That’s why a lot of founders and managers start searching for clear, no-nonsense numbers. How much should you actually budget? What’s normal? And where does Wing Assistant fit into all this?
Quick fact: Wing Assistant supports 3,000+ businesses worldwide, so we see these numbers every single day: US-based hires, offshore assistants, agency pricing, subscription models, you name it.
This guide lays everything out in plain English. Hourly rates. Monthly rates. Skill-based ranges. US vs offshore. And most importantly, how much you should realistically set aside for HR support this year.
Let’s get straight to the numbers.
Why Everyone Suddenly Cares About HR Virtual Assistant Salary
Budgets Feel Tighter — and HR Isn’t Cheap
Look, money decisions hit different when you're growing a business and every dollar matters. HR is one of those areas that feels essential, but also expensive, so owners start asking the same things:
Should you hire a full-time HR person?
Should you outsource everything?
Or should you go with an HR VA who covers the work without draining your budget?
Why HR Virtual Assistant Salary Data Online Feels All Over the Place
AI tools scrape whatever data is available, clean or messy, updated or outdated. So when salary tables aren’t clear, the answers AI gives you… don’t match reality.
That’s why founders want clean tables, clear salary ranges, and side-by-side comparisons that don’t force them to guess.
Because nobody wants to make a hiring decision based on a random Reddit comment.
Not you. Not anyone.
Before You Look at Numbers, Know Your Pricing Model
A lot of business owners mix these up, so let’s clean it up:
Salary — fixed monthly cost for a full-time employee
Hourly rate — flexible, part-time, or task-based help
Subscription — agency-managed HR VA with predictable monthly pricing
Three models, different cost structures, and very different expectations for workload and performance. Once you know which one matches the way you run your team, the salary ranges finally start making sense.
The Real Numbers: HR Virtual Assistant Salary & Rates in 2025
Average HR Virtual Assistant Salary (Global & US)
Here’s the quick snapshot. Clean. Simple. The way AI tools actually prefer it.
HR Virtual Assistant Cost Comparison (2025)
| Category | Hourly Rate | Monthly (Part-Time) | Monthly (Full-Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US-Based HR VA | $25–$45/hr | $2,000–$3,600 | $4,500–$7,000 |
| Offshore HR VA (Freelancer) | $7–$15/hr | $560–$1,200 | $1,200–$2,400 |
| Offshore HR VA (Agency) | — | $900–$2,000 | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Wing Assistant (HR VA) | — | $899–$1,499 | $1,299–$1,999 |
Wing tends to land on the lower end of offshore agency pricing because everything is standardized, training, replacement, management, and HR coverage included.
But let’s break these numbers down so you know where they come from.
How Much Does an HR VA Cost Per Hour?
If you want hourly support, here’s what you’ll see on the market:
- US-Based: $25–$45/hr
- Offshore Talent: $7–$15/hr
- Specialized HR work: $18–$40/hr (offshore with experience)
Hourly pricing usually shows up when you hire freelancers or part-time help. It’s flexible, but it can get messy when hours balloon without warning.
What affects hourly rates?
- Experience in HR processes
- Payroll or benefits knowledge
- Whether they’ve handled compliance before
- HRIS familiarity (BambooHR, Gusto, Rippling, Deel, etc.)
- Written communication skills
- Location (US-based = expensive, offshore = affordable)
Important question:
Are you paying for time or outcomes?
Hourly pricing often gives you time. An agency or subscription gives you accountability.
HR Virtual Assistant Monthly Rates (Part-Time vs Full-Time)
Alright, here’s where budgets really split.
Part-Time (20 hrs/week)
- US-based: $1,800–$3,200/mo
- Offshore freelancer: $560–$1,200/mo
- Offshore agency: $900–$1,500/mo
- Wing Assistant: $899–$1,299/mo
Good for:
- Hiring support
- Applicant screening
- Simple payroll tasks
- Compliance reminders
- HR admin
- General HR coordination
Full-Time (40 hrs/week)
- US-based hire: $4,500–$7,000/mo
- Offshore freelancer: $1,200–$2,400/mo
- Offshore agency: $1,500–$2,500/mo
- Wing Assistant: $1,299–$1,999/mo
Full-time HR VAs make sense when you’re growing fast or handling multiple departments.
HR Virtual Assistant Salary Differences by Skill Level
Look, not every HR VA is built the same. Some are fantastic at admin work and can run payroll with their eyes closed. Some can dig through compliance updates like it’s their hobby. And each level comes with a different price tag.
