Published Jun 2, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Philippines-based dedicated VA through an agency: $8-15/hr ($1,280-2,400/month full-time) in 2026.
- US-based general VA: $25-45/hr. US-based specialists: $45-100/hr.
- Shared/plan-based services: cost-effective for occasional tasks; dedicated models produce better results for ongoing operational roles.
- Stealth Agents dedicated Philippines VA: starting at $10/hr, approximately $1,600/month full-time with agency support included.
- Specializations (medical, legal, automation, executive) add 20-50% to the offshore baseline rate.
Virtual assistant cost in 2026 falls into predictable brackets once you understand the three main variables: where the VA is based, whether they work exclusively for you or across multiple clients, and what specialized skills they bring.
This guide covers what each tier actually costs and what you get for the money.
The Main Cost Tiers
Philippines-Based: $8-15/hr Through an Agency
Philippines-based virtual assistants represent the largest and most competitive segment of the VA market. Through a reputable agency like Stealth Agents, a dedicated Philippines VA runs $8-15/hr in 2026.
At full-time (160 hours/month), that is $1,280-$2,400/month - all-inclusive, with no additional payroll costs, benefits, or employer overhead. The agency handles HR, replacement support, and account management.
Direct hire via job boards like OnlineJobs.ph runs $4-8/hr on the VA side, but you absorb the sourcing, vetting, HR, and replacement costs. The effective total cost often narrows the gap to agencies.
US-Based: $25-65/hr
US-based virtual assistants are significantly more expensive, reflecting US labor costs. General administrative support through US-based services (Time Etc, Belay, Zirtual) runs $25-45/hr. Specialized roles with professional backgrounds run $45-65/hr.
US-based makes sense when the role requires: visible client-facing communication where US English fluency matters; specific US regulatory knowledge; or genuine same-timezone availability for synchronous work.
For most operational and administrative tasks, Philippines-based VAs produce comparable output at 40-60% lower cost.
Plan-Based Shared Services: Variable
Services like Fancy Hands, Time Etc, and Ossisto offer monthly plans with a set number of hours. The effective per-hour rate ranges from $8-45/hr depending on the service and tier.
These work for businesses with occasional, variable task volume. For businesses with consistent daily needs, shared models are less efficient because the VA does not build institutional knowledge of your specific operation.
What Drives Cost Within Each Tier
Specialization: A general administrative VA costs less than one with certified bookkeeping skills, medical EHR experience, or technical automation expertise. Specialization adds 20-50% above the base rate for offshore; proportionally more for US-based.
Full-time vs. part-time: Agencies often charge slightly higher effective rates for part-time placements due to lower utilization. The difference is usually small.
Experience level: More experienced VAs command higher rates. Most agencies tier their pricing to reflect this.
Dedicated vs. shared: Dedicated VAs cost more per hour than shared-pool models. The value is in the knowledge accumulation over time.
2026 Pricing Benchmarks
| Role | Philippines (Dedicated) | US-Based |
|---|---|---|
| General admin VA | $10/hr | $28-35/hr |
| Executive assistant | $12-18/hr | $45-65/hr |
| Social media VA | $10-14/hr | $25-40/hr |
| Medical VA (HIPAA) | $10-15/hr | $30-50/hr |
| Bookkeeping VA | $12-18/hr | $35-60/hr |
| Technical/automation VA | $14-22/hr | $45-80/hr |
Monthly Cost at Full-Time
| Tier | Hourly Rate | Monthly (160 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines agency (entry) | $10/hr | ~$1,600 |
| Philippines agency (specialist) | $15/hr | ~$2,400 |
| US-based general | $30/hr | ~$4,800 |
| US-based specialist | $55/hr | ~$8,800 |
What You Actually Get at Each Tier
$10/hr Philippines dedicated: General administrative support, social media management, data entry, research, inbox management, CRM maintenance, scheduling. Covers the majority of business operational needs.
$15/hr Philippines specialist: Specialized operational skills - medical administrative training, bookkeeping, automation platform expertise, or advanced creative work.
$30/hr US-based general: Similar task set to Philippines general VA, with US timezone and cultural alignment. Suitable when client-facing communication or US-specific knowledge is required.
$55/hr US-based specialist: Senior executive assistant, financial specialist, legal support, or experienced marketing coordinator. High-discretion work requiring professional judgment.
The Real Cost of Not Having a VA
The cost comparison is not just VA hourly rate vs. zero. It is VA rate vs. what the business owner or senior employee currently does with that time.
If a $100/hr executive is spending 20 hours/month on scheduling and inbox management, that is $2,000/month in executive time on $200/month worth of VA work. The ROI of the right VA placement is not the $200 saved - it is the $1,800 in redirected executive capacity.
Stealth Agents places dedicated Philippines VAs starting at $10/hr. Visit Stealth Agents or see package pricing for current plans.
FAQ
Is the hourly rate the only cost? Through a full-service agency, the hourly rate covers everything: VA salary, HR, management, and replacement. Separately, you pay for any tools the VA needs access to (CRM, project management software, etc.).
Do VA rates include holidays and sick time? Agency models typically provide coverage continuity - if your VA is unavailable, a replacement is arranged. Confirm the agency's coverage policy before signing.
Have rates increased from 2025? Philippines VA rates have increased 5-10% since 2024, primarily due to inflation and strong demand from US businesses. They remain significantly below comparable US labor costs.