How much does a virtual assistant cost in 2026?

A managed virtual assistant service typically runs $2,200 to $3,000 per month per team member — all in. That single monthly investment covers recruiting, employment, benefits, tools, training, and ongoing management, with no payroll taxes, HMO, or HR overhead for you to carry. Solo marketplace VAs can be cheaper, but the total cost is usually higher once you factor in what you have to do yourself.

This guide breaks down the real cost of a virtual assistant in 2026 — what determines the price, what’s actually included at each tier, and where the “cheap” options quietly turn into expensive ones.

What determines the cost of a virtual assistant?

Four things move the price:

• The role. An executive assistant with calendar and inbox ownership costs less than a specialized bookkeeper, marketing coordinator, or IT support role.
• The scope. Part-time, project-based, and dedicated full-time each price differently. Most Aereach engagements are dedicated and full-time.
• The model. Solo marketplace freelancer vs. U.S.-priced service vs. managed Philippines-based service. Each layer of management and benefit changes the number.
• The location. Talent based in the Philippines is typically 40-60% less expensive than U.S.-based professionals for the same skill level.

What’s included in a managed virtual assistant service?

At Aereach, the monthly fee is all-inclusive. You pay one number and everything is covered:

• Recruiting and vetting — behavioral assessments (Kolbe, Working Genius), skill screens, background checks.
• Employment and payroll in the Philippines — you don’t become an international employer.
• All required Philippine taxes and benefits.
• Health coverage (HMO) and paid time off for your team member.
• Tools and AI enablement — training on modern productivity and AI stack.
• Structured onboarding.
• Ongoing success management — 30/60/90-day check-ins, HR support, replacement if needed.

You’re not renting hours. You’re getting a supported, managed professional — with a company standing behind them.

How does that compare to other options?

Three common ways to hire a virtual assistant — and what each one really costs.

Option 1: Cheap VA marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr) · $5-$20/hour

You’re on your own for hiring, onboarding, HR, tools, and turnover. Cheaper on paper — but the hidden costs (bad hires, ghosting, re-training, and the hours you spend managing) usually make it more expensive than a managed service. This model works if you have real hiring expertise and time.

Option 2: U.S.-based managed services (BELAY, Athena) · $2,500-$6,000/month

Excellent services with strong management, but priced for one dedicated U.S.-based seat. Great for the first hire — but expanding to a full team gets expensive fast. Most founders who need to grow a multi-role team eventually hit the cost ceiling.

Option 3: Managed Philippines-based service (Aereach) · $2,200-$3,000/month

Elite Philippines professionals at a price that makes adding the next role affordable. Fully managed — recruiting, HR, benefits, replacement — so you get the leverage of a team without becoming an employer. Priced to scale role by role.

The hidden costs of a “cheap” virtual assistant

Solo freelance VAs at $8-$15/hour look like the winning number. Then reality sets in:

• The wrong hire. The average founder tries 2-3 marketplace VAs before finding one who fits. Each miss costs weeks of your time.
• The management tax. Managing a freelancer yourself — writing job descriptions, interviewing, onboarding, correcting — costs the exact hours you were trying to buy back.
• The compliance risk. Employing someone overseas directly opens up data-breach exposure, cross-border enforcement risk, and IP protection issues that most founders don’t know they have.
• The turnover. Marketplace freelancers churn constantly. Every ghost or resignation restarts the clock.

None of those show up on the invoice — but they eat the exact time-and-money savings that made the cheap option look attractive.

When does the fee start?

With Aereach, your monthly fee begins only when your team member starts — not while we recruit. There’s a $500 onboarding fee to launch the engagement, refundable after 60 days if the team member doesn’t work out and you don’t want us to place a replacement. Discovery, matching, and interviews are on us.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay while you’re searching?

No. Your monthly fee begins only when your team member starts. Discovery, matching, and interviews are on us.

What if it doesn’t work out?

If a placement isn’t the right fit, we work with you to fix it. If needed, we provide a replacement at no additional placement fee. To end an engagement, we require 30 days’ notice.

Is there a long-term contract?

No. Engagements are flexible. We’d rather earn your business every month than lock you into a contract you regret.

How does this compare to hiring an employee locally?

A local U.S. employee costs the base salary plus payroll taxes, benefits, HR, tools, and office overhead. That single monthly investment for Aereach covers everything — no hidden costs.

Learn more about our virtual assistant services →