Published May 12, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Virtual assistant costs range from $3/hr offshore dedicated to $50/hr for US-based specialized roles.
- The biggest cost driver is geography -- offshore dedicated VAs deliver full-time coverage at a fraction of local rates.
- Stealth Agents VAs start at $0-5/hr, making dedicated full-time support accessible for small and mid-size businesses.
- Shared or part-time VA models are cheaper upfront but cost more over time through lost context and inconsistent output.
- A dedicated VA working full-time saves most businesses $30,000-50,000 per year compared to an in-house hire.
The question "how much does a virtual assistant cost" doesn't have a single answer -- and that's not a dodge. It's because VA pricing depends on four variables that pull in completely different directions: location, skill level, hours needed, and whether the VA works exclusively for you or splits their time across clients. Getting those variables right matters more than finding the lowest headline rate.
Here's a clear breakdown of what the market actually looks like and where Stealth Agents fits in.
The Core Price Ranges
At the most general level, virtual assistant rates fall into three tiers:
Offshore dedicated VAs -- the most cost-effective option -- run $3-8/hr for general administrative work. These are full-time assistants based in countries like the Philippines, where strong English proficiency, professional work culture, and lower cost of living combine to make the rates sustainable for skilled workers while remaining accessible for businesses.
Offshore specialized VAs -- those with skills in areas like digital marketing, bookkeeping, or CRM management -- typically range from $8-15/hr depending on the depth of expertise required.
US-based VAs and specialized freelancers start around $20-25/hr for general admin and climb past $50/hr for roles involving legal, medical, or executive-level support. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants in the US exceeds $45,000 -- which translates to $21+/hr before benefits and payroll taxes push the real cost much higher.
Stealth Agents VAs start at $0-5/hr, making them among the most competitive dedicated full-time options available.
What Drives the Cost Difference
Rate differences are not purely about skill level -- they are mostly about geography and overhead.
A US-based executive assistant earning $55,000/year costs the employer closer to $70,000-75,000 when you factor in health insurance, payroll taxes, PTO, equipment, and office space. None of that overhead exists with a remote offshore VA. The VA brings their own equipment and internet. There is no desk to rent, no benefits package to administer.
The skills transfer more than most people expect. A Philippines-based VA with five years of executive support experience has handled the same task types -- calendar management, travel booking, inbox triage, CRM updates -- as a US-based assistant. The difference is the rate, not the work product.
The other major variable is dedicated vs. shared. Agencies that offer shared VA models charge less per hour, but your assistant is juggling multiple clients simultaneously. Context is shallow, turnaround is slower, and you end up spending more of your own time managing gaps. A dedicated full-time VA builds real knowledge of your business over months -- that compounds into faster, better output without constant re-briefing.
Stealth Agents places dedicated full-time VAs only. Every assistant is assigned to one client during their working hours.
Freelance Platforms vs. Agencies
If you hire directly through platforms like Upwork or Onlinejobs.ph, rates may appear lower. A general admin VA might quote $4-6/hr, which seems comparable to agency rates. But you take on the full hiring risk -- vetting applicants, running test tasks, negotiating contracts, and managing replacements if things go wrong. That process costs dozens of hours even when it goes smoothly.
An agency absorbs that work. Strong agencies -- including Stealth Agents -- handle sourcing, screening, matching, and onboarding. When a VA underperforms or needs to be replaced, the agency manages the transition. You do not start over from a blank job post.
For businesses with recurring, ongoing work, the agency model typically delivers better net value even if the hourly rate is slightly higher than a direct hire from a freelance platform.
What You Get at Each Price Point
At $3-5/hr (Stealth Agents range), you get a dedicated full-time VA capable of handling:
- Email and calendar management
- Data entry and CRM updates
- Customer service and live chat
- Research and reporting
- Social media scheduling
- Basic bookkeeping support
At $8-15/hr, you are typically looking at VAs with deeper specialization -- paid advertising support, content editing, project coordination, or technical platform management.
At $20-50/hr, you are in US-based or highly specialized territory: legal virtual assistants, medical billing coordinators, and C-suite executive assistants who need deep institutional knowledge and real-time US business hours availability.
Most small and mid-size businesses find that a $3-8/hr offshore dedicated VA covers 80-90% of their administrative and support needs at roughly one-tenth the cost of an in-house hire.
The Real Cost Comparison
Running the numbers directly:
| Expense | In-House Admin (US) | Stealth Agents VA |
|---|---|---|
| Base compensation | $45,000/yr | ~$9,600/yr (at $5/hr full-time) |
| Benefits & payroll taxes | $13,500/yr | $0 |
| Equipment & office | $3,000/yr | $0 |
| Recruiting & onboarding | $2,000 one-time | $0 |
| Total annual cost | $63,500+ | ~$9,600 |
The gap is not marginal. For most growing businesses, that $50,000+ difference is the single largest cost reduction they can make without cutting headcount that drives revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does a virtual assistant cost per month?
A: At Stealth Agents rates ($0-5/hr), a full-time VA working 160 hours/month costs roughly $800-800 per month. Part-time arrangements at 20 hours/month come in around $100-200/month. US-based VA services typically start at $1,500-2,500/month for part-time engagements.
Q: Is a cheaper VA always lower quality?
A: Not necessarily -- rate differences are mostly driven by geography and overhead, not skill. A well-vetted offshore VA at $4/hr often outperforms a rushed domestic hire at $25/hr. The key is the vetting process. A strong agency screens for English proficiency, reliability, and role-specific skills before any client interaction.
Q: What tasks can a VA at $5/hr actually handle?
A: General admin, inbox and calendar management, data entry, CRM updates, customer service, research, social media scheduling, and basic reporting. Stealth Agents VAs at this rate level have handled these tasks full-time for years -- it is not entry-level work.
Q: Are there hidden costs with VA services?
A: With reputable agencies, no -- the rate you see is what you pay. Watch for agencies that charge setup fees, replacement fees, or require long-term contracts with no exit clause. Stealth Agents pricing is transparent and there are no surprise charges layered on top of the base rate.
Q: How do I decide between a freelancer and an agency?
A: If you have time to vet, manage, and replace VAs yourself and want the lowest possible rate, a freelance platform works. If you want reliable placement, ongoing support, and someone else handling HR logistics, an agency delivers better net value -- especially for long-term engagements.
The cost of a virtual assistant is, in the end, a straightforward function of how much support you need and how much risk you want to absorb in getting there. For most businesses, a dedicated full-time offshore VA at $3-5/hr through a vetted agency is the highest-value path -- and the starting point, not just the budget option.