What should you pay an Executive Assistant?

Across the 100 roles in this calculator, mid-level South African base pay runs from $7.25 to $25.50 per hour, or $1,260 to $4,420 per month. Across every experience level the range is $4.75 to $40 per hour. At mid level that is 50% to 67% less than the US figure for the same role. Admin and support roles sit at the lower end, while tech, finance and leadership roles sit at the higher end.

A lower cost of living in South Africa means a salary that is highly competitive locally costs a fraction of the US equivalent in dollars. You are paying a strong local wage, not underpaying, which is why retention among South African remote workers is high.

South Africa sits between the two. At mid level, South African pay is 1.7x to 2.3x the Philippines figure for the same role. Against Latin America it is lower for 87 of 100 roles, the same for 7 and higher for 6. For roles where spoken English and client-facing communication matter, South Africa usually delivers the best value per dollar of the three.

No. These figures are direct-hire base pay: the salary paid to the person, with no agency markup, fees or commission added. They do not include benefits, equipment, payment platform fees or any employer-of-record costs your setup may involve. US figures are typical domestic US base salaries, shown as hourly and monthly equivalents.

A South African virtual assistant earns $6 per hour at junior level, $9 at mid level and $13 at senior level. That is $1,040, $1,560 and $2,250 per month. An executive assistant earns $8 to $17 per hour from junior to senior level.

Most US companies pay South African hires through international payment platforms such as Wise, Deel or Payoneer, or by direct bank transfer. Salaries are usually agreed and paid in US dollars.