Cost of executive assistant 2026depends 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. KallyAI offers a $1 trial with 100 credits, then Starter is $19/mo for 200 credits. Here's the complete breakdown.
Quick Answer
A full-time human Executive Assistant usually costs $85,000-$175,000 per year fully loaded in a major US market. KallyAI starts with a $1 trial for 100 credits, then $19/mo for Starter, and covers calls, email follow-ups, research, scheduling, and admin when you need execution without hiring a full-time EA.
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 Starter) | $19 | $228 | 200 credits/month for calls, email, research, and scheduling |
| AI assistant (KallyAI Pro) | $49 | $588 | 600 credits/month, full workflow |
| AI assistant (KallyAI Business) | $299 | $2,388 | 4,500 credits/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
KallyAIhandles phone calls, scheduling, and research with a $1 trial and Starter at $19/mo—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 Pro ($49/month) plus a scheduling tool ($12/month). Total: ~$60/month vs. $2,800+/month for a part-time EA.
Small business owners: KallyAI Business ($299/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 is the lowest-friction way to test executive assistant help for phone calls, scheduling, and research: the trial is $1 for 100 credits, and Starter is $19/mo for 200 credits. For broader support, combine KallyAI with a part-time offshore VA.
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