Published Jun 2, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Philippines-based dedicated VAs: $8-15/hr through agencies in 2026. Direct hire runs $4-8/hr but requires you to manage hiring, payroll, and HR.
- US-based VAs: $25-65/hr depending on specialization. Worth it when local knowledge, timezone, or specialized professional skills are required.
- Plan-based shared services (Fancy Hands, Time Etc, Zirtual): $10-50/hr effective rate with limited hours per month.
- Executive assistants and specialized VAs (legal, medical, financial): $15-35/hr for offshore, $50-150/hr for US-based specialists.
- Full-time dedicated Philippines VA through an agency: approximately $1,500-2,000/month all-in, no additional employer costs.
Virtual assistant pricing in 2026 has several distinct tiers based on geography, engagement model, and specialization. Understanding what drives cost at each tier helps you avoid paying too much for a task that does not require specialized expertise - or underspending on a role where experience genuinely matters.
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what virtual assistants cost in 2026.
Philippines-Based VAs: The Core Market
Philippines-based virtual assistants represent the largest segment of the global VA market and the most cost-competitive option for businesses that need consistent, skilled administrative or operational support.
Through a VA agency (dedicated): $8-15/hr in 2026. At this rate, a full-time VA (160 hours/month) runs approximately $1,280-$2,400/month. The agency handles hiring, HR, benefits, replacement support, and account management. You pay one flat rate with no additional employer overhead.
Direct hire via job board: $4-8/hr. The lower cost comes with higher management responsibility. You handle sourcing, vetting, onboarding, payroll, and replacement if the relationship does not work. Platforms like OnlineJobs.ph give you direct access to Philippines-based talent; the effective labor cost is lower, but the total employer cost (time to source, manage, and replace) closes much of the gap.
Stealth Agents starting rate: $10/hr for dedicated full-time Philippines VAs. At the midpoint of the agency range with agency-backed support included.
US-Based VAs: When Local Matters
US-based virtual assistants are typically priced at $25-65/hr for general administrative and business support work. The premium reflects US labor costs and, for the roles where it matters, US cultural context and professional background.
General US VA: $25-35/hr through services like Time Etc, Belay, or Prialto.
Specialized US VA (executive assistant, marketing coordinator, project manager): $40-65/hr.
US-based firm with Philippines delivery (Prialto model): $18-25/hr effective rate - US oversight with offshore execution.
US-based makes sense when: your VA regularly represents your company in phone or video communications where US English and cultural fluency are visible to clients; your tasks require specific US regulatory knowledge; or same-timezone synchronous working hours are genuinely critical.
For most administrative and operational tasks - email management, scheduling, research, data entry, social media management, CRM maintenance - Philippines-based output quality is comparable at 40-60% lower cost.
Plan-Based Shared Services
Several VA platforms offer shared access models where a pool of assistants handles tasks for multiple clients simultaneously.
| Service | Plan Range | Effective Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fancy Hands | $30-150/month (5-30 tasks) | Variable by task |
| Time Etc | $290-1,380/month (10-60 hrs) | $23-29/hr |
| Zirtual | $549-1,699/month (12-50 hrs) | $34-46/hr |
| Ossisto | $159-599/month (20-80 hrs) | $7.50-8/hr |
The shared model is cost-effective for businesses with occasional, variable task needs. For businesses that need consistent daily coverage - an ongoing operational role - the dedicated model produces better outcomes because the VA builds institutional knowledge rather than starting fresh with each request.
Specialized VA Pricing
Specialization adds significant cost at both the offshore and domestic tiers.
Medical VAs (HIPAA-trained, EHR experience): $10-15/hr Philippines-based agencies (Hello Rache, Stealth Agents medical tier). US-based: $25-45/hr.
Legal VAs (paralegal support, legal research): $12-20/hr offshore. US-based: $35-75/hr.
Financial VAs (bookkeeping, QuickBooks, financial reporting): $12-18/hr offshore. US-based: $30-60/hr.
Automation/technical VAs (n8n, Make.com, Zapier, API work): $12-20/hr Philippines-based. US-based: $40-80/hr.
Executive assistants (C-suite support, high-discretion work): $15-25/hr Philippines-based dedicated. US-based: $45-100/hr.
What Affects the Rate Within Each Tier
Within any geographic tier, several factors influence the specific rate:
Experience level: Entry-level VAs cost less; VAs with 5+ years of experience and a specialized track record cost more. Most agency tiers reflect this.
Full-time vs. part-time: Part-time allocations often carry a slight rate premium because the agency has lower utilization on part-time placements.
Specialization: Platform-specific skills (Salesforce, Shopify, specific medical EHRs) command a premium within offshore rates.
Dedicated vs. shared: Dedicated VAs cost more per hour than shared models because they are not split across other clients.
Total Cost of Ownership
The advertised hourly rate is not the full cost. For offshore dedicated VAs, consider:
Agency fees: Included in the rate at most agencies. Understand what is covered: does the rate include replacement support, account management, and quality oversight?
Platform/tool costs: If the VA needs access to paid tools (CRM, project management software, video editing software), those costs are separate.
Onboarding time: Budget 1-2 weeks of lower productivity while the VA learns your specific workflows.
Management time: A well-matched VA requires 1-2 hours/week of direction from you. Budget this in your own time cost.
The Right Rate for Common Use Cases
| Use Case | Recommended Tier | Typical Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| General admin (scheduling, inbox, research) | Philippines dedicated | $1,600-2,000/month |
| Social media management | Philippines dedicated | $1,600-2,000/month |
| Medical practice admin | Philippines medical VA | $1,600-2,400/month |
| Executive assistant (US-facing) | Philippines dedicated | $1,600-2,000/month |
| Bookkeeping support | Philippines specialist | $1,920-3,200/month |
| US executive with visible client role | US-based service | $4,000-8,000/month |
For most businesses whose primary need is operational support - not specialized professional knowledge - Philippines-based dedicated VAs through a reputable agency deliver the best value in 2026.
Stealth Agents places dedicated Philippines VAs starting at $10/hr. Visit Stealth Agents for current pricing or see the virtual assistant pricing page for plan details.
FAQ
Has VA pricing changed much from 2025 to 2026? Philippines-based VA rates have increased modestly (5-10%) over the past two years, reflecting inflation in the Philippines and increased demand from US businesses adopting remote work permanently. Rates remain significantly below comparable US labor costs.
Is it cheaper to hire a VA directly vs. through an agency? Direct hire is cheaper on the hourly rate but adds employer overhead: sourcing, HR, payroll, and replacement. For businesses managing one or two VAs, the agency model typically produces a lower total cost when management time is included.
Are there hidden fees with VA agencies? Reputable agencies charge a flat rate with no hidden fees. Clarify what is included: replacement policy, account management, and any usage caps before signing.