Virtual Assistant Cost 2026: Philippines vs U.S. Hire by Role
Short answer: a full-time administrative assistant in the U.S. costs an employer about $5,150 per month once benefits and payroll taxes are added (BLS median wage plus ~30% employer costs). Published full-time rates for a Philippine virtual assistant through managed staffing providers ran about $1,143–$1,883 per month in October 2026. At AlgoFlamingo, plans start at $199/month for focused help with everyday tasks, and the final rate depends on role, hours and experience.
Below are the numbers for seven common roles, how we calculated them, and what isn't included.
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Virtual assistant cost vs U.S. hire, by role
| Role | U.S. median wage (BLS, May 2025) | U.S. employer cost per month (wage + ~30%) | Published Philippine full-time rates per month (Oct 2026 sample) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual / administrative assistant | $47,540/yr | ~$5,150 | $1,143–$1,883 |
| Executive assistant | $76,590/yr | ~$8,297 | $1,600–$2,400 |
| Customer support representative | $44,770/yr | ~$4,850 | $1,143–$1,554 |
| Bookkeeper | $50,670/yr | ~$5,489 | $1,387–$2,212 |
| Digital marketing specialist | $78,760/yr | ~$8,532 | $1,472–$2,459 |
| Graphic and multimedia designer | $62,960/yr | ~$6,821 | $1,060–$2,047 |
| Web developer | $92,650/yr | ~$10,037 | $1,472–$2,623 |
Estimates for illustration only, not a quote. The Philippine figures are published rates of Philippine managed staffing providers, not AlgoFlamingo prices. Savings are not guaranteed.
How we calculated these numbers
U.S. side
- Wages: national median annual wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, for the closest occupation, e.g. secretaries and administrative assistants, customer service representatives, bookkeeping clerks, graphic designers and web developers.
- Employer costs: +30% for benefits and payroll taxes on a full-time hire, based on the BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, June 2026.
- Not included: recruiting, office space, equipment, software seats and management time. Including them would widen the gap.
Philippine side
- Published full-time client rates from at least two Philippine managed staffing providers per role, captured on October 3, 2026. Hourly rates were converted to a full-time month at 173.3 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks ÷ 12).
- The full list of sources is in the method notes on our virtual assistant page.
Why is a Filipino virtual assistant cheaper?
Mostly because pay levels in the Philippines are lower than in the U.S., not because the work is simpler. The country has a large, experienced services workforce: the IT and business process management industry employed about 1.9 million people in 2025, according to IBPAP. English is an official language, and the Philippines ranks in the "High proficiency" band of the EF English Proficiency Index 2025.
What AlgoFlamingo charges
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | From $199/month | Focused help with everyday admin, inbox, data entry and customer support |
| Dedicated | Custom quote | A full-time professional working the hours you need |
| Specialist | Custom quote | Developers, automation experts, bookkeepers and industry specialists |
$199/month is the entry plan. Your final rate depends on role, hours and experience, your shortlist shows the rate for each profile, and we confirm rate and terms before you start. Every plan includes free replacement if the hire isn't the right fit, no lock-in (month-to-month, cancel anytime) and a shortlist within 48–72 hours.
Hidden costs to budget for (any remote hire)
- Onboarding time: expect 1–2 weeks of your time writing steps and answering questions.
- Software seats: your VA needs their own logins for the tools they use.
- Overlap hours: if you need live coverage in U.S. hours, confirm night-shift availability upfront.
- Holidays: the Philippines has its own public holidays. Agree on holiday coverage before day one.
- Security setup: a password manager, two-factor authentication and least-privilege access.
FAQ
Q1: How much does a virtual assistant from the Philippines cost per month?
Published full-time rates from Philippine managed staffing providers ranged from about $1,143 to $1,883 per month for a general virtual or administrative assistant in October 2026. AlgoFlamingo plans start at $199 per month for focused help with everyday tasks, and the final rate depends on role, hours and experience.
Q2: How much does a U.S. administrative assistant cost an employer?
The BLS median wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $47,540 per year in May 2025. With about 30% added for benefits and payroll taxes, that's roughly $61,800 per year, or about $5,150 per month, before recruiting, equipment and office costs.
Q3: Is a virtual assistant cheaper than a part-time local hire?
Usually, yes. A 20-hour-per-week U.S. administrative assistant at the median wage costs about $26,400 per year including roughly 11% in employer costs. Compare that against the quoted rate for the hours you actually need.
Q4: What do I get for $199 a month with AlgoFlamingo?
$199 per month is AlgoFlamingo's entry plan for focused help with everyday work like inbox and calendar upkeep, data entry or customer emails. You get a vetted Filipino professional matched to your tasks and tools, free replacement and no lock-in.
Q5: Are the savings guaranteed?
No. These figures are estimates for illustration. Actual costs depend on location, experience and hours.
Related: How to hire a Filipino virtual assistant · Hire a Filipino virtual assistant from $199/month