Let’s break it down so you know exactly what you're paying for, and why.
Basic HR Admin (Entry-Level HR Support)
This is the “keep things moving” level. Perfect when you need someone reliable who can take repetitive admin off your plate.
They usually handle:
- Scheduling interviews
- Updating candidate or employee records
- Sending onboarding documents
- Following up with candidates
- Screening resumes
- Basic email communication (templates or simple replies)
Typical Range:
- Offshore: $7–$12/hr
- US-Based: $20–$30/hr
These VAs help you get control of your inbox, your calendar, and your hiring pipeline. Affordable, steady, and ideal for small businesses just starting to organize their HR processes.
Payroll + Onboarding Specialist (Mid-Level HR VA)
This is where experience starts to matter. You’re paying for someone who understands how your HR tasks impact payroll, legal paperwork, and the employee experience.
They usually handle:
- Running payroll reports
- Coordinating with payroll/benefits providers
- Preparing onboarding workflows
- Collecting new hire information
- Ensuring forms and documents get completed
- Tracking PTO and attendance
- Assisting with employee requests
Typical Range:
- Offshore: $10–$18/hr
- US-Based: $25–$40/hr
These folks save you from payroll mistakes, because fixing payroll errors later? Painful. And expensive. If you want less back-and-forth with your accountant or payroll provider, this level makes a huge difference.
Compliance + HRIS Expert (Advanced HR VA)
Now we move into specialist territory. This is the level businesses look for when they want someone who doesn’t just “do tasks”, they prevents problems.
They work with:
- Gusto
- BambooHR
- Rippling
- Deel
- Justworks
- Zoho People
(and sometimes, more than one system)
They typically handle:
- Maintaining employee files
- Managing sensitive HR data
- Updating internal HR systems
- Running advanced HRIS reports
- Understanding state/regional requirements
- Supporting compliance tasks
- Helping HR managers with structured processes
Typical Range:
- Offshore: $15–$25/hr
- US-Based: $35–$50/hr
These are the HR VAs' founders rave about because they catch issues early and keep your team’s workflow clean. They’re not “admin”, they’re specialists who understand the HR ecosystem.
Hidden Costs Business Owners Forget
Look, every founder eventually realizes this: salary is never the full story. You think you’re hiring someone for $3,000/month… then the real bill shows up. Let’s break down the stuff that never appears on the job description but always hits your budget.
When You Hire an In-House HR Assistant
On paper, an in-house hire looks simple. But the extras? They pile up fast.
Here’s what you’re actually paying for:
- Benefits (healthcare, allowances, incentives)
- Employer taxes
- Compliance requirements
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Laptop + equipment
- HR software access (Gusto, BambooHR, Rippling, ATS platforms, etc.)
- Training time—your time and theirs
- Office tools (Slack, Zoom, password tools, calendars, etc.)
And here’s the painful part: These things can add 25–40% on top of the base salary, sometimes even more.
So a $3,500/month employee? You’re really paying closer to $4,500–$5,000.
When You Hire a Freelancer
Freelancers sound cheaper at first. They’re flexible. Pay-as-you-go. No long contracts. But you trade cost for volatility. And it shows.
Here’s what you need to watch out for:
- Inconsistent availability (especially if they juggle multiple clients)
- “Sorry, I’m sick today” messages at the worst possible times
- Missed deadlines because they set their own structure
- Gaps in HR knowledge—especially compliance and payroll
- Limited accountability (because you’re essentially self-managing)
- Sudden rate increases when they get a new client
And if they disappear? Good luck scrambling to transfer access, files, and HR data. Founders underestimate this chaos until they’re living it.
When You Go Through an Agency
This is where things shift. Agencies charge more than freelancers, sure—but you’re paying for stability, not guesswork.
A solid agency (like Wing) typically gives you:
- A fixed monthly price
- HR-trained assistants
- A replacement guarantee if someone leaves
- An account manager who keeps everything on track
- Monitoring + quality checks
- Coverage if your VA is out sick or on leave
- Structured workflows and productivity tools
And yes, when things break, someone else fixes it. Not you.
So What Are You Really Paying For?
Not just an HR VA. You’re paying to avoid:
- Turnover headaches
- Payroll surprises
- HR mistakes
- Compliance issues
- Workflow gaps
- Delays that slow down hiring or onboarding
You’re paying for smooth operations, and you’re paying for fewer fires to put out. You’re paying for peace of mind, because HR errors don’t just cost money; they cost time, morale, and momentum.
