The Different Roles Remote Workers Can Fill — and How Much You Can Save
As Canadian businesses look for ways to grow while keeping expenses in check, many are discovering the advantages of hiring remote workers. Whether through virtual assistants or specialized professionals, remote talent offers flexibility, scalability, and major cost savings.
But what exactly can remote workers do for your business? Let’s explore some of the most common roles and how the costs compare to hiring locally in Canada.
1. Sales Support & Lead Generation
Remote workers can handle prospecting, outreach, CRM updates, and appointment scheduling. This allows your in-house sales team to focus on closing deals instead of chasing leads.
2. Administrative Support
From managing calendars and emails to data entry and research, virtual administrative assistants provide day-to-day support without the overhead of an office hire.
3. Marketing & Content Creation
Remote professionals can manage social media, write blog posts, create graphics, and even edit videos. This gives small businesses access to creative talent at a fraction of the cost of a local marketing hire.
4. Customer Service & Client Support
With coverage across multiple time zones, remote workers can answer customer inquiries, provide live chat support, and improve response times — helping businesses deliver better client experiences.
5. Bookkeeping & Finance Support
Many businesses now rely on remote bookkeepers for invoicing, payroll, and expense tracking. Cloud-based tools make this seamless, while also ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Cost Comparison: Local vs. Remote Workers
Hiring a mid-level employee in Canada typically costs:
Sales or Admin Assistant: $45,000–$55,000 CAD per year.
Marketing Specialist: $50,000–$65,000 CAD per year.
Bookkeeper: $48,000–$58,000 CAD per year.
On top of salaries, employers must also pay benefits, payroll taxes, and overhead, which can push the real cost 20–30% higher.
By contrast, a mid-level remote worker (through international hiring) usually costs:
$1,800–$2,800 CAD per month (or $22,000–$34,000 annually).
No benefits, no payroll taxes, and no office overhead.
That means businesses can save $20,000–$30,000+ per employee per year while still accessing skilled professionals.
From sales support to bookkeeping, remote workers can fill almost any role your business needs — at a fraction of the local cost. For Canadian companies, this isn’t just about saving money; it’s about building flexible teams that can scale quickly and keep you competitive in today’s market.