Author: Martin English, CEO & Founding Partner
Published: November 28, 2025
TL;DR
Virtual assistants in the Philippines commonly cost US$3–US$10 per hour for salary-only planning, depending on role type, seniority, English communication, tools, timezone coverage, and whether the work is general admin, customer support, executive support, ecommerce, finance, or technical operations. For a full-time VA hired through an EOR, the true hourly cost should include salary, employer statutory costs, 13th-month pay accrual, benefits or allowances, and SOS’s flat US$190 per employee per month EOR fee.
For a full-time employee hired through an Employer of Record, the true hourly cost is not salary alone. It should include:
| Cost Component | What It Means |
| Base VA salary | The employee’s monthly gross pay converted into an hourly equivalent |
| Employer statutory costs | Employer-side SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and related payroll obligations |
| 13th-month pay accrual | Mandatory annual pay accrued into the monthly cost model |
| Benefits and allowances | HMO, equipment, internet, transport, or role-specific support |
| EOR service fee | Provider fee for employment, payroll, contracts, payslips, compliance, and support |
VA cost snapshot: salary-only vs EOR all-in cost
A Filipino VA’s hourly rate should be shown in two ways: the salary-only hourly rate and the all-in EOR hourly cost. Salary-only pricing is useful for quick comparisons, but finance teams should use the all-in cost when budgeting a full-time employee.
Use this quick snapshot:
| VA cost layer | What to include | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Salary-only hourly rate | Monthly salary ÷ 173 working hours | US$700 ÷ 173 = US$4.05/hour |
| 13th-month accrual | Monthly salary ÷ 12, then allocated monthly or hourly | US$700 ÷ 12 = US$58.33/month |
| Employer statutory costs | Employer-side SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and related payroll obligations | Calculate using current contribution tables |
| Benefits / allowances | HMO, internet, equipment, WFH, night shift, or role-specific support | Depends on package |
| SOS EOR fee | Flat US$190 per employee/month | US$190 ÷ 173 = US$1.10/hour |
| All-in EOR cost | Salary + statutory + 13th-month + benefits/allowances + EOR fee | Use this for finance planning |
Simple formula:
All-in monthly VA cost = monthly salary + employer statutory costs + 13th-month accrual + benefits/allowances + US$190 SOS EOR fee
Simple hourly formula:
All-in hourly VA cost = all-in monthly VA cost ÷ 173
This keeps the employee’s compensation separate from the EOR service fee, which makes the quote easier to audit.
Smart Outsourcing Solution charges a flat US$190 per employee per month for Philippines EOR service. Using a standard 173 working hours per month, that is about US$1.10 per hour for the EOR service layer, separate from salary and statutory costs. The SOS EOR pricing page states that the fee covers employment, payroll, statutory filings, compliant contracts, payslips, reporting, and standard support.
For the full employment-cost model, see EOR Pricing Philippines.
Quick Answer: What Is the Hourly Rate of a Virtual Assistant in the Philippines?
A practical 2026 benchmark for Filipino VA hourly rates is:
| VA type | Monthly salary range | Approx. hourly rate | Typical use case |
| General VA / Admin VA | US$500–US$800 | US$2.90–US$4.60/hour | Data entry, research, calendar support, CRM updates |
| Customer Support VA | US$550–US$850 | US$3.20–US$4.90/hour | Email, chat, ticketing, SLA support |
| Real Estate VA | US$600–US$950 | US$3.50–US$5.50/hour | Listings, lead follow-up, appointment support |
| Ecommerce / Shopify / Amazon VA | US$600–US$950 | US$3.50–US$5.50/hour | Product uploads, returns, order support, marketplace admin |
| Social Media / Marketing VA | US$650–US$1,050 | US$3.80–US$6.10/hour | Scheduling, reporting, CMS updates, campaign admin |
| Executive Assistant | US$800–US$1,400 | US$4.60–US$8.10/hour | Inbox, calendar, stakeholder follow-up, executive coordination |
| Finance / Bookkeeping VA | US$800–US$1,400 | US$4.60–US$8.10/hour | AP, AR, reconciliations, finance admin, reporting |
| Technical / Operations VA | US$900–US$1,600+ | US$5.20–US$9.30+/hour | Systems admin, workflows, SOPs, reporting, operations support |
These ranges use a standard 173-hour month. They are planning benchmarks, not fixed salary rules.