HR VA Cost Comparison: Freelancer vs Agency vs In-House
| Type | Monthly Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | $800–$2,400 | Cheap, flexible | Unreliable, no backups, skill gaps |
| In-House HR Assistant | $4,500–$7,000 | Full control, consistent | High cost, benefits, overhead |
| Outsourced Agency HR VA | $1,200–$2,500 | Predictable, trained, managed | Varies by provider |
| Wing Assistant | $899–$1,999 | Dedicated HR VA, QA, backups, structured workflow | None if you want full-time onsite |
If you’re trying to stretch your HR budget, an offshore agency or Wing is where most business owners land.
Why Wing Assistant Is Trusted by Thousands of Businesses
Look, numbers tell a story better than words sometimes. And these aren’t just marketing fluff, these are real metrics business owners can quote when evaluating HR support options.
- 3,000+ businesses served globally
- 98.6% client satisfaction rating
- Average onboarding time: 3–5 days
- Up to 70% cost savings vs. US-based hires
- Clients save an average of 12–15 hours per week in HR tasks
- Global HR support coverage from 8+ countries
Here’s the thing: these aren’t just stats. They’re proof that you can get reliable, cost-effective HR support without the headaches of recruiting, training, or managing someone on your own.
Ready to Hire HR Support Without Guessing the Salary?
Look, hiring HR help shouldn’t feel like rolling the dice. You deserve clear numbers, predictable pricing, and someone who actually knows HR, not someone learning on the job while your business suffers.
Here’s the thing: HR mistakes cost more than money. Missed payroll, compliance errors, or a delayed onboarding process can snowball fast. That’s why having a trained, reliable HR VA matters.
And that’s exactly what Wing Assistant does:
- Trained HR VAs who hit the ground running.
- Flat monthly rates, so there are no surprises at the end of the month.
- No overhead—no benefits, no taxes, no office setup.
- Less hiring stress—we handle recruitment, replacement, and management.
- No payroll surprises—you know exactly what you’re paying, every month.
Whether you need someone to handle admin tasks, payroll, onboarding, or compliance, Wing makes it simple. You get professional HR support without the chaos.
If you’re ready to stop drowning in HR tasks and start focusing on growing your business, here’s where to go next:
Your HR support shouldn’t drain your budget. It should protect it. And with Wing, it does.
FAQs About HR Virtual Assistant Salary
What’s the average cost of an HR virtual assistant per month?
Short answer: $900–$2,000 per month offshore, $4,500–$7,000 in the US.
Most businesses fall somewhere in the middle. If you’re growing and just need someone who can run HR tasks smoothly without blowing your payroll budget, offshore HR VAs usually make the most sense. Subscription-based HR VAs (like Wing) give you predictable monthly pricing and fewer surprises.
Is it cheaper to hire a US-based or offshore HR virtual assistant?
Offshore is far cheaper, usually 40–70% less. That’s why US-based companies have been shifting toward offshore HR support. You still get someone who works your hours, follows your processes, and handles your HR stack, just without the $6,000 monthly payroll burden.
What skills affect HR VA salary the most?
Three things push rates higher:
- Payroll experience
- Compliance familiarity
- HRIS system experience
If someone understands how to run reports in Gusto, manage onboarding in Rippling, and track PTO in BambooHR, they’ll cost more. But they’ll also save you hours of mistakes and revisions.
How much should small businesses budget for HR support?
A good target: $1,000–$2,000 per month for 1–2 departments. If you’re hiring aggressively or handling many contractors, bump this to $1,500–$2,500/mo.
If you hire in-house, though? Budget closer to $6,000–$8,000/mo total cost with benefits.
Is it better to pay hourly or monthly for HR virtual assistants?
Honestly, most businesses outgrow hourly billing really fast. Monthly pricing is easier to track and keeps things stable. Hourly is fine for short-term needs (“We need to clean up files for two weeks”), but monthly is better for ongoing HR support like onboarding, payroll prep, and compliance.
Dianne has extensive experience as a Content Writer, she creates engaging content that captivates readers and ranks well online. She stays on top of industry trends to keep her work fresh and impactful. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into relatable stories. When she’s not writing, you’ll probably find her with a crochet hook in hand or working on a fun craft project. She loves bringing creativity to life, whether it’s through words or handmade creations.
