A full-time virtual assistant in the Philippines usually costs $365 to $2,400 a month depending on the role and experience. Beginner marketing VAs start around $400 a month, and expert Facebook marketing specialists reach $2,400 (OnlineJobs.ph, April 2026). Budget for hiring fees, tools and your own management time on top.
The headline salary is only part of what a VA costs you. Here are the real salary ranges by role, the fees to hire, and the costs that don’t show up on the invoice.
Monthly salaries by role
| Role (full-time, monthly) | Beginner | Intermediate | Expert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook marketing | $400 to $1,000 | $1,000 to $1,280 | $1,200 to $2,400 |
| Marketing (general) | $400 to $640 | $750 to $1,000 | $900 to $1,900 |
| Social media marketing | $500 to $650 | $640 to $750 | $700 to $1,200 |
| SEO | $365 to $774 | $750 to $1,100 | $1,035 to $1,265 |
| Graphic design | $400 to $600 | $650 to $800 | $1,000 to $1,200 |
Source: OnlineJobs.ph salary guide, updated April 2026, based on its own database. US dollars per month.
The spread is wide because “VA” covers everyone from a beginner scheduling posts to an experienced specialist running campaigns. Pay for the level of responsibility you actually need.
What it costs to hire
- Job boards: OnlineJobs.ph charges employers a subscription (Pro was $69 a month and Premium $99 a month when we checked) and says it adds no markup to the VA’s salary.
- Freelance marketplaces: you pay the freelancer’s rate plus the platform’s client fees.
- Staffing agencies: one higher hourly rate that includes recruiting, payroll and replacement if it doesn’t work out.
The costs people forget
- Your time. Training, writing processes, checking work and answering questions. In the first month this is often several hours a week.
- Tools and seats. Extra logins for your CRM, design tools or scheduling apps.
- Payment fees to send money abroad each month.
- Mistakes while they learn. On paid ads, a wrong setting spends real money.
- Turnover. If they leave, you pay to hire and train again.
Comparing a VA with done-for-you marketing?
I build and run Facebook ads, funnels and GoHighLevel follow-up for you, so there is nobody to train or manage. Free 30-minute call to see if it fits.
Book a free callCheap VA vs expert: what you are paying for
A beginner will follow clear instructions. An expert can make decisions, spot problems and improve results without being told. For admin work, a beginner is often all you need. For anything that spends money or brings in customers, like ads and funnels, experience is worth paying for.
At the top of the range, an expert Facebook marketing VA can cost as much as a done-for-you specialist. My service is $1,777 a month and includes media buying, funnel and landing page builds, GoHighLevel automation, follow-up and reporting, with the strategy included. See how much Facebook ads management costs to compare.
How to keep costs under control
- Start part-time with a clear task list, then increase hours.
- Use a paid test task before committing.
- Record your processes once so training isn’t repeated.
- Keep every account in your name so nothing is lost if they leave.
For the full hiring guide, read hire a digital marketing virtual assistant in the Philippines.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a virtual assistant in the Philippines cost per month?
OnlineJobs.ph’s April 2026 guide shows full-time salaries from about $365 a month for a beginner SEO VA up to about $2,400 for an expert Facebook marketing specialist.
How much is a Filipino social media VA?
About $500 to $650 a month for a beginner, $640 to $750 intermediate and $700 to $1,200 for an expert, according to OnlineJobs.ph.
Are there fees to hire a VA from the Philippines?
Yes. Job boards such as OnlineJobs.ph charge a subscription, freelance marketplaces charge platform fees, and staffing agencies build their margin into the hourly rate.
What hidden costs come with hiring a VA?
Your training and management time, tool seats, international payment fees, mistakes while they learn, and the cost of rehiring if they leave.
Related guides
- Hire a digital marketing virtual assistant in the Philippines: what to know first
- Marketing virtual assistant vs marketing agency: which is right for you?
- How much does Facebook ads management cost in 2026?
- Hiring a Facebook ads virtual assistant in the Philippines: what to know
Pierce Tagle is a Facebook ads expert and AI automation specialist. He builds the ads, funnels and GoHighLevel follow-up systems that turn clicks into booked calls for businesses in the US and UK. More about Pierce