The salary-only hourly rate does not include statutory employer costs, 13th-month pay, HMO, allowances, tools, equipment, or the EOR fee.
How to Convert a VA Monthly Salary Into an Hourly Rate
Use this formula:
| Formula |
| Hourly salary = Monthly salary ÷ 173 |
Example:
| Monthly Salary | Calculation | Hourly Salary |
| US$600 | 600 ÷ 173 | US$3.47/hour |
| US$800 | 800 ÷ 173 | US$4.62/hour |
| US$1,000 | 1,000 ÷ 173 | US$5.78/hour |
| US$1,400 | 1,400 ÷ 173 | US$8.09/hour |
This gives you the salary-only hourly rate. It does not include statutory employer costs, 13th-month pay, benefits, or EOR fees.
How to Calculate the All-In EOR Hourly Cost
For a VA hired through an EOR, use this model:
| Formula |
| All-in hourly cost = hourly salary + employer statutory cost allocation + 13th-month accrual + benefits / allowances + EOR hourly equivalent |
For SOS:
| Item | Calculation | Hourly Equivalent |
| SOS EOR fee | US$190 ÷ 173 hours | About US$1.10/hour |
So if a VA earns US$700/month:
| Cost Layer | Example |
| Salary-only hourly rate | US$700 ÷ 173 = US$4.05/hour |
| EOR service hourly equivalent | US$190 ÷ 173 = US$1.10/hour |
| Statutory costs and 13th-month accrual | Calculated separately |
| Optional benefits / allowances | Added if offered |
| All-in cost | Salary + statutory + 13th-month + benefits + EOR fee |
The clean way to budget is to separate the employee’s compensation from the EOR provider fee.
What statutory and employment costs should be included?
When a Filipino VA is hired as an employee, the monthly cost should include more than base salary.
| Cost item | Why it matters |
| Base salary | The employee’s agreed monthly compensation |
| SSS | Social security contribution administration |
| PhilHealth | National health insurance contribution administration |
| Pag-IBIG | Housing fund contribution administration |
| 13th-month pay | Mandatory annual pay for covered employees |
| BIR withholding | Compensation tax withholding where applicable |
| Payslips | Employee-facing payroll transparency |
| Payroll records | Finance and audit trail |
| HMO / benefits | Optional or package-based employee benefit |
| Allowances | Internet, equipment, WFH, night shift, or role-specific support |
| EOR fee | Provider cost for employment, payroll, documentation, and HR administration |
For planning, 13th-month pay can be accrued monthly using this formula:
Monthly 13th-month accrual = monthly basic salary ÷ 12
Example:
| Monthly VA salary | Monthly 13th-month accrual | Annual 13th-month estimate |
| US$600 | US$50 | US$600 |
| US$800 | US$66.67 | US$800 |
| US$1,000 | US$83.33 | US$1,000 |
| US$1,400 | US$116.67 | US$1,400 |
Employers should confirm current SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and BIR rules before finalising a quote. The purpose of this guide is to create a planning model, not replace payroll, tax, or legal advice.
VA Hourly Rates by Role Type
General Admin VA
| Level | Monthly Salary | Approx. Hourly Rate | Best For |
| Entry | US$500–US$650 | US$2.90–US$3.75 | Data entry, research, basic admin |
| Mid-Level | US$650–US$800 | US$3.75–US$4.60 | Inbox, calendar, CRM updates |
| Senior | US$800–US$1,000+ | US$4.60–US$5.80+ | Process ownership, reporting, coordination |
General VAs are best for structured admin work with clear SOPs.
Customer Support VA
| Level | Monthly Salary | Approx. Hourly Rate | Best For |
| Entry | US$550–US$700 | US$3.20–US$4.05 | Email and chat support |
| Mid-Level | US$700–US$850 | US$4.05–US$4.90 | Ticketing, SLA support, customer updates |
| Senior / Lead | US$850–US$1,200+ | US$4.90–US$6.90+ | Escalations, QA, team coordination |
Rates increase for night shift, phone support, SaaS support, technical support, or customer success responsibilities.
