Executive Assistant Cost: Philippines vs. U.S. (2026)
A Philippines-based executive assistant through F5 Hiring Solutions costs $400–$575/week all-inclusive ($20,800–$29,900/year), while a U.S.-based EA costs $84,500–$123,500/year after benefits and overhead. That gap represents 65–76% savings with no reduction in working hours or task capacity. F5 handles all HR, payroll, compliance, equipment provisioning, and daily performance monitoring through the F5 MyApp platform — no setup fees, no recruiting fees, and no termination costs apply.
In summary
A Philippines-based executive assistant through F5 Hiring Solutions costs $400–$575/week all-inclusive ($20,800–$29,900/year), while a U.S.-based EA costs $84,500–$123,500/year after benefits and overhead. That gap represents 65–76% savings with no reduction in working hours or task capacity. F5 handles all HR, payroll, compliance, equipment provisioning, and daily performance monitoring through the F5 MyApp platform — no setup fees, no recruiting fees, and no termination costs apply.
How Much Does an Executive Assistant Cost in 2026?
The cost of an executive assistant varies dramatically depending on location. A U.S.-based EA costs $65,000–$95,000/year in base salary before benefits, while a Philippines-based EA through F5 Hiring Solutions costs $400–$575/week all-inclusive — $20,800–$29,900/year with no additional fees.
This article breaks down every cost component for both options so hiring managers can make an informed decision with real numbers, not marketing estimates.
U.S. Executive Assistant Cost Breakdown (2026)
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), the median annual wage for executive assistants and executive secretaries is $72,400. LinkedIn salary data for 2025 shows senior EAs in major metropolitan areas earning $85,000–$95,000.
But base salary is only part of the total cost of employment. U.S. employers spend approximately 1.3x base salary on benefits — health insurance, 401(k) matching, PTO, FICA taxes, workers' compensation, and other mandated costs.
| Cost Component | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $65,000 | $95,000 |
| Benefits (1.3x base) | $19,500 | $28,500 |
| Equipment & Software | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Office Space (if applicable) | $3,000 | $8,000 |
| Recruiting Fees (10–20% salary) | $6,500 | $19,000 |
| Onboarding & Training | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Total First-Year Cost | $97,500 | $157,500 |
Even without office space, a fully remote U.S. EA costs $93,000–$146,500 in the first year when accounting for benefits, equipment, and recruiting.
Philippines Executive Assistant Cost Through F5 (2026)
F5 Hiring Solutions offers full-time executive assistants from the Philippines at $400–$575/week. The rate is all-inclusive — no line items to negotiate, no hidden charges, and no setup fees.
| Cost Component | F5 Rate |
|---|---|
| Weekly Rate | $400–$575 |
| Annual Cost (52 weeks) | $20,800–$29,900 |
| Benefits | Included |
| HR & Payroll | Included |
| Equipment | Included |
| Internet Stipend | Included |
| Productivity Monitoring | Included |
| Replacement Guarantee | Included |
| Recruiting Fee | $0 |
| Total First-Year Cost | $20,800–$29,900 |
The difference is not a rounding error. A company hiring through F5 saves $72,200–$127,600 in the first year compared to a U.S.-based executive assistant. Over three years, that savings compounds to $216,600–$382,800 per role.
To understand what other remote staffing providers leave out of their pricing, read about the hidden costs of hiring remote teams in 2026.
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison: Philippines vs. U.S. EA
| Metric | F5 Philippines EA | U.S.-Based EA |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Salary/Rate | $20,800–$29,900 | $65,000–$95,000 |
| Benefits Cost | Included | $19,500–$28,500 |
| Recruiting Cost | $0 | $6,500–$19,000 |
| Equipment Cost | Included | $2,000–$4,000 |
| First-Year Total | $20,800–$29,900 | $93,000–$146,500 |
| 3-Year Total | $62,400–$89,700 | $279,000–$427,500 |
| Working Hours/Week | 40+ | 40 |
| Time Zone | U.S. hours | U.S. hours |
| English Proficiency | Professional | Native |
| Replacement Cost | $0 | $6,500–$19,000 |
| Contract Minimum | Month-to-month | At-will (with severance risk) |
What Drives the Cost Difference?
The cost gap between a Philippines EA and a U.S. EA stems from three structural factors — not quality differences.
Cost of Living Differential: The Philippines cost of living is approximately 60–70% lower than the U.S. A salary of $20,800–$29,900 provides a strong professional income in the Philippines while representing significant savings for U.S. employers.
Bundled Employment Costs: F5 eliminates the fragmented cost structure of U.S. hiring. Benefits, payroll taxes, equipment, recruiting, and HR administration are bundled into one weekly rate. U.S. employers face 8–12 separate cost categories for each hire.
Zero Recruiting Overhead: U.S. executive assistant recruiting costs $6,500–$19,000 per hire through agencies or internal HR time. F5 sources, screens, and presents candidates as part of the weekly rate. If a candidate doesn't work out, replacement sourcing costs $0.
Does Lower Cost Mean Lower Quality?
The short answer: no — if the provider screens properly.
F5 draws from a pool of 85,500+ pre-vetted candidates. Executive assistant candidates go through multi-stage screening that includes work history verification (3+ years required), English proficiency testing (written and verbal), platform skills assessment, a timed task simulation, and a recorded video introduction.
The Philippines produces over 700,000 college graduates annually, many with business administration and communication degrees. The country's BPO sector — the second largest in the world — has trained a generation of professionals in American business norms, tools, and communication standards.
