Filipino Virtual Assistant Salary Guide 2026: How Much Do VAs Really Earn?

What Filipino VAs Actually Earn in 2026

The short answer: a Filipino virtual assistant in 2026 typically earns anywhere from PHP 18,000 to PHP 120,000 per month, depending on experience, specialization, employer type, and timezone. In USD terms that's roughly $320 to $2,200 per month. The wide spread isn't random — it reflects specific, well-understood factors that we'll unpack in this guide so that whether you're a VA pricing your services or an employer benchmarking rates, you can anchor expectations to reality.

The numbers below are aggregates from public job-board listings on WorkFil,OnlineJobs.ph, VirtualStaff.ph, Upwork, and rate-card reports shared by Filipino VA communities. Where exact figures aren't available we use ranges. Nothing here is guaranteed — use the data as a negotiation anchor, not as a promise.

Filipino VA Salary by Experience Level

Experience has the single largest impact on what a Filipino VA can charge. The bands below are for general VA work (admin, inbox, scheduling). Specialized niches sit higher, which we break down further below.

Experience	Hourly (USD)	Monthly (USD, full-time)	Monthly (PHP, approx.)
Entry (0–1 yr)	$3 – $5	$450 – $800	PHP 25,000 – 45,000
Junior (1–2 yrs)	$5 – $7	$750 – $1,100	PHP 42,000 – 62,000
Mid (2–4 yrs)	$7 – $10	$1,100 – $1,600	PHP 62,000 – 90,000
Senior (5+ yrs)	$10 – $16	$1,600 – $2,500	PHP 90,000 – 140,000
Specialist / EA	$12 – $25	$1,900 – $4,000	PHP 108,000 – 225,000

These PHP conversions assume roughly PHP 56 – 58 per USD. Exchange rates fluctuate; most Filipino VAs paid in USD benefit directly when the peso weakens, which has been the dominant trend for several years.

Filipino VA Salary by Specialization

Specialization is the most reliable path to earning above the median. Generalists compete on price; specialists compete on outcomes. Ranges below are for full-time equivalent monthly compensation.

Role	USD / month	PHP / month (approx.)
General VA	$500 – $1,100	PHP 28,000 – 62,000
Customer Support (chat/email)	$500 – $1,200	PHP 28,000 – 68,000
Cold Caller / Appointment Setter (+ commission)	$600 – $1,500	PHP 34,000 – 84,000
Social Media Manager	$600 – $1,400	PHP 34,000 – 78,000
Content Writer / Copywriter	$800 – $2,000	PHP 45,000 – 112,000
Graphic Designer	$800 – $1,800	PHP 45,000 – 100,000
Bookkeeper (QuickBooks / Xero)	$900 – $1,800	PHP 50,000 – 100,000
Real Estate VA	$900 – $1,800	PHP 50,000 – 100,000
Shopify / Amazon VA	$900 – $2,000	PHP 50,000 – 112,000
Executive Assistant	$1,200 – $2,500	PHP 68,000 – 140,000
Operations Manager / Chief of Staff	$1,800 – $4,000	PHP 100,000 – 225,000

Role-level depth matters. See our bookkeeper hiring guide, executive assistant guide, and cold caller guide for role-specific salary drivers.

Factors That Actually Raise Your Rate

Tenure alone is a weak predictor of pay. The following levers matter more and are within your control.

Specialization in a niche

A VA who positions themselves as a "Shopify operations specialist" earns materially more than a generalist VA, even at the same tenure. Niche positioning narrows the comparison set and shifts the conversation from hourly rate to business outcomes.

Timezone availability

US business hours (night shift in the Philippines) command a 15–25% premium. Weekend coverage can add another 10%. Most Filipino VAs serving US SMBs charge the night-shift premium by default.

Tool mastery

Deep fluency with a specific tool stack (HubSpot, Klaviyo, QuickBooks, Notion, Asana, Airtable, Zapier) lets you charge $2–$4/hr more than a VA who is "familiar" with the same tools. Certifications help signal this.