Executive Assistant
| Level | Monthly Salary | Approx. Hourly Rate | Best For |
| Junior EA | US$800–US$1,000 | US$4.60–US$5.80 | Calendar and inbox support |
| Mid-Level EA | US$1,000–US$1,400 | US$5.80–US$8.10 | Executive coordination, reporting, stakeholder follow-up |
| Senior EA | US$1,400+ | US$8.10+ | High-trust executive support and project coordination |
Executive assistants usually cost more than general VAs because they handle more sensitive, time-critical, and judgment-based work.
Ecommerce / Amazon / Shopify VA
| Level | Monthly Salary | Approx. Hourly Rate | Best For |
| Entry | US$600–US$750 | US$3.50–US$4.30 | Listings, product uploads, order support |
| Mid-Level | US$750–US$950 | US$4.30–US$5.50 | Shopify, Amazon, returns, inventory support |
| Senior | US$950–US$1,300+ | US$5.50–US$7.50+ | PPC support, reporting, marketplace operations |
Ecommerce VAs with Amazon, Shopify, Klaviyo, Gorgias, inventory, or ads experience usually sit above general admin VA rates.
Finance / Bookkeeping VA
| Level | Monthly Salary | Approx. Hourly Rate | Best For |
| Entry | US$800–US$1,000 | US$4.60–US$5.80 | AP, AR, invoice processing |
| Mid-Level | US$1,000–US$1,400 | US$5.80–US$8.10 | Reconciliation, reports, month-end support |
| Senior | US$1,400–US$2,000+ | US$8.10–US$11.60+ | Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite, ecommerce finance |
Finance VAs cost more when they have strong accounting software experience, jurisdiction-specific knowledge, or reporting responsibility.
Technical / Operations VA
| Level | Monthly Salary | Approx. Hourly Rate | Best For |
| Entry | US$900–US$1,100 | US$5.20–US$6.40 | Tools admin, basic automations |
| Mid-Level | US$1,100–US$1,600 | US$6.40–US$9.30 | CRM, workflows, SOPs, reporting |
| Senior | US$1,600+ | US$9.30+ | Systems ownership, operations coordination |
Technical and operations VAs cost more because they reduce management load and can own systems, workflows, and cross-functional processes.
Philippines VA Rates vs US, UK, and Australia
| Market | Typical VA Hourly Rate | Notes |
| Philippines | US$3–US$10/hour | Common for full-time remote VAs |
| United States | US$20–US$40/hour | Often freelance, agency, or domestic admin support |
| United Kingdom | About US$19–US$38/hour | Varies by experience, VAT, and specialisation |
| Australia | About US$16–US$32/hour | Often higher for specialist or local-market roles |
The Philippines is often significantly cheaper than hiring equivalent VA support in Western markets. But buyers should compare all-in employment cost, not just hourly salary.
Hourly Rate vs Monthly Salary: Which Is Better?
For short, ad hoc work, hourly billing can be fine.
For long-term remote team roles, monthly salary is usually better.
| Model | Best For | Watch-Out |
| Hourly contractor | Short projects, overflow work, uncertain workload | Less predictable cost and weaker retention |
| Monthly employee | Full-time or long-term role | Requires proper payroll, compliance, and benefits planning |
| EOR employee | Long-term role without your own Philippine entity | Salary, statutory costs, and EOR fee must be modelled separately |
If a VA is working full-time, using your systems, reporting to your managers, and handling ongoing responsibilities, an EOR employment model may be safer and cleaner than an informal contractor setup.
Related guide: EOR vs Freelancer Philippines
What Is Included in the SOS EOR Fee?
