Hire in the Philippines / executive assistant
Hire an executive assistant in the Philippines
An executive assistant runs one leader's calendar, inbox, meeting prep, and follow-through. With Rekruuto, a full-time executive assistant in the Philippines is $1,800 a month and works your hours. A U.S. hire at the BLS median costs about $9,510 a month with employer costs. Start in 14 days, with a 1-week trial.
What does an executive assistant in the Philippines cost compared with a U.S. hire?
The U.S. figure is the national median wage for executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants (SOC 43-6011), multiplied by what private employers spend on benefits and payroll taxes for every $1 of pay in office and administrative support occupations. Our figure is the flat monthly price you pay us.
| U.S. hire at the median | Rekruuto, full-time | |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary per year | $76,590 | Included in the monthly price |
| Employer cost multiplier | × 1.49 | None on your side |
| Per month | $9,510 | $1,800 |
| Per year | $114,119 | $21,600 |
| Difference per year | $92,519 ($7,710 a month) | |
The comparison covers compensation only. It leaves out recruiting fees, equipment, software, and the management time any new hire needs. U.S. pay also varies a lot by city and seniority.
What is the local market in the Philippines?
PSA does not publish executive assistants separately. General office clerks are the closest published occupation, and an experienced EA usually earns above it. The Philippine Statistics Authority's 2024 Occupational Wages Survey puts the average monthly wage rate for general office clerks (national benchmark occupation) at ₱19,721 (about $344). The Metro Manila minimum wage is ₱755 a day from September 26, 2026, about $286 a month. These are survey averages and a legal floor, not what a skilled full-time executive assistant on U.S. hours is paid. We do not publish what each hire earns. You pay one monthly price, and we handle paying your team member.
- U.S. hire, fully loaded$114,119$9,510 a month
- Full-time Rekruuto hire$21,600$1,800 a month
- Difference per year$92,519$7,710 a month
How many working hours overlap with an executive assistant in Manila?
All of them, because our hires work in your time zone. The Philippines is on UTC+8 and does not change its clocks, so a U.S. 9-to-5 lands in the Manila evening or night. The table shows where your day falls for them.
| Your time zone | Manila time, U.S. daylight saving (March–November) | Manila time, U.S. standard time |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. | 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. |
| Central (CT) | 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. | 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. |
| Mountain (MT) | 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. | 12 a.m. – 8 a.m. |
| Pacific (PT) | 12 a.m. – 8 a.m. | 1 a.m. – 9 a.m. |
For an executive assistant, keep these for the hours you are both online:
- The morning calendar review with you
- Rescheduling when a meeting moves at short notice
- Joining calls to take notes and assign follow-ups
These can run from a written queue, so they do not need you on a call:
- Inbox zero against your rules, with a short list of what only you can answer
- Meeting briefs prepared the night before
- Travel booking and expense reports
- Chasing the follow-ups from yesterday's meetings
What skills should you screen an executive assistant for?
Each skill comes with a short test you can run in the interview or a paid trial task.
| Skill | How to test it |
|---|---|
| Judgment about what reaches you | Show a sample inbox of 20 emails. Ask which three you must see today and what they would do with the rest. |
| Calendar control across time zones | Ask them to schedule a meeting with three people in London, New York, and Los Angeles, and explain the slot they picked. |
| Discretion | Ask how they would handle a confidential board email that lands in a shared folder by mistake. |
| Writing in your voice | Give three emails you wrote and ask for a fourth reply in the same tone. |
| Meeting notes that lead to action | Play a 10-minute recorded meeting and ask for notes with owners and dates. |
Which Rekruuto client had a similar seat?
ImpactParents, a coaching organization for parents, needed dependable support for communication, back-end operations, and follow-ups during heavy periods. We placed a dedicated assistant with account management. The closest published story to an executive assistant seat is this one.
Working with Rekruuto has been an amazing experience. Glenny is always ahead of things — proactive, responsive, and consistent. The regular check‑ins from the Rekruuto team show that you genuinely care about how we’re doing. And sometimes when I get very busy, I really appreciate that she stays on top of everything. It’s been great working with her.
How does hiring an executive assistant through Rekruuto work?
- Tell us your needs. Share your requirements, and we'll match you with pre-vetted professionals who fit your unique needs.
- Meet your matches. We'll introduce you to carefully selected candidates. Interview and choose the perfect fit for your team.
- Start your trial. Work with your new team member for a week. Love them, or we'll find a replacement or refund your money.
- Onboard and embed. Seamlessly integrate your new hire into your team and watch your business grow.
Hiring and onboarding take 14 days. The first week is a trial: if you are not satisfied, we find a replacement or refund your money.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an executive assistant and a virtual assistant?
An executive assistant supports one leader and makes judgment calls about that person's time. A virtual assistant usually handles tasks for a team. The executive assistant seat needs more discretion and stronger writing.
Can an executive assistant in the Philippines manage my calendar in U.S. time?
Yes. They work your hours, so calendar changes happen while you are working. Use one shared calendar and a written rule for which meetings they can accept on your behalf.
How do I give an offshore executive assistant access to my email safely?
Use delegated access rather than your password, share other logins through a password manager, and turn on two-factor authentication. Our professionals sign NDAs.
What does an executive assistant cost in the Philippines through Rekruuto?
$1,800 a month for a full-time hire. You pay one monthly invoice, and we handle paying your team member.
How much does a U.S. executive assistant cost compared with Rekruuto?
The BLS median for executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants is $76,590 a year (May 2025). With employer costs (× 1.49, BLS June 2026) that is about $114,119 a year, or $9,510 a month. A full-time Rekruuto hire is $1,800 a month.
What time is it in the Philippines when a U.S. workday starts?
The Philippines is on UTC+8 all year. 9 a.m. Eastern is 9 p.m. in Manila during U.S. daylight saving time and 10 p.m. in winter. Your executive assistant works your hours, so the full workday overlaps.
Related pages
- Executive assistant role page
- Every role we place in the Philippines
- Executive and admin assistant guides
- Hire a virtual assistant in the Philippines
- Hire a project coordinator in the Philippines
- Hire a legal assistant in the Philippines
- Offshore Hiring Costs 2026 report
- Philippines vs Latin America for offshoring
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national estimates, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, June 2026 (USDL-26-1494), Table 5, June 2026, released September 9, 2026.
- Philippine Statistics Authority, 2024 Occupational Wages Survey, August 2024, released November 2025.
- National Wages and Productivity Commission (Philippines), NCR daily minimum wage rates, Wage Order No. NCR-28, Effective September 26, 2026.
- World Bank, Official exchange rate, local currency per US$, period average (PA.NUS.FCRF), 2024 and 2025 annual averages. Peso figures converted at the 2024 and 2025 averages.