Cost of executive assistant 2026 depends entirely on what type of help you need. A full-time human EA in a major US city runs $85,000–175,000/year fully loaded. An AI assistant starts at $9/month. Here's the complete breakdown.
Cost of executive assistant 2026: option comparison
| Option | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time US EA (junior) | $5,400–7,000 | $65,000–85,000 + benefits | 40 hrs/week, all tasks |
| Full-time US EA (senior) | $7,500–10,400 | $90,000–125,000 + benefits | 40 hrs/week, strategic support |
| Part-time EA (US, remote) | $2,800–4,800 | $33,600–57,600 | 20 hrs/week, flexible |
| Freelance EA (per hour) | $35–60/hr | Varies | On-demand, project-based |
| Offshore VA (Philippines, India) | $560–2,000 | $6,720–24,000 | 20–40 hrs/week, remote |
| AI assistant (KallyAI Lite) | $9 | $108 | 15 calls/month, emails, research |
| AI assistant (KallyAI Pro) | $49 | $588 | 100 calls/month, full workflow |
| AI assistant (KallyAI Executive) | $199 | $2,388 | 600 calls/month, priority support |
The hidden costs of hiring a human EA
The salary is just the starting point. Factor in the true all-in costs:
- Recruiting: $200–25,000 depending on whether you use a recruiter
- Onboarding: 2–4 weeks at reduced productivity plus $1,000–3,000 in equipment
- Health insurance: $6,000–15,000/year
- Payroll taxes: 7.65–10% of salary
- PTO and 401k match: Additional 5–10% of salary
- Turnover costs: $5,000–15,000 every 2–3 years when they leave
True all-in cost for a full-time US EA: $85,000–175,000/year. That's $7,000–14,500/month.
Get EA-level help without the EA-level cost
KallyAI handles phone calls, scheduling, and research starting at $9/month—a fraction of the cost of a human assistant.
Try KallyAI for $1When each option makes sense
Full-time EA—You need 30+ hours/week of support, tasks require judgment and context, relationship continuity matters, or you need physical presence. Best for C-suite executives with $500K+ compensation.
Part-time EA ($35–60/hour, 10–20 hours/week)—You need flexible admin support but can't justify a full-time hire. Best for small business owners and consultants.
Offshore VA ($7–25/hour)—Good for email management, data entry, and online scheduling. Challenging for US phone calls due to time zones, accent differences, and unfamiliarity with US systems.
AI assistant—Handles phone calls, hold times, scheduling, vendor research, and coordination at a fraction of the cost. Scales instantly. No PTO, no turnover, no training. Doesn't handle strategic thinking, relationship building, or tasks requiring real-time judgment.
Cost per task comparison
| Task | Human EA Cost | Offshore VA Cost | AI Cost (KallyAI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule a doctor's appointment | $15–30 | $3.50–12.50 | ~$0.50–3.30 |
| Get quotes from 5 vendors | $75–150 | $17.50–62.50 | ~$2.50–16.50 |
| Confirm 20 event RSVPs | $150–300 | $35–125 | ~$10–66 |
| Research and book a restaurant | $15–30 | $3.50–12.50 | ~$0.50–3.30 |
| Reschedule 3 appointments | $30–60 | $7–25 | ~$1.50–10 |
For phone-heavy tasks, AI is 10–50x cheaper than a human EA.
The hybrid approach: Best ROI for most professionals
The smartest approach in 2026 isn't choosing one option—it's combining them.
Solopreneurs and freelancers: KallyAI Professional ($49/month) plus a scheduling tool ($12/month). Total: ~$60/month vs. $2,800+/month for a part-time EA.
Small business owners: KallyAI Executive ($199/month) plus a part-time VA (5 hours/week at $35/hr). Total: ~$900/month vs. $5,400+/month for a full-time EA.
Executives with company support: Full-time EA for strategic work plus KallyAI for routine calls. Your EA becomes 2–3x more effective by focusing on high-value work.
Frequently asked questions
Is an AI assistant a replacement for a human EA?
Not entirely. AI excels at structured, repeatable tasks like phone calls, scheduling, and research. A human EA is still better for strategic support, relationship management, and tasks requiring judgment. Most professionals get the best results by using AI for volume and a human for complexity.
How much does a good executive assistant cost in a major city?
In New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, expect $75,000–130,000+ base salary for an experienced EA. With benefits, the fully loaded cost is $100,000–175,000/year. In smaller markets, salaries run 20–30% lower.
Can an offshore VA make phone calls to US businesses?
They can, but quality varies significantly. Accent differences, unfamiliarity with US phone systems, and time zone misalignment make this challenging. For phone-heavy work, AI often outperforms offshore VAs.
What's the cheapest way to get executive assistant help?
KallyAI Lite at $9/month is the lowest-cost option for phone call delegation. For broader support, combining KallyAI ($49/month) with a part-time offshore VA ($500–800/month) gives comprehensive coverage under $1,000/month.
How do I decide between hiring a human and using AI?
List your weekly admin tasks. Categorize them: (1) phone calls and scheduling, (2) email and research, (3) tasks requiring judgment and relationship skills. If most time goes to category 1 and 2, AI handles it at a fraction of the cost. If category 3 dominates, you need a human.
Find the right fit for your budget
The best solution depends on your task mix, budget, and how much admin work involves phone calls. Try KallyAI for $1 with 100 credits—money-back guarantee.
Try KallyAI for $1