The question of what to charge as a Filipino VA is one of the most searched — and most poorly answered — questions in the industry.
Most rate guides ignore the most important variable: how you find your clients. A VA who finds clients through agency-mediated job boards will almost always end up in the $3–6 range. A VA who finds clients through direct outreach to US small businesses can realistically charge $6–12 for the same work.
Why the Platform You Use Determines Your Rate
On platforms, you are limited by agency margins and intense competition. When you find clients through direct outreach, those forces disappear. The business owner was not actively hiring and has no reference point other than what local admin help would cost them — and at $15–20 per hour locally, $6–8 looks like a significant saving.
Rate Ranges by Service Type (Direct-Hire)
- Inbox and calendar management: $5–10 per hour
- Customer service: $5–10 per hour
- CRM administration: $6–12 per hour
- Social media management: $5–15 per hour
- Appointment setting: $8–15 per hour
- GoHighLevel expertise: $7–15 per hour
- Medical VA: $8–18 per hour
When and How to Raise Your Rate
- After the first 90 days: Frame it in terms of value delivered. A $1–2 increase is reasonable for satisfied clients.
- New skills/scope: Do not add scope without discussing rate.
- New clients: Each new client is an opportunity to charge your current market rate.
The Conversation Most VAs Avoid
After you have understood the client's situation: "My rate for this work is $7 per hour. I typically start with a one-week trial so you can see exactly how I work before any ongoing commitment."
Most clients will say yes or ask a clarifying question. If they push hard on rate before seeing your work, they are often not the right fit.