Direct client work vs platform agencies

Filipino VAs working through BPO or staffing agencies typically take home 40–60% of what the client pays. Direct contracting via free platforms like WorkFil removes that cut. That is structurally the biggest rate uplift available.

How to Negotiate in USD (Without Underselling Yourself)

The single most common mistake Filipino VAs make is anchoring their rate to local PHP cost of living rather than the US market rate for the work. Employers hire offshore precisely because their alternative is a $30–$50/hr US contractor. Pricing yourself at $3/hr because "that's still good PHP money" leaves 60–80% of your potential rate on the table.

A structured approach:

Research the US market rate for your role on Glassdoor, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter. Note the hourly rate.
Anchor your offshore rate at roughly 25–40% of that US hourly number. A US bookkeeper at $35/hr corresponds to a strong Filipino bookkeeper at $9–$14/hr, not $4–$5.
Present your rate with specifics: "My rate for bookkeeping clean-up work is $12/hr, based on 4 years with QuickBooks Online and month-end close experience across 14 clients."
Negotiate the package, not just the number. Paid time off, annual raises of 5–15%, and 13th-month bonus are common with well-run international employers.

Filipino VA Salary vs Local 9-5 Salary

One way to see the opportunity clearly: compare a mid-level remote VA to a mid-level Philippine local job.

Role	Local PH salary	Remote (intl. client) salary
Admin Officer (Manila)	PHP 18,000 – 25,000	PHP 42,000 – 70,000 (as remote VA)
Customer Service (local BPO)	PHP 22,000 – 32,000	PHP 35,000 – 70,000 (direct intl. client)
Bookkeeper (local SME)	PHP 22,000 – 35,000	PHP 55,000 – 100,000 (intl. client)
Executive Assistant (local corp.)	PHP 30,000 – 50,000	PHP 80,000 – 140,000 (intl. founder)

The remote premium typically sits between 1.8x and 3x local pay for the same role. That gap is the core reason the Philippine remote workforce has grown every year for the past decade.

When to Raise Your Rate (and How)

A fair schedule: review rates annually, and request a raise at milestones — six months with a new client, one year, or on taking on a significantly expanded scope. Come prepared with: (1) what you've built or owned, (2) measurable outcomes (hours saved, tickets closed, revenue contributed), (3) a proposed new rate with a specific start date.

Typical annual raises for strong performers are 5–15%. Jumping clients (rather than negotiating within one) can deliver 20–40% at once, but carries continuity risk.

Apply for Roles That Match Your Rate

If you've underpriced yourself for years, the fastest correction is a fresh application round to new employers at your target rate. Create or refresh your WorkFil profile, quote your USD rate upfront, and let the market filter — you'll find that serious employers are often willing to pay closer to your true market value than your current client.

Create your free WorkFil profile, browse live employer listings on the homepage, and read how to become a VA in 2026 if you're starting from scratch.

FAQ: Filipino VA Salary 2026

Is PHP 50,000 per month a good VA salary?

For an entry-level VA it's strong. For a mid-level VA with 2–3 years experience, it's roughly market rate. For a specialist or senior VA it is below market — target PHP 70,000 – 100,000+.

Can Filipino VAs really earn PHP 100,000 per month?

Yes. Specialist roles (executive assistant, bookkeeper, technical VA), direct international contracting, and 4+ years of tenure combine to push monthly pay above PHP 100,000 regularly. It is not typical for entry-level VAs — but it is absolutely attainable within 3–5 years of focused work.

What's the highest-paying VA niche in 2026?

Executive assistant to a US founder, operations manager for a funded startup, and senior bookkeeper for multi-entity clients are the three niches that most consistently clear $2,000+/month.

How much should I charge as a beginner VA?

Start at $4–$5/hr if you have some transferable skills (admin, writing, customer service). Raise your rate 10–20% every 6 months if you're performing well.