How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost in 2026?
A clear breakdown of virtual assistant costs: hourly wages by region and role, agency markups, placement fees, management fees, and hidden costs.
“How much does a VA cost?” has three answers, depending on how you hire. Here’s the full picture so you can compare quotes apples to apples.
The three cost components
Every VA arrangement is some mix of:
- The VA’s wage, what the person actually earns per hour.
- Acquisition cost, what it takes to find, test, and onboard them (your time or a placement fee).
- Management cost, payroll, time tracking, contracts, security, and replacement (your time or a monthly fee).
Agencies often bundle all three into one hourly rate. Placement services like GrowthToro separate them so you can see each.
VA wages by region
Rates depend on skill, experience, and specialization, so treat these as directional:
- Philippines: the lowest-cost English-fluent market. General admin sits at the bottom of the range; specialized roles (bookkeeping, CRM automation, mortgage support) earn more.
- Latin America: typically higher than the Philippines, with the advantage of US time zones and Spanish. See nearshore VAs.
- US-based VAs: substantially higher, often comparable to a local part-time employee without benefits.
VA wages by role
From lowest to highest, roughly:
- Data entry and general admin
- Customer support
- Executive assistant
- Social media and content
- Lead generation and appointment setting
- Bookkeeping
- CRM/automation specialist
- Industry specialists (mortgage, insurance, transaction coordination)
Pricing models you’ll see
All-in agency rate. One hourly price. Simple, but you can’t see the VA’s share, and the markup can be substantial.
Freelance marketplace. Pay the VA’s rate plus platform fees. Low cost, high time investment.
Placement fee + optional management. A one-time fee to recruit and onboard, then either pay the VA directly or add a monthly management fee. GrowthToro’s pricing: Direct Hire $2,500 one-time; Managed $2,000 one-time plus $300/month for the first VA and $75/month for each additional VA; CRM-Integrated $3,000 plus $250/month for the CRM.
Example: full-time admin VA, year one
Suppose a full-time VA (40 hours/week) at $9/hour:
| Item | Direct Hire | Managed |
|---|---|---|
| VA wages (2,080 hrs) | $18,720 | $18,720 |
| Placement fee | $2,500 | $2,000 |
| Management fee | $0 | $3,600 |
| Year one total | $21,220 | $24,320 |
Compare that to a local employee at $22/hour plus 25% for taxes, benefits, and overhead: about $57,200. Model your own numbers in the VA cost calculator.
Hidden costs to watch
- Your time sourcing and screening (often 15–25 hours per hire)
- Turnover: every replacement restarts training
- Software seats for the tools your VA needs
- Bonuses and holidays, such as 13th-month pay for Filipino VAs
- Payment transfer fees
More on this in the hidden costs of hiring a VA.
The real question is ROI
Cost alone is the wrong frame. If a VA frees 20 hours of your week for sales or client work, the return can be many times the cost. See how to calculate VA ROI.
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