How Much Does a VA
Really Cost in 2026?

The True Cost of a US-Based Virtual Assistant

A typical virtual assistant in the United States earns between $40,000 and $55,000 per year in base salary. But that number is just the starting point. When you factor in payroll taxes, health insurance, paid time off, equipment, software subscriptions, and onboarding costs, the real annual cost reaches $65,000 to $75,000.

Hidden costs most companies forget:

– Payroll taxes (employer share): ~7.65% of salary
– Health insurance contribution: $5,000–$8,000/year
– Paid time off (10–15 days): ~4–6% of salary
– Equipment and software: $1,500–$3,000/year
– Recruiting and onboarding: $3,000–$6,000 one-time

Freelance Platforms: Cheaper, But With Trade-offs

Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr offer VAs at $10 to $25 per hour. For a 40-hour week, that's $20,800 to $52,000 per year. The catch? Freelancers are not dedicated to your business — they work for multiple clients, have no guaranteed availability, and can disappear without notice. No HR support, no replacement guarantee, no employer of record protection.

What looks cheaper upfront often costs more when you factor in turnover, retraining, and lost productivity.

The Best Option: LATAM Talent Through a Managed Service

With Remote Experts, a dedicated full-time bilingual professional from Latin America costs $25,200 per year — all inclusive. Recruitment, vetting, payroll, contracts, compliance, and timesheet reporting are all handled.

Annual cost comparison:

– US in-house hire: $65,000–$75,000/year
– Upwork freelancer: $20,000–$52,000/year (no guarantees)
– Remote Experts (LATAM): $25,200/year (dedicated, fully managed)

Why Remote Experts Is the Recommended Option

Clients save an average of $20,000 to $49,800 per year per role compared to local hiring. Compared to freelance platforms, they get reliability, legal protection, free replacements, and a professional who actually stays.