Updated Jun 8, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Virtual assistant cost per hour ranges from $5 to $75+ depending on location and specialization
- Offshore dedicated VAs (Philippines, Latin America) typically cost $8 to $15/hr for general admin
- Stealth Agents VAs start at $10/hr for dedicated full-time support - no shared or part-time arrangements
- Specialist VAs (bookkeeping, tech, design) command premium rates of $25 to $50+/hr
- Total cost of a local hire runs 1.5x to 2x base salary once benefits and overhead are included
The question comes up in almost every conversation about growing a business: how much does a virtual assistant actually cost? The honest answer is that rates vary enough to be confusing - but the range isn't random. Once you understand what drives pricing, you can find the right model for your budget and needs.
What Drives Virtual Assistant Hourly Rates
Four factors account for most of the variation in VA pricing.
Location. A VA based in the Philippines or Latin America costs significantly less than one in the US or UK - not because of lower quality, but because of cost-of-living differences. Many of the most experienced, highly rated VAs in the world work remotely from lower-cost regions.
Specialization. General admin VAs (inbox management, scheduling, data entry) command lower rates than specialists. A VA with bookkeeping experience, medical terminology knowledge, or technical skills in specific software will price accordingly.
Arrangement. Freelance marketplace VAs (hired per task or per hour through platforms like Upwork) typically have different pricing than agency VAs. Agency VAs usually cost more per hour but come with vetting, backup coverage, and management infrastructure.
Dedicated vs. shared. Some services offer "shared" VAs who split time across multiple clients. These cost less per hour but come with slower response times and less context on your specific business.
Typical Rate Ranges in 2026
Here's a realistic breakdown by tier:
| Entry-level offshore VA (Philippines, Latin America): $5 to $12/hr | Best for: repetitive admin tasks, data entry, basic scheduling, inbox triage |
|---|---|
| Mid-range offshore VA with experience: $10 to $20/hr | Best for: executive support, project coordination, customer service, social media management |
Stealth Agents dedicated full-time VAs start at $10/hr. These are full-time, dedicated - not shared - which means one VA works exclusively on your business, not splitting hours across multiple clients.
US-based freelance VA: $20 to $45/hr Best for: businesses that require domestic presence, specific timezone coverage, or native-English nuance
Specialist VA (bookkeeping, tech support, design): $25 to $75/hr Best for: skill-specific tasks where domain expertise is required
The Real Cost Comparison: VA vs. Local Hire
Most business owners underestimate the true cost of a local hire. Salary is just the starting point. Payroll taxes add roughly 7.65% on the employer side. Benefits (health, dental, PTO) typically add another 20 to 30% of base salary. Equipment, software, and office space add more.
A $40,000/year admin hire often costs $55,000 to $65,000 all-in. That's roughly $27 to $32 per working hour.
A dedicated full-time offshore VA at $10/hr costs approximately $20,800 per year at 40 hours per week - with no benefit overhead, no equipment cost, and no office space. The Society for Human Resource Management estimates average cost-per-hire for a full-time role at over $4,000 before the employee even starts.
The math isn't subtle.
What You Pay For When You Hire Through an Agency
Freelance platforms offer the lowest hourly rates but come with tradeoffs. You handle your own screening, interviews, and onboarding. If your VA leaves, you start over. There's no management layer to catch performance issues early.
Agency VAs cost more per hour but include vetting, replacement coverage, and ongoing management. The premium is effectively insurance against churn and a time-saver on the hiring side. For most business owners, the added cost is worth it because time spent re-hiring is expensive.
Stealth Agents specifically offers dedicated full-time VAs - not part-time or shared arrangements. The dedicated model means your VA builds context on your business over time, which compounds in value.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
A few things that don't show up in the hourly rate:
Setup and onboarding time. You'll spend 5 to 15 hours in the first two weeks documenting workflows, walking through tools, and reviewing output. This is a real time cost even if the VA is excellent.
Tool access. Your VA will need access to your software stack - CRM, project management, communication tools. Most modern SaaS tools have low or no marginal cost per seat, but it's worth auditing.
Revision cycles. A new VA will need feedback loops before output quality reaches your standard. Budget 2 to 4 weeks of closer management before the workflow is self-sustaining.
How to Choose the Right Tier
Start by listing every task you want to delegate and estimating hours per week. Then match the task complexity to the appropriate tier.
If most tasks are admin (inbox, scheduling, data entry), an offshore general VA at $10 to $12/hr is the right starting point. If you need specialized skills - bookkeeping, research, technical support - budget accordingly.
The mistake most people make is optimizing only for the lowest hourly rate. A $6/hr VA who needs 3 hours of back-and-forth to complete a task that should take 30 minutes isn't cheaper.
Q: What is the average cost of a virtual assistant per hour?
A: The average ranges from $8 to $25/hr depending on location and skill level. Offshore dedicated VAs for general admin typically run $8 to $15/hr. US-based VAs average $25 to $45/hr. Stealth Agents dedicated full-time VAs start at $10/hr.
Q: Is it cheaper to hire a VA through a marketplace or an agency?
A: Marketplace VAs (Upwork, Fiverr) typically have lower hourly rates but shift the sourcing and management burden to you. Agency VAs cost slightly more but include vetting, backup coverage, and management infrastructure. For most business owners handling core operations, the agency premium is worth it.
Q: Do virtual assistants charge by the hour or by the project?
A: Both models exist. Hourly billing is most common for ongoing work (admin, executive support, operations). Project-based billing is more common for one-time deliverables (research reports, content packages, process documentation). For recurring operational support, hourly or full-time retainer arrangements are usually more predictable.
If you're comparing options, the clearest way to evaluate value is total cost per productive hour - not just the rate on the invoice. Stealth Agents dedicated VAs start at $10/hr and work full-time on your business only. If you want to understand what that looks like against your current workload, it's worth a direct conversation with the team.