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Filipino remote professionals cost $5.85–$24/hr through FilAm depending on role and experience level. A full-time executive assistant runs $936–$1,280/mo. A senior software developer runs $1,920–$3,200/mo. Rates are all-inclusive - no placement fees, no hidden agency markup.
The Short Answer: Filipino Remote Professional Rates in 2026
Here are FilAm's 2026 benchmarks, reflecting the top 17% of Filipino remote professionals who pass our vetting process. Expect to pay more if hiring directly off job boards, less if you're using unvetted platforms where quality is unguaranteed.
| Role | Entry-Level | Mid-Level | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Assistant | $5.85–$6/hr ($936–$960/mo) | $6–$8/hr ($960–$1,280/mo) | $8–$12/hr ($1,280–$1,920/mo) |
| Bookkeeper | $6–$8/hr ($960–$1,280/mo) | $8–$10/hr ($1,280–$1,600/mo) | $10–$14/hr ($1,600–$2,240/mo) |
| Social Media Manager | $5.85–$7/hr ($936–$1,120/mo) | $7–$10/hr ($1,120–$1,600/mo) | $10–$14/hr ($1,600–$2,240/mo) |
| Software Developer | $10–$14/hr ($1,600–$2,240/mo) | $14–$17/hr ($2,240–$2,720/mo) | $17–$20/hr ($2,720–$3,200/mo) |
| Project Manager | $8–$12/hr ($1,280–$1,920/mo) | $12–$15/hr ($1,920–$2,400/mo) | $15–$18/hr ($2,400–$2,880/mo) |
| Content Writer / SEO | $5.85–$6/hr | $6–$9/hr | $9–$13/hr |
| Customer Support Lead | $5.85–$7/hr | $7–$9/hr | $9–$12/hr |
| Graphic Designer | $6–$8/hr | $8–$11/hr | $11–$15/hr |
What Drives the Price Difference?
Four factors move a Filipino professional's rate up or down:
- Experience level. A two-year virtual assistant and a senior operations manager with seven years of US client work are both Filipino professionals - their rates reflect that gap the same way a US resume would.
- Skill specialization. US GAAP-trained bookkeeping commands a premium over general admin. A developer who ships production-grade React is priced differently from one who builds basic WordPress sites.
- English proficiency tier. FilAm's assessment scores candidates on written and spoken English. The top tier - native-near fluency - earns a premium because the communication overhead for US founders is near-zero.
- Management scope. Individual contributors are priced lower than professionals who manage workflows, brief contractors, or run recurring reporting cycles.
One important callout: the floor is similar across unvetted and vetted platforms. The ceiling is where the difference shows. At $3–$4/hr, you'll find an available person. At $6–$14/hr through FilAm's top-17% filter, you'll find a specialist who treats your outcomes like their own.
Filipino VA vs. US Hire - The Actual Math
The salary on the offer letter is not what a US hire costs. Add employer payroll taxes (7.65%), health insurance (~$600/mo employer share), paid time off, recruiting fees (12% of salary), and equipment - and the true cost is 35–50% higher than the base number.
| Role | US Fully Loaded Annual | FilAm Annual | Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Assistant | ~$74,000 | ~$14,400 | $59,600 |
| Bookkeeper | ~$82,000 | ~$20,800 | $61,200 |
| Software Developer | ~$145,000 | ~$42,000 | $103,000 |
US figures include base salary (metro median) plus employer taxes, health insurance, recruiting fee at 12% of base, and $3,000 equipment amortized. FilAm figures are all-in with no add-ons.
A founder who converts one executive assistant and one bookkeeper role to FilAm professionals saves $120,800 per year. That's a junior US hire, a year of paid advertising, or 18 months of SaaS tooling - redeployed to growth instead of overhead.
What's Included in FilAm's Rate?
When you pay FilAm's listed rate, here's exactly what that covers:
- The professional's salary. 80%+ of every dollar passes through directly to the specialist. FilAm's platform margin is transparent and disclosed upfront.
- Fit scoring and vetting. The full four-stage assessment - skills test, live work simulation, English evaluation, communication assessment - is built into the platform, not charged separately.
- 48-hour matching guarantee. From role submission to Fit-scored shortlist, you receive three to five pre-vetted candidates in 48 hours.
- Compliance and payment processing. FilAm handles peso conversion, contractor agreements, and Philippine labor compliance. You pay in USD. No foreign payroll complexity.
- Ongoing performance monitoring. FilAm's KPI framework tracks your specialist's output against defined targets. No additional HR overhead required on your end.
There is no placement fee. There is no annual renewal charge. What you see is what you pay.
How FilAm Determines What Filipino Professionals Earn
FilAm's rates are anchored to two benchmarks: Philippine professional salary market rates and the international client premium that vetted, English-proficient professionals command for US-based work.
The 17% acceptance rate matters here. Most Filipino professionals who apply are qualified people. The 83% who don't pass aren't failures - they're not the right match for the communication standards, ownership behaviors, and skill depth that US founders need. The professionals who do pass command a premium over unvetted platforms because they've demonstrated, under test conditions, that they can operate autonomously.
FilAm's Fit Score evaluates English proficiency, technical skills, reliability history, and a live work simulation - the same rigor as US hiring processes, applied to every Filipino candidate. The rate reflects that standard, not the raw Philippine labor market floor.
Common Questions About Filipino VA Pricing
Is $500/month fair to a Filipino professional?
$500/month (~₱28,000) is above the Philippine minimum wage but below what skilled professionals command in 2026. FilAm professionals earn $600–$3,500/mo depending on role - competitive with Metro Manila professional salaries and sustainable for long-term retention. Paying below-market rates produces high turnover. The best Filipino professionals have options, and they choose clients who treat compensation seriously.
Do I need to pay for benefits?
No. FilAm handles compliance with Philippine labor regulations, which govern contractor relationships differently than US employment law. You're not required to provide Philippine equivalent benefits. FilAm's rate structure is the complete picture - no mandatory benefit add-ons on the US side.
What happens if the match isn't right?
FilAm offers a replacement guarantee within 30 days. If the match doesn't work in the first month, FilAm re-sources at no additional charge. This policy eliminates the primary financial risk of any remote hire - the sunk cost of a bad match.
How to Get Your First FilAm Professional
The process takes three steps and averages 48 hours from role submission to shortlist.
- Post your role. Define the outcome you need - not a list of tasks, but the result you're hiring for. FilAm's intake form prompts you to specify KPIs and communication expectations, which filters the shortlist automatically.
- Review your Fit-scored shortlist. Within 48 hours, you receive three to five candidates ranked by Fit Score - a composite of their skills assessment, work simulation, and English proficiency evaluation. Each card includes verified credentials and a recorded async introduction.
- Interview and start Monday. Two 30-minute interviews is typical. Most founders hire their first choice. Onboarding materials are ready by day one.
See current role availability at FilAm open roles or review pricing by role tier.
Ready to find your match?
FilAm matches you with vetted Filipino professionals in 48 hours. From $5.85/hr.
