How much does a virtual assistant cost in 2026?
Quick answer
In 2026 a virtual assistant costs anywhere from about $3 to over $65 an hour. Offshore freelancers in India or the Philippines charge roughly $3 to $15 an hour, US-based freelancers average about $24 an hour, and managed US agencies charge $36 to $65 an hour. A managed offshore assistant, like VirtualTask360, costs about $10 an hour, from $399 a month.
Virtual assistant rates at a glance
The price of a virtual assistant depends on two things: where the assistant lives and how you hire them. Here are typical 2026 rates from published market research.
| Type of virtual assistant | Typical hourly rate |
|---|---|
| Freelancer based in India | About $3 to $15 |
| Freelancer based in the Philippines | About $3 to $12 |
| US-based freelancer | About $19 to $32 (average $24.40) |
| US virtual assistant agency | About $36 to $65 (specialist roles up to $79) |
| UK virtual assistant agency | About £30 to £40 |
| VirtualTask360 (managed, offshore) | About $10 ($399 for 40 hours) |
Sources: Stealth Agents, 2026 VA cost research (US, India, Philippines and agency rates, citing ZipRecruiter for the US average); VA Masters, UK VA companies 2026 (UK agency rates).
How does location change the price of a virtual assistant?
Location is the biggest single factor. A US-based assistant costs more because of US living costs, taxes and wages. Assistants in India and the Philippines charge much less for the same type of admin work, and many have years of experience working with international clients.
The trade-off is time zone and communication. Offshore assistants who work your business hours and write fluent English remove most of that gap. That's why we ask every VirtualTask360 assistant to work their client's day, not their own.
Freelancer, agency or managed service: which costs less?
How you hire changes both the price and how much work you do yourself.
- Freelance marketplaces such as Upwork or Fiverr are the cheapest per hour, but you find, test, manage and replace the assistant yourself. Marketplaces also add fees: Upwork charges clients a 3 to 5% marketplace fee on its Basic plan, and Fiverr takes 20% from sellers.
- US agencies such as Belay, Boldly and Time Etc work out at roughly $36 to $65 an hour. You get vetting and management, at the highest price.
- Managed offshore services sit in between. You get a vetted, dedicated assistant with a manager and replacement cover, at offshore rates. VirtualTask360 plans work out at about $10 an hour.
Compare the options side by side in our guide to VA agencies vs freelancers.
What hidden costs should you budget for?
- Your time hiring: writing job posts, interviewing and testing candidates takes many hours for every hire.
- Onboarding: expect a week of lighter output while your assistant learns your tools. Our 7-day onboarding guide shortens it.
- Replacement: if a freelancer leaves, you start again. Managed services replace the assistant for you.
- Tools: most assistants work in your existing tools, but some tasks need a password manager or a project tool.
- Platform fees: marketplaces add fees on top of the hourly rate.
How much does a virtual assistant cost per month?
Most small businesses buy hours in monthly blocks. At VirtualTask360:
| Plan | Hours per month | Price | Effective hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 40 (about 10 a week) | $399 | About $10 |
| Part-time | 80 (about 20 a week) | $749 | About $9.40 |
| Full-time | 160 (about 40 a week) | $1,399 | About $8.75 |
For comparison, 80 hours a month with a US agency at $36 to $65 an hour would cost about $2,880 to $5,200. Try our savings calculator with your own tasks.
How do you choose the right option?
- List the tasks you want to hand off and estimate the hours. Our list of 60 tasks to delegate helps.
- Decide how much managing you want to do. If you don't want to hire and supervise, choose an agency or managed service.
- Check time-zone overlap and English on a short call before you commit.
- Start with a trial month and a small set of tasks, then grow.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a virtual assistant cost per hour?
In 2026, roughly $3 to $15 an hour for offshore freelancers, about $24 an hour on average for US-based freelancers, and $36 to $65 an hour for US agencies. VirtualTask360 works out at about $10 an hour.
How much does a full-time virtual assistant cost per month?
A full-time virtual assistant (about 160 hours a month) costs around $1,399 a month with VirtualTask360. A US agency at $36 to $65 an hour would cost roughly $5,800 to $10,400 for the same hours.
Why are offshore virtual assistants cheaper?
Mainly lower living costs and wages in countries like India and the Philippines. Skilled assistants there can charge less while earning a good local income.
Is a cheaper virtual assistant worse?
Not necessarily. Quality depends on vetting, training, English and management more than location. A managed offshore assistant can match an agency's quality at a fraction of the price.
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