F5 maintains a 95% retention rate across 250+ client companies. That number reflects the quality of matches, not just cost savings. To learn more about the F5 vetting and matching process, see how the F5 hiring process works.
When a U.S.-Based EA Makes More Sense
A Philippines-based EA is not the right fit for every role. Consider a U.S. hire when the position requires in-person attendance at meetings, events, or office reception. Some roles need a physical presence — greeting visitors, managing on-site logistics, or handling physical mail and packages.
If the role requires access to highly restricted government or defense-related data with citizenship requirements, a domestic hire may be necessary for compliance reasons. Roles that are 80%+ phone-based with strict regulatory requirements for domestic call handling may also favor a local hire.
For the 70–80% of executive assistant tasks that are digital — calendar management, travel booking, correspondence, document management, and stakeholder coordination — a Philippines-based EA through F5 delivers equivalent output at 65–76% lower cost.
How to Get Started with F5
To hire remote executive assistants through F5, submit role requirements online or contact the F5 team directly. The process takes three steps: define the role scope, review 3–5 shortlisted candidates within 7–14 business days, and interview your top picks.
F5 handles onboarding, equipment, payroll, and ongoing HR. The client manages daily priorities and task assignments. There are no long-term contracts, no setup fees, and no recruiting charges.
For companies evaluating whether F5 is the right fit, why companies choose F5 for remote staffing covers the operational model, client results, and service guarantees in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Philippines executive assistant cost per year? $20,800–$29,900/year through F5 Hiring Solutions, all-inclusive. This covers salary, HR, payroll, equipment, internet, and management oversight. There are no additional fees, recruiting costs, or hidden charges beyond the weekly rate.
What is the average U.S. executive assistant salary in 2026? The BLS reports a median EA salary of $72,400/year (2025 data). LinkedIn salary data shows senior EAs in major metros at $85,000–$95,000/year. After benefits at 1.3x base, total cost reaches $84,500–$123,500/year.
What is included in the F5 weekly rate for an executive assistant? The $400–$575/week rate includes full-time salary, HR administration, payroll processing, equipment provisioning, internet stipend, productivity monitoring, attendance tracking, and replacement guarantee. No setup fees or contracts.
Are there hidden costs when hiring a Philippines-based EA? Through F5, no. The weekly rate is fully loaded. Other providers may charge separately for equipment, software licenses, management fees, or currency conversion. F5 bundles everything into one transparent weekly rate.
How does the quality of a Philippines EA compare to a U.S. EA? F5 screens for 3+ years of executive support experience, professional English, and platform proficiency. The Philippines ranks top 3 in Asia for English fluency. Most clients report equivalent task quality to local hires at 65–76% lower cost.
Can a Philippines EA work U.S. business hours? Yes. F5 executive assistants work standard U.S. business hours — Eastern, Central, or Pacific time. The Philippines BPO industry has normalized U.S.-shift schedules, and F5 monitors attendance and hours daily.
What is the cost of recruiting an executive assistant in the U.S.? U.S. EA recruiting typically costs 10–20% of first-year salary — $6,500–$19,000 for a $65,000–$95,000 position. Staffing agencies may charge 15–25% markups. F5 charges zero recruiting fees; sourcing is included in the weekly rate.
Is there a long-term contract required with F5? No. F5 operates month-to-month with no long-term commitments. Clients can scale up, scale down, or end the engagement with standard notice. The 95% retention rate reflects satisfaction, not contractual lock-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Philippines executive assistant cost per year?
$20,800–$29,900/year through F5 Hiring Solutions, all-inclusive. This covers salary, HR, payroll, equipment, internet, and management oversight. There are no additional fees, recruiting costs, or hidden charges beyond the weekly rate.
What is the average U.S. executive assistant salary in 2026?
The BLS reports a median EA salary of $72,400/year (2025 data). LinkedIn salary data shows senior EAs in major metros at $85,000–$95,000/year. After benefits at 1.3x base, total cost reaches $84,500–$123,500/year.
What is included in the F5 weekly rate for an executive assistant?
The $400–$575/week rate includes full-time salary, HR administration, payroll processing, equipment provisioning, internet stipend, productivity monitoring, attendance tracking, and replacement guarantee. No setup fees or contracts.
Are there hidden costs when hiring a Philippines-based EA?
Through F5, no. The weekly rate is fully loaded. Other providers may charge separately for equipment, software licenses, management fees, or currency conversion. F5 bundles everything into one transparent weekly rate.
How does the quality of a Philippines EA compare to a U.S. EA?
F5 screens for 3+ years of executive support experience, professional English, and platform proficiency. The Philippines ranks top 3 in Asia for English fluency. Most clients report equivalent task quality to local hires at 65–76% lower cost.
Can a Philippines EA work U.S. business hours?
Yes. F5 executive assistants work standard U.S. business hours — Eastern, Central, or Pacific time. The Philippines BPO industry has normalized U.S.-shift schedules, and F5 monitors attendance and hours daily.
What is the cost of recruiting an executive assistant in the U.S.?
U.S. EA recruiting typically costs 10–20% of first-year salary — $6,500–$19,000 for a $65,000–$95,000 position. Staffing agencies may charge 15–25% markups. F5 charges zero recruiting fees; sourcing is included in the weekly rate.
Is there a long-term contract required with F5?
No. F5 operates month-to-month with no long-term commitments. Clients can scale up, scale down, or end the engagement with standard notice. The 95% retention rate reflects satisfaction, not contractual lock-in.