VA Cost Savings Calculator
See exactly how much your business could save by hiring a virtual assistant. Our calculator compares the true cost of a US employee, freelancer, and managed VA service so you can make an informed decision.
Calculate Your Savings
Adjust the inputs below to see a personalized cost comparison
Select the primary role your VA will fill. This sets a baseline US salary.
How many hours per week do you need? Most businesses start with 20-40 hours.
Auto-set based on role. You can adjust to match your local market.
Range: $35,000 -- $85,000
Your Estimated Annual Savings
$0
compared to hiring a US employee (0%)
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost Breakdown
| Cost Component | US Employee | US Freelancer | Managed VA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Total | $0 | $0 | $0 |
How We Calculate VA Cost Savings
Our calculator uses real-world employer cost data to give you an accurate comparison between hiring locally and working with a virtual assistant service. Here is how each cost model breaks down.
US Employee Total Cost (1.35x Salary)
When you hire a full-time US employee, the base salary is only part of the picture. Employers typically spend an additional 30-40% on top of salary for mandatory costs. Our 1.35x multiplier accounts for:
- Payroll taxes -- Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), federal and state unemployment taxes
- Health insurance -- The average employer contribution is $6,584/year for single coverage
- Equipment and software -- Computer, monitors, software licenses, phone ($2,000-$5,000)
- Office space -- Even partial allocations of rent, utilities, and supplies add up
- Paid time off -- Vacation, sick days, and holidays (typically 15-25 days)
- Training and onboarding -- Recruiting costs, training time, and ramp-up period
US Freelancer Cost (1.1x Salary Equivalent)
Freelancers charge higher hourly rates than employees because they cover their own benefits, taxes, and business costs. However, you avoid the overhead of benefits, office space, and equipment. The 1.1x multiplier reflects the premium freelancers charge over equivalent employee rates, offset by zero benefits costs on your end.
Managed VA Service Cost
Managed VA companies provide a fully vetted, trained, and managed virtual assistant for a flat monthly fee. This model includes the VA's compensation, management oversight, quality assurance, replacement guarantees, and technology tools. Our pricing tiers are based on actual market rates from top-rated VA companies:
- Part-time (up to 20 hours/week) -- approximately $800/month, ideal for task-based support
- Full-time (40 hours/week) -- approximately $1,599/month for a dedicated full-time assistant
- Other hour ranges -- prorated between these tiers for accurate estimates
The managed VA model delivers the greatest cost savings because it leverages the cost-of-living difference between the US and markets like the Philippines or Latin America, while maintaining professional management and quality standards.
Based on Your Needs: Top-Rated VA Companies
Ready to start saving? These are our highest-rated managed VA providers, independently reviewed and ranked by our editorial team.
Stellar Staff
Highest-rated VA provider. Full-time dedicated VAs starting at $1,599/mo with a 0.1% acceptance rate, free replacement guarantee, and dedicated success manager.
BELAY
US-based virtual assistants and bookkeepers. Established since 2010 with a strong track record. Starting at $2,100/mo.
20four7VA
Flexible pay-as-you-go VA service. Only pay for hours worked, starting at $8/hr. Great for businesses testing VA support.