★ 2026 Pay Benchmarks

Virtual Assistant Salary Guide: What Should You Pay a VA?

Q: How much should I pay a virtual assistant per hour?

For a Filipino VA, $3–$8/hour covers most general and admin roles, rising to $8–$18/hour for specialists like developers or paid-media experts. Full-time monthly salaries usually work out cheaper per hour.

Q: Is it cheaper to hire a VA hourly or monthly?

For ongoing work, a full-time monthly salary is almost always better value — you get commitment, consistency, and a lower effective hourly rate. Hourly suits variable or short-term needs.

Q: Do I pay commission on top of a VA's salary?

On a direct-hire platform like OnlineJobs.ph, no — you pay a flat monthly subscription while recruiting, then the salary in full. Marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr take a percentage, raising your effective cost.

Q: Should I offer raises and bonuses?

Yes. A modest raise as a VA takes on more responsibility is far cheaper than re-hiring and retraining. A 13th-month bonus is also customary in the Philippines.

Q: Where can I hire a VA at these rates?

These direct-hire rates are typical on OnlineJobs.ph. Compare all options in our best sites to hire a Filipino VA guide, then follow our step-by-step hiring process.

Real 2026 pay benchmarks for Filipino virtual assistants — role by role, by experience level, hourly and monthly. Everything you need to set a fair budget and hire with confidence.

By the OnlineVAJobs.pro editorial team Updated July 2026 10 min read

$400–$700

General VA, full-time / month

$3–$8

Typical hourly range

Commission on direct-hire platforms

60–70%

Typical saving vs Western hire

Start Here

How much does a virtual assistant cost?

For most businesses hiring a Filipino VA, a skilled full-time general assistant costs roughly $400–$700 per month — a fraction of an equivalent Western hire, with no drop in quality for the right role. Specialists like designers, developers, and marketers command more, which we break down below.

The exact number depends on the role, experience level, English fluency, and where you hire. On a direct-hire platform like OnlineJobs.ph you pay the salary in full with zero commission, so the figures here are close to your true cost — unlike marketplaces that add fees on top.

Note: All figures are typical 2026 ranges for full-time Filipino VAs (40 hrs/week), stated in USD. Rates vary by individual, agency vs direct hire, and negotiation. Always confirm current expectations with candidates.

Role By Role

Virtual assistant salary by role

Typical monthly (full-time) and hourly rates for the most-hired VA roles in 2026.

Role	Hourly	Full-time / month
General Virtual Assistant	$3 – $6	$400 – $700
Data Entry / Admin	$3 – $5	$400 – $600
Customer Support Agent	$4 – $7	$500 – $900
Social Media Manager	$5 – $9	$600 – $1,100
Executive Assistant	$5 – $9	$700 – $1,000
Bookkeeper	$5 – $10	$600 – $1,200
Graphic Designer	$5 – $10	$600 – $1,200
Video Editor	$6 – $12	$700 – $1,400
Content Writer	$5 – $11	$600 – $1,300
SEO / Paid Media Specialist	$7 – $15	$1,000 – $2,000
Web / Full-Stack Developer	$8 – $18	$1,200 – $2,500

Ranges reflect direct-hire rates for Filipino VAs. Agencies and managed platforms typically cost more.

By Experience

Pay by experience level

Within any role, experience is the biggest driver of pay. Here's how a general VA's monthly rate typically scales.

Entry level

$300–$450 /mo

0–2 years. Great for straightforward, well-documented tasks. Expect to invest more in training and clear instructions.

Intermediate

$450–$800 /mo

2–5 years. The sweet spot for most hires — reliable, needs little hand-holding, and can own recurring workflows.

Expert / specialist

$800–$2,500 /mo

5+ years or specialized skills. Works independently, manages projects, and often leads other VAs.

The Big Picture

Why the savings are so large

The same general-admin role, compared as an annual full-time cost:

US-based assistant

~$45,000

Per year, plus payroll taxes, benefits, and overhead.

Filipino VA (direct hire)

~$7,200

Per year at ~$600/month, with no commission on a direct-hire platform.

That's the core reason so many founders build their teams this way. The talent is genuinely skilled — the gap is cost of living, not capability. See how to find them in our best sites to hire a Filipino VA ranking and our step-by-step hiring guide.

What Moves The Number

5 factors that affect VA pay

1
Skill & specializationGeneral admin sits at the low end; technical and creative specialists (dev, video, paid media) command multiples more.
2
Experience & track recordProven VAs with strong reviews and a verified history charge more — and are usually worth it in saved management time.
3
English fluencyClient-facing roles (support, executive assistant) pay a premium for excellent written and spoken English.
4
Hours & time-zone overlapFull-time and roles that require working your business hours (e.g. US time) typically cost more than flexible part-time.
5
Direct hire vs agencyDirect hire (no commission) is cheapest; managed agencies bundle vetting and payroll but add a markup.

Budgeting tip: Once you set a rate, keep salaries, hours, and review dates organized in one place so raises and check-ins never slip. A simple planner like RytePad — daily to-dos, goals, and notes in one spot — makes managing a growing VA team painless.

Good To Know

Virtual assistant salary FAQ

How much should I pay a virtual assistant per hour?

For a Filipino VA, $3–$8/hour covers most general and admin roles, rising to $8–$18/hour for specialists like developers or paid-media experts. Full-time monthly salaries usually work out cheaper per hour than casual hourly work.

Is it cheaper to hire a VA hourly or monthly?

For ongoing work, a full-time monthly salary is almost always better value — you get commitment, consistency, and a lower effective hourly rate. Hourly suits variable or short-term needs.

Do I pay commission on top of a VA's salary?

On a direct-hire platform like OnlineJobs.ph, no — you pay a flat monthly subscription while recruiting, then the salary in full. Marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr take a percentage, raising your effective cost. See OnlineJobs.ph vs Upwork.

Should I offer raises and bonuses?

Yes. Good VAs are in demand, and a modest raise as they take on more responsibility is far cheaper than re-hiring and retraining. A 13th-month bonus is also customary in the Philippines and greatly appreciated.

Where can I hire a VA at these rates?

These direct-hire rates are typical on OnlineJobs.ph. Compare all your options in our best sites to hire a Filipino VA guide, then follow our step-by-step hiring process.

Found your budget? Find your VA.

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About this guide

This salary guide was researched and published by the editorial team at OnlineVAJobs.pro, an independent directory of remote-work and virtual-assistant platforms. Benchmarks are based on hands-on experience and current platform data. OnlineVAJobs.pro is a project by Marksurge, a performance-marketing agency helping brands grow through content and paid media.

OnlineVAJobs.pro is an independent directory and review site, and is not affiliated with, or the official website of, OnlineJobs.ph. Salary figures are typical ranges for informational purposes only and are not guarantees. Some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you sign up through them at no extra cost to you. Always confirm current rates directly with candidates and platforms.