SOS charges a flat US$190 per employee per month for EOR service in the Philippines. The fee covers the employment and compliance service layer.
| Included in SOS EOR Fee | What It Covers |
| Legal employment support | Employing staff in the Philippines without opening a local entity |
| Payroll processing | Monthly payroll, salary processing support, and payroll records |
| Payslips | Employee payslip preparation and documentation |
| Statutory administration | SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, withholding, and payroll compliance support |
| Employment documentation | Locally compliant employment contracts and employee records |
| 13th-month handling | Accrual and processing support |
| Reporting | Payroll summaries and finance-ready records |
| Account support | Philippines-based EOR coordination |
What Is Not Included in the EOR Fee?
The EOR fee is separate from employee costs.
| Separate Cost | Why It Is Separate |
| VA salary | This is the employee’s compensation |
| Employer statutory contributions | Required employer-side payroll obligations |
| 13th-month pay | Mandatory employee compensation |
| Optional HMO | Depends on selected benefits package |
| Equipment | Depends on role and company policy |
| Internet or work-from-home allowance | Optional unless agreed |
| FX or bank charges | Depends on currency and transfer method |
| Role-specific tools | Software and subscriptions are usually employer costs |
This structure matters because a low VA salary does not automatically mean a low compliant employment cost.
Example All-In VA Cost Scenarios
Example: salary-only rate vs all-in EOR planning rate
Here is a simple planning example for a full-time VA earning US$800 per month.
| Cost item | Calculation | Amount |
| Monthly salary | Fixed salary | US$800 |
| Salary-only hourly rate | US$800 ÷ 173 | US$4.62/hour |
| 13th-month accrual | US$800 ÷ 12 | US$66.67/month |
| SOS EOR fee | Flat monthly fee | US$190/month |
| EOR hourly equivalent | US$190 ÷ 173 | US$1.10/hour |
| Employer statutory costs | Use current SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG tables | Calculated separately |
| Benefits / allowances | HMO, internet, equipment, or WFH support if selected | Added if applicable |
This means the salary-only number is US$4.62/hour, but the EOR planning model should include:
US$800 salary + US$66.67 13th-month accrual + employer statutory costs + benefits/allowances + US$190 EOR fee
For finance teams, this is the more useful comparison than hourly salary alone.
Scenario 1: General Admin VA
| Cost Item | Example |
| Monthly salary | US$600 |
| Salary-only hourly rate | US$3.47/hour |
| SOS EOR fee | US$190/month |
| EOR hourly equivalent | US$1.10/hour |
| Statutory + 13th-month + benefits | Calculated separately |
| Estimated all-in model | Salary + statutory + 13th-month + benefits + US$190 |
Scenario 2: Customer Support VA
| Cost Item | Example |
| Monthly salary | US$800 |
| Salary-only hourly rate | US$4.62/hour |
| SOS EOR fee | US$190/month |
| EOR hourly equivalent | US$1.10/hour |
| Statutory + 13th-month + benefits | Calculated separately |
| Estimated all-in model | Salary + statutory + 13th-month + benefits + US$190 |
Scenario 3: Executive Assistant
| Cost Item | Example |
| Monthly salary | US$1,200 |
| Salary-only hourly rate | US$6.94/hour |
| SOS EOR fee | US$190/month |
| EOR hourly equivalent | US$1.10/hour |
| Statutory + 13th-month + benefits | Calculated separately |
| Estimated all-in model | Salary + statutory + 13th-month + benefits + US$190 |
For a full line-item estimate, see EOR Pricing Philippines.
EOR Fee Benchmark: SOS vs Global EOR Providers
If you are hiring VAs only in the Philippines, compare the EOR provider fee separately from salary and statutory costs.
| Provider | Published / Stated EOR Fee | Best Fit | Pricing Note |
| Smart Outsourcing Solution | US$190 per employee/month | Philippines-focused hiring | Local EOR service for Philippine employees |
| Multiplier | From US$400/month | Multi-country hiring | Global EOR platform |
| Deel | From US$599 per employee/month | Global hiring | Global EOR platform |
| Remote | US$599 per employee/month annually, US$699 monthly | Global hiring | Global EOR platform |
Deel lists Employer of Record pricing from US$599 per employee per month, Remote lists EOR at US$599 per employee/month on annual pricing and US$699 monthly, while Multiplier lists EOR pricing from US$400 per month.
