off your plate is twenty hours for the thing only you can do.
Your number is on the screen. The next step costs nothing.
We recruit first and at our cost. You only pay once you've interviewed candidates and picked the person you want.
Prefer to message? WhatsApp us or email [email protected]
A distinction that trips a lot of people up
An agency rate and a salary are not the same number
A lot of the confusion around what a Filipino virtual assistant costs comes from comparing two things that were never comparable.
What you'll find quoted as a salary
Figures posted on job boards and salary aggregators describe what an individual earns in a direct arrangement. They exclude the cost of finding that person, testing them, running their payroll, covering statutory obligations, managing performance and replacing them if it doesn't work. Those costs don't disappear. They land on you.
What the rate on this page is
One all inclusive hourly price for a fully managed placement. The person is compensated professionally for their market, on time, with an annual review, and every function around that role is run for you. We don't publish a breakdown of what sits inside the rate, for the same reason no agency does, but nothing is added to it later.
Why paying properly is your interest, not just theirs
The cheapest offshore hire is the one you replace twice a year. Every replacement costs you the onboarding time, the process knowledge and the momentum, none of which show up on an invoice. Our VAs rate us 5.0 on Indeed and Glassdoor, and those are their reviews on sites we don't control. Retention is the part of this that protects your calculation.
“Everything from payroll to performance reviews is managed smoothly, so I can focus on my business without getting bogged down by admin work.”Shira · Owner · Recruitment Agency
Read this before you act on the number
Seven things the calculator can't tell you
A savings figure is a starting point, not a decision. These are the things that actually determine whether the number holds up twelve months later, and we'd rather you hear them here than find them out afterwards.
1. Onboarding is real work, at the start
Plan on thirty to sixty minutes a day for the first two weeks. That is the period where you're showing someone how you work. The clients who protect that time are the ones who end up delegating the most, and the ones who skip it are the ones who conclude that this doesn't work.
2. We are not the cheapest, deliberately
Marketplaces quote lower because you become the recruiter, the tester, the payroll department and the quality control. If the lowest possible hourly number is the goal, we're honestly not the right answer and we'll say so on a call.
3. Some work can't leave the building
Anything needing physical presence, handling stock or equipment, or a licence to practise in your jurisdiction, isn't a fit. Supporting a licensed professional is fine. Being one isn't.
4. There's a minimum monthly commitment
We agree minimum hours per month with you so the person has stable work, which is what keeps good people in the seat. There's no lock in period, and the hours are adjustable with notice, but the number isn't zero.
5. The saving isn't instant
Recruitment takes a few business days to a few weeks depending on how specialised the role is. The monthly figure in the calculator starts when the person starts, not when you book a call.
6. If you can't describe the work, it won't work
You don't need documented processes. Almost nobody has them, and building them is part of what a good assistant does in month one. But you do need to be able to explain a task out loud. If you can't yet, come back in a month, genuinely.
7. Time zone is a decision, not an accident
Our VAs work your business hours, US shifts included. That gets agreed before recruiting starts, so candidates only reach you if the schedule genuinely works for them long term rather than for the first three months.
And one thing in your favour
Nothing above costs you anything to find out. You sign the agreement, we recruit at our cost, and if none of the candidates are right you walk away having spent an hour interviewing. The downside of testing this is genuinely small.
“Their team consistently delivers high-quality candidates who are not only skilled but also aligned with our company culture.”Gary · COO · Wellness Startup
Our data and client results have been covered by
Questions about the numbers
Virtual assistant cost, answered
How much does a Filipino virtual assistant cost per hour?
Between $6.50 and $25 an hour depending on the role and the person's experience. Administrative and e-commerce support starts at $6.50, marketing and finance roles sit in the $7.50 to $15 band, and specialist technical work runs higher. The full rate card is above and it is the same one the calculator uses.
What does a full time virtual assistant cost per month?
At 40 hours a week, which is about 173 hours a month, most roles land between roughly $1,100 and $2,600 a month. Specialist technical roles go above that. Part time scales down proportionally.
Is the hourly rate all I pay?
Yes. The rate includes recruitment, screening, the custom skills test, payroll, HR administration, time tracking, ongoing check ins and your account manager. There is no recruitment fee, no setup fee and no separate management retainer.
How much can I actually save compared to hiring locally?
Up to 80% compared with a local hire, depending on the role and your market. The gap is wider than the wage difference alone because a local hire also carries employer taxes, benefits, workspace, equipment and recruitment cost. The calculator adds all of those to the local side, which is why the percentage usually surprises people.
Do I pay anything to get started?
No. You sign the service agreement and we begin recruiting at our own cost. Payment only enters the picture after you have interviewed candidates and chosen someone.
How accurate is this calculator?
The VA side is accurate, because it uses our published rate ranges rather than an estimate. The local side is only as accurate as the figures you enter. Treat the output as a well informed estimate and get the exact rate for your role on a call.
Are cheaper virtual assistants available elsewhere?
