Rate anxiety keeps Filipino VAs underpriced for years. These are working market ranges as of 2026 — use them as floors, not ceilings.
Hourly rate ranges by level
- Entry (0-1 year): PHP 250-400 / USD 4-7
- Established (1-3 years, one niche): PHP 400-700 / USD 7-12
- Specialist (3+ years or technical niche): PHP 700-1,400 / USD 12-25
- Premium (bookkeeping close, ads management, systems): USD 20-35+
Monthly full-time equivalents
Full-time dedicated roles usually price at a modest discount to hourly: entry PHP 25,000-40,000; established PHP 40,000-70,000; specialists PHP 70,000-120,000+. US and AU clients on direct contracts pay at the top of each band; agencies take a margin but bring pipeline.
How to answer "what's your rate?"
Give a confident range anchored above your floor: "For this scope I work at 6 to 8 dollars per hour depending on volume — happy to start with a paid trial week so you can judge the fit." Never answer with "whatever your budget is": it signals inexperience and invites the lowest number.
Raising rates without losing clients
- Raise with proof: after a measurable win or added responsibility, not a calendar date alone
- New clients first: quote new work at the higher rate, migrate legacy clients within two cycles
- Repackage: move from hourly to a monthly scope retainer when your speed improves — hourly punishes efficiency
FAQ
Should I charge in USD or PHP? Quote foreign clients in USD; it anchors to their market and protects you from peso swings.
Are rate calculators reliable? They are starting points. Vertuelo's PH rate references plus these bands beat any single calculator.