Last Updated: 2026-01-23
Offshore Staffing Costs 2026
Complete pricing guide with hourly rates by role, region, and experience level. Based on data from 121 staffing companies across 9 regions.
How Much Does Offshore Staffing Cost?
Offshore staffing costs $4-100/hour depending on role, region, and experience level. Most companies save 50-70% compared to US/UK hiring costs.
Offshore Staffing Costs by Region
Rates vary significantly by region based on cost of living, talent supply, and market maturity.
Philippines
- Best for: Customer service, VAs
- English: Excellent (92.6%)
- Time zone: UTC+8
India
- Best for: Software development
- English: Good
- Time zone: UTC+5:30
LATAM
- Best for: US collaboration
- English: Moderate-Good
- Time zone: 0-3 hrs from US
Eastern Europe
- Best for: Complex engineering
- English: Good-Excellent
- Time zone: UTC+1 to +2
Africa
- Best for: UK/Europe support
- Languages: EN, FR, AR
- Time zone: 0-2 hrs from UK
Detailed Rates by Role & Region
Software Developer Rates
| Experience Level | Philippines | India | LATAM | Eastern Europe | Africa | US (comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior (0-2 yrs) | $12-18/hr | $12-20/hr | $18-30/hr | $25-40/hr | $8-18/hr | $50-80/hr |
| Mid-Level (3-5 yrs) | $18-28/hr | $20-40/hr | $28-45/hr | $35-55/hr | $15-30/hr | $80-120/hr |
| Senior (6+ yrs) | $25-35/hr | $40-65/hr | $40-65/hr | $50-80/hr | $25-45/hr | $120-180/hr |
| Tech Lead/Architect | $30-45/hr | $50-90/hr | $55-80/hr | $65-110/hr | $35-55/hr | $150-250/hr |
Customer Service & Support Rates
| Role | Philippines | India | LATAM | Eastern Europe | Africa | US (comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Rep | $8-12/hr | $6-10/hr | $10-18/hr | $12-20/hr | $4-10/hr | $15-25/hr |
| Technical Support | $10-15/hr | $8-14/hr | $12-22/hr | $15-25/hr | $6-12/hr | $20-35/hr |
| Team Lead | $12-20/hr | $10-18/hr | $18-28/hr | $20-32/hr | $10-18/hr | $25-45/hr |
Virtual Assistant & Admin Rates
| Role | Philippines | India | LATAM | Eastern Europe | Africa | US (comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Assistant | $6-15/hr | $5-12/hr | $10-20/hr | $12-22/hr | $5-12/hr | $18-35/hr |
| Executive Assistant | $10-20/hr | $8-16/hr | $15-28/hr | $18-30/hr | $8-18/hr | $25-50/hr |
| Data Entry | $5-10/hr | $4-8/hr | $8-15/hr | $10-18/hr | $3-8/hr | $12-22/hr |
| Bookkeeper | $10-20/hr | $8-18/hr | $15-28/hr | $18-32/hr | $8-18/hr | $25-50/hr |
Creative & Marketing Rates
| Role | Philippines | India | LATAM | Eastern Europe | Africa | US (comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $8-18/hr | $8-20/hr | $15-30/hr | $18-35/hr | $6-15/hr | $30-75/hr |
| Digital Marketing | $10-22/hr | $10-25/hr | $18-35/hr | $20-40/hr | $8-18/hr | $35-85/hr |
| Content Writer | $8-18/hr | $6-15/hr | $12-25/hr | $15-30/hr | $5-15/hr | $25-60/hr |
| Video Editor | $8-20/hr | $8-22/hr | $15-32/hr | $18-38/hr | $6-18/hr | $30-80/hr |
What's Included in Offshore Staffing Rates?
Understanding what's included in quoted rates is crucial for accurate cost comparison.