The key question for a VA hire is not only “who has the biggest global platform?” It is:
Which provider gives us compliant Philippine employment, clear payroll handling, accurate statutory administration, and the lowest practical total monthly cost?
For Philippines-only VA hiring, SOS’s fee positioning is straightforward: US$190 per employee per month, separate from salary, statutory employer costs, 13th-month pay, and optional benefits.
VA Hiring Cost Checklist
Before hiring a VA in the Philippines, confirm:
| Question | Why It Matters |
| Is the VA a contractor or employee? | Determines compliance risk and payroll structure |
| Is the role ongoing or project-based? | Ongoing roles may be better suited to EOR employment |
| What is the monthly salary? | Main cost driver |
| What is the implied hourly rate? | Helps compare against other markets |
| Are statutory costs included? | Prevents under-budgeting |
| Is 13th-month pay accrued? | Prevents annual payroll surprises |
| Are benefits included? | HMO, allowances, and equipment affect total cost |
| What is the EOR fee? | Shows the provider’s service cost |
| Are there setup, exit, FX, or hidden fees? | Prevents quote surprises |
| Who handles payroll and payslips? | Confirms operational accountability |
A quote should show salary, statutory costs, benefits, and EOR fees as separate line items.
When Should You Hire a VA Through an EOR?
Use an EOR when the VA is functioning like an employee.
That usually means the VA:
- Works full-time or close to full-time
- Reports to your managers
- Uses your tools, systems, and processes
- Has ongoing responsibilities
- Is part of your core team
- Needs payroll, payslips, benefits, and compliant employment records
- Should receive proper employment documentation and statutory coverage
Use a freelancer or contractor model only when the work is genuinely independent, project-based, and short term.
What Affects VA Hourly Rates in the Philippines?
| Factor | Why It Changes Cost |
| Seniority | Senior VAs cost more but need less supervision |
| English communication | Strong written and verbal communication increases market value |
| Role specialisation | Finance, ecommerce, technical, and EA roles cost more than general admin |
| Shift schedule | Night shift or timezone-aligned work may require higher pay |
| Tool experience | Shopify, Amazon, Xero, QuickBooks, HubSpot, Salesforce, or Zendesk can increase salary |
| Client-facing work | Customer, executive, or stakeholder-facing work requires stronger communication |
| Retention risk | Underpaying strong VAs increases turnover and retraining costs |
The cheapest VA is not always the lowest-cost hire. The better benchmark is the total cost required to attract, retain, and compliantly employ the right person.
Why Smart Outsourcing Solution?
Smart Outsourcing Solution helps companies hire virtual assistants and remote employees in the Philippines without setting up a local entity.
SOS is a strong fit if you want:
- Philippines-focused EOR support
- Transparent flat-fee pricing
- Clear separation between salary, statutory costs, and provider fees
- Local payroll and compliance handling
- Employment contracts, payslips, statutory administration, and 13th-month handling
- Support for long-term VAs, executive assistants, customer support VAs, ecommerce VAs, finance VAs, and technical operations VAs
The SOS EOR service fee is US$190 per employee per month, excluding salary, statutory employer costs, 13th-month pay, optional benefits, equipment, allowances, and pass-through costs.
Source-backed cost references to check before hiring
Before finalising VA hourly rates or EOR quotes, check the latest payroll and benefits rules against official or third-party references.
| Reference area | What to verify |
| DOLE / Bureau of Working Conditions | 13th-month pay calculation and employee coverage |
| SSS | Current contribution schedule and employer/employee shares |
| PhilHealth | Current premium contribution rate and salary basis |
| Pag-IBIG / HDMF | Current employer and employee contribution basis |
| BIR | Compensation withholding and year-end tax documentation |
| Philippines salary benchmarks | Market salary ranges for admin, support, finance, ecommerce, executive, and technical VA roles |
| EOR provider quote | Salary, statutory costs, 13th-month accrual, benefits, allowances, provider fee, and any setup, FX, or exit charges |
A good EOR quote should separate the employee’s salary, statutory employer costs, 13th-month accrual, benefits, allowances, and provider fee. A single bundled number is harder to compare and harder to audit.