Yes, and we're honest about that. Marketplaces will quote lower, because you are then doing the sourcing, screening, testing, payroll and quality control yourself. Our rate exists because that work is done for you and because the person is paid properly enough to stay. The cheapest offshore hire is usually the one you replace twice a year.
Can they work my hours and time zone?
Yes. The schedule is agreed before recruiting begins, including US, UK and Australian business hours, and only candidates committed to those hours long term reach your shortlist.
How quickly can someone start?
Candidates are usually presented within a few business days of the kickoff call. Most clients have someone working within two to three weeks of the first conversation.
Who employs the virtual assistant?
We handle the employment relationship, payroll and HR administration. You get one invoice a month for the hours worked and you manage the day to day work, nothing else.
What if the person isn't the right fit?
We recruit a replacement at no extra cost. If it happens right at the start, the advance is refunded minus the hours actually worked.
How much should I pay a Filipino virtual assistant?
Through a managed agency in 2026, between $6.50 and $25 an hour depending on the role. General administrative and e-commerce support sits at $6.50 to $10.00, real estate and content support at $7.00 to $12.00, marketing at $8.50 to $15.00, and data, analytics and software roles at $9.50 to $17.00. Development and technical work runs to $25.00.
What is the average hourly rate for a virtual assistant in the Philippines in 2026?
There isn't a single average worth quoting, because the spread between an administrative role and a technical one is roughly four to one. The honest answer is a band. Most general and operational roles fall between $6.50 and $12.00 an hour, most specialist roles between $8.50 and $17.00, and technical development above that. Anyone giving you one average number is flattening a range that matters.
What does a general admin virtual assistant cost per hour?
$6.50 to $10.00 an hour through VA MASTERS, which is about $1,125 to $1,730 a month at full time. That covers inbox and calendar management, data entry, CRM updates, document preparation, scheduling and follow ups, along with recruitment, payroll, HR and ongoing support.
Why do rates for 2026 differ from the 2025 numbers I've seen?
Administrative and e-commerce rates have been broadly stable. The movement has been at the specialist end, particularly data, automation and technical roles, where Filipino professionals with those skills are now competing in a global hiring market. If a page is quoting you 2023 or 2024 rates for an automation or analytics role, it is quoting a rate that no longer attracts candidates.
Is the rate the same as the virtual assistant's salary?
No, and conflating the two is the most common mistake on this topic. Salary figures on job boards describe what an individual earns in a direct arrangement, with no recruitment, testing, payroll, statutory obligations, performance management or replacement attached. The rate on this page is an all inclusive price for a fully managed placement with all of that included.
Is VA MASTERS a legitimate agency for hiring in the Philippines?
VA MASTERS is a boutique recruitment agency that has placed over 1,000 virtual assistants with businesses across the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe. Client reviews are public on Trustpilot, and the VAs themselves rate the company 5.0 on both Indeed and Glassdoor, which are sites we don't control. There is no fee to start, so testing the process costs nothing but an hour of interviews.
Is it cheaper to hire a Filipino VA directly instead of through an agency?
The hourly number is lower. The total usually isn't. Going direct means you write the job post, sift several hundred applications, build and mark a skills test, run the interviews, handle payments and statutory matters, manage performance, and start again from zero if the person leaves. For one role that is commonly 30 to 40 hours of owner time before anyone starts work.
Does the calculator work for part time roles?
Yes. Set the hours slider anywhere from five to forty hours a week and everything recalculates. Bear in mind that full time attracts stronger candidates, because the best applicants are generally looking for a stable full time role.
Can I share these numbers with my business partner or accountant?
Yes. "Copy summary" puts a plain text breakdown on your clipboard, ready to paste into an email or a message. "Copy shareable link" produces a URL with your figures already loaded, so whoever opens it sees exactly the scenario you built rather than the defaults.
Is a part time virtual assistant worth it?
Often, yes. Twenty hours a week still removes most routine admin. Full time attracts stronger candidates, since the best applicants generally want a stable full time role, so if the work is there it is usually the better hire.
“I have hired two virtual assistants, one for video editing and one for bookkeeping. They've been competent, attentive and professional.”Shmuel · Founder · Health & Wellness
Keep reading
How much does a virtual assistant cost?
The full pricing breakdown by role, region and engagement type.
US vs Philippines cost comparison
The same roles priced side by side, with the overheads included.
In-house vs VA MASTERS recruitment cost
What running the search yourself really costs, in money and hours.
Anne is the Operations Manager at VA MASTERS, a recruitment agency specializing in Filipino virtual assistants for global businesses. She leads the end-to-end recruitment process — from custom job briefs and skills testing to candidate delivery and ongoing VA management — and has personally overseen the placement of 1,000+ virtual assistants across industries including e-commerce, real estate, healthcare, fintech, digital marketing, and legal services.
With deep expertise in Philippine work culture, remote team integration, and business process optimization, Anne helps clients achieve up to 80% cost savings compared to local hiring while maintaining top-tier quality and performance.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +13127660301