Typically Included
- Base employee salary
- Employer taxes & contributions
- Health insurance
- Paid time off (varies by country)
- HR & payroll management
- Basic equipment (computer, headset)
- Office space (if applicable)
- Staffing company margin (20-40%)
Sometimes Included
- Software licenses
- Training & onboarding
- Performance management
- IT support
- Recruitment/sourcing fees
- Background checks
- Internet/utilities
Usually Extra
- Specialized software
- Premium equipment
- Dedicated office space
- 24/7 or night shift premium
- Rush hiring fees
- Contract termination fees
- Replacement guarantees
Typical Cost Breakdown
For a $20/hour offshore rate, here's roughly where the money goes:
How Much Can You Save?
Compare the annual cost of hiring in the US vs offshore for common roles.
| Role | US Annual Cost | Philippines | India | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer (Mid) | $180,000 | $45,000 | $55,000 | $125,000-135,000 |
| Customer Service Rep | $52,000 | $19,000 | $15,000 | $33,000-37,000 |
| Virtual Assistant | $55,000 | $20,000 | $17,000 | $35,000-38,000 |
| Graphic Designer | $85,000 | $28,000 | $30,000 | $55,000-57,000 |
| Accountant/Bookkeeper | $75,000 | $30,000 | $25,000 | $45,000-50,000 |
US costs include salary, benefits, taxes, and overhead (1.4x base salary). Offshore costs are full-time dedicated staff through a staffing provider.
Offshore Staffing Pricing FAQ
How much does offshore staffing cost?
Offshore staffing costs range from $4-100/hour depending on role, region, and experience:
- Customer service: $4-15/hour
- Virtual assistants: $5-18/hour
- Software developers: $12-80/hour
- Technical specialists: $40-100/hour
The Philippines and India offer the best value for most roles, while Eastern Europe commands premium rates for complex technical work. Expect 50-70% savings compared to US/UK equivalents.
What is the cheapest country for offshore staffing?
Africa (Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya) offers the lowest rates at $4-30/hour depending on role. India follows at $12-80/hour for technical roles. The Philippines offers $8-35/hour with excellent English proficiency.
For the best value considering quality and communication, the Philippines and India typically offer the optimal balance of cost and capability.
How much do offshore developers cost?
Offshore developer rates by region:
- India: $12-80/hour (junior to architect)
- Philippines: $15-35/hour
- Eastern Europe: $25-100/hour
- LATAM: $20-70/hour
- Africa: $8-45/hour
Senior developers typically cost $40-80/hour in most regions. Specialized skills (AI/ML, cloud architecture, blockchain) command 20-40% premium.
What is included in offshore staffing rates?
Offshore staffing rates typically include:
- Base salary
- Employer taxes and contributions
- Benefits (health insurance, paid leave)
- Equipment and workspace
- HR and payroll management
- Staffing company's margin (typically 20-40%)
Some providers charge separately for equipment, training, or management overhead. Always clarify what's included before signing.
How much can I save with offshore staffing?
Typical savings by region compared to US rates:
- Philippines: 60-70% savings
- India: 60-75% savings
- LATAM: 30-50% savings
- Eastern Europe: 40-60% savings
- Africa: 60-80% savings
A US developer costing $150,000/year fully loaded might cost $40,000-60,000/year offshore in the Philippines or India, representing $90,000-110,000 in annual savings per employee.
What is the average salary for offshore staff?
Average monthly salaries (what the employee receives, not client cost):
- Philippines - Customer service: $400-800/month, Developer: $1,000-2,500/month
- India - Developer: $800-3,000/month
- Eastern Europe - Developer: $2,000-5,000/month
These are base salaries; client costs are 1.5-2x higher after benefits, taxes, and staffing margins.
Methodology & Data Sources
This pricing guide is compiled from:
- Staffing company rate cards: Direct pricing from 121 verified staffing providers
- Industry surveys: Clutch, G2, and industry association reports
- Job board data: Posted salaries from regional job platforms
- Client feedback: Actual rates paid by companies using offshore staffing
Rates are updated quarterly. Last update: 2026-01-23
Note: Rates vary based on specific skills, company size, engagement length, and market conditions. Use these figures as benchmarks, not guarantees.