FAQs
What is the hourly rate of a virtual assistant in the Philippines?
Virtual assistant hourly rates in the Philippines commonly range from about US$3 to US$10 per hour. General admin VAs are usually at the lower end, while executive assistants, finance VAs, ecommerce VAs, and technical operations VAs usually cost more.
How do I calculate a Filipino VA’s hourly rate from a monthly salary?
Divide the monthly salary by 173 working hours. For example, a US$700 monthly salary is about US$4.05 per hour before statutory costs, benefits, and EOR fees.
How much does an EOR cost in the Philippines?
Smart Outsourcing Solution charges a flat US$190 per employee per month for Philippines EOR service. Salary, employer statutory contributions, 13th-month pay, optional HMO, allowances, and equipment are separate.
What is the hourly equivalent of SOS’s EOR fee?
Using 173 working hours per month, SOS’s US$190 monthly EOR fee is about US$1.10 per hour per employee. This is the EOR service layer only and does not include salary or statutory employer costs.
What are typical EOR fees in the Philippines?
Typical EOR fees vary by provider. Global EOR platforms commonly publish fees from around US$400 to US$599 per employee per month, while SOS charges US$190 per employee per month for Philippines-focused EOR service.
What is included in Philippines EOR pricing?
EOR pricing usually includes legal employment support, payroll processing, employment contracts, payslips, statutory administration, compliance support, reporting, and account coordination. Salary, statutory employer costs, 13th-month pay, benefits, and allowances are usually separate.
Is it cheaper to hire a VA hourly or monthly?
Hourly hiring can work for short projects. Monthly salary is usually better for long-term roles because it gives both the company and the VA more predictable cost, workload, and retention.
Should a full-time Filipino VA be a contractor or employee?
If the VA works full-time, reports to your managers, uses your systems, and performs ongoing core work, an employee or EOR model is usually cleaner than a contractor setup.
Are VA salaries the same as total hiring cost?
No. Salary is only one part of the cost. Total hiring cost may include employer statutory contributions, 13th-month pay, benefits, equipment, allowances, and EOR fees.
Can SOS provide a full VA cost estimate?
Yes. SOS can prepare a line-item estimate showing VA salary, statutory employer costs, 13th-month accrual, optional benefits, and the US$190 monthly EOR fee.
What is the virtual assistant cost in the Philippines?
A Filipino virtual assistant commonly costs around US$3–US$10 per hour on a salary-only basis, depending on role type, seniority, tools, communication level, and schedule. For a full-time employee hired through an EOR, the total cost should also include statutory employer costs, 13th-month pay, benefits or allowances, and the EOR fee.
What is the all-in hourly cost of a VA hired through an EOR?
The all-in hourly cost is the total monthly employment cost divided by 173 working hours. Use this formula: salary + employer statutory costs + 13th-month accrual + benefits/allowances + EOR fee, then divide the result by 173.
What is the difference between VA salary and VA hiring cost?
VA salary is the employee’s compensation. VA hiring cost is the full employer cost, which may include salary, statutory contributions, 13th-month pay, HMO, allowances, equipment, software, payroll administration, and EOR provider fees.
Does 13th-month pay apply to Filipino VAs?
If the VA is employed in the Philippines and is covered by Philippine employment rules, 13th-month pay should be included in the cost model. For planning, divide the monthly basic salary by 12 to estimate the monthly accrual.
What should I ask before comparing VA hourly rates?
Ask whether the quote is salary-only or all-in. Confirm whether it includes statutory employer costs, 13th-month pay, HMO, allowances, equipment, payroll, payslips, HR support, EOR fees, setup fees, FX charges, and offboarding costs.
Get a VA Hourly Rate and EOR Cost Estimate
Send us the VA role, salary target, seniority level, work schedule, and expected start date.
We’ll help estimate:
- Monthly VA salary
- Salary-only hourly rate
- Employer statutory costs
- 13th-month accrual
- Optional benefits and allowances
- SOS EOR fee
- Estimated all-in hourly and monthly cost
Speak with a specialist and get a quote
View EOR Pricing Philippines
