Virtual Assistant Cost: Factors, Plans & Pricing Insights
Wanting to know common virtual assistant rates?
In general, virtual assistant rates vary between $3 per hour up to $20+ per hour.
My name is Connor Gillivan. I’m an entrepreneur and I’ve been hiring virtual assistants for the past 10 years. I’ve hired 100s of VAs for scaling my companies to 6, 7, and 8 figures with an exit in 2019.
When I first started hiring VAs, I too wondered:
How much does a virtual assistant cost?
What virtual assistant rates should I expect to pay?
In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about virtual assistants and the rates associated with them.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- The Rise of Virtual Assistants
- What Services Do Virtual Assistants Offer?
- Average Cost of Virtual Assistants
- Virtual Assistant Package Examples
- Factors Influencing Virtual Assistant Pricing
- What to Consider When Comparing Virtual Assistant Packages
- How to Negotiate Virtual Assistant Rates
- Maximizing Your Virtual Assistant Partnership
- Is Hiring a Virtual Assistant Worth It?
The Rise of Virtual Assistants
The demand for virtual assistants has grown rapidly in recent years.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the number of virtual assistants in the United States alone has increased by an average of 10% every year since 2016.
The growth rate is expected to continue over the next decade, with virtual assistants becoming increasingly more sought-after and in-demand.
The rise of virtual assistants is due to the increasing need for businesses to streamline their operations and reduce costs.
Virtual assistants can provide a range of services, from customer service and data entry to more complex tasks such as scheduling and project management.
They can also be used to automate mundane tasks, freeing up time for employees to focus on more important tasks.
The 2020 pandemic also caused more business owners to look for remote talent, instead of only being focused on talent that could work in a local office.
Needless to say, virtual assistants are on the rise and it’s important to learn how to incorporate them into your business.
What Services Do Virtual Assistants Offer?
The range of services that are offered by virtual assistants is vast and varied, but certainly not limited.
They can be hired for:
- administrative support
- customer service
- technical support
- project management
- marketing
- sales support
- data entry
- online research
- content management
They can also provide creative services, such as:
- web design
- logo design
- video editing
- animation
- graphic design.
Finally, virtual assistants can also handle:
- virtual event planning
- social media management
- virtual bookkeeping
- virtual receptionist services
- scheduling appointments
- managing calendars
- creating reports.
With the right virtual assistant, businesses can save time and money while still getting the help they need.
Average Cost of Virtual Assistants
Factors like their location and specialization impact exactly how much your VA will charge you (more on these later).
Note, too, that the VA industry is booming, with a projected value of $19.27 billion by 2032, a 22.3% growth from 2023. This means the demand for VAs worldwide is increasing, which consequently causes an uptick in VA rates.
The reason is simple: the higher the demand, the higher the rates.
Let’s break down how much you’re expected to spend when you hire a VA:
Virtual Assistant Cost per Hour
On average, virtual assistants charge anywhere from $10 to $20 per hour, according to freelance marketplaces like Upwork.
Hourly arrangements work best for VAs that cover routine tasks daily (like administrative services) rather than output-focused projects (such as software development). For the latter, a per-project or per-milestone arrangement is typically more appropriate.
Keep in mind, too, that hiring through an agency can be more expensive than getting an independent contractor on board.
Philippine Virtual Assistant Cost
Filipino virtual assistants charge an average of $7 per hour. On a monthly basis, rates range from $400 to $1,200, depending on their type of services, expertise, and experience.
You may also find VAs that charge as low as $3 per hour (usually by entry-level VAs or very basic services) or as high as $20 per hour.
Be mindful of offering extremely low rates, though. That’s one of the most common outsourcing mistakes that can turn off potential candidates.
Hint: Offering $3 per hour or lower is considered lowballing and is frowned upon in the freelance marketplace.
Virtual Assistant From India Cost
Similar to VAs from the Philippines, VAs from India charge an average of $7 per hour. However, the pendulum can swing from $1.2 (101 INR) to $10, depending on the type of services you require.
Again–beware of lowballing, though. Always match the complexity of the services you need with the rates you’re going to offer.
Also, considering that the average VA from the US costs $26.80 per hour, hiring from India is a more cost-effective option. If you need work covered round-the-clock, the difference in time zone can also help cover the hours you’re not online.
Not sure where to start? Download our free hiring packet to access our case study, VA calculator, outsourcing tips, and more.
Virtual Assistant Package Examples
Another option you can consider is hiring through virtual assistant packages. These are a set of deliverables that you expect your VA to fulfill within a set timeline.
This applies to per-project arrangements where you’re looking to hire an independent contractor for their expertise instead of on an hourly basis. It also helps ensure you’re hiring for the right virtual assistant skills.
For example:
Content Strategy Package: $499 per month
- SEO strategy
- Outline creation
- Up to 5 long-form articles (Topics provided by you)
Email Marketing Package: $500 per month
- Email marketing strategy
- Up to 2 email marketing campaigns
- Branded templates
- Analytics and reporting
Factors Influencing Virtual Assistant Pricing
The rate a virtual assistant charges for their services will depend on a variety of factors:
- experience level
- skill set
- the complexity of the services being provided
- the amount of time required to complete the task
- the geographical location of the client
Virtual assistants with more experience and specialized skills will tend to charge higher rates than those who are just starting out.
In addition, the type of services being provided can also affect the rate.
For example, virtual assistants who provide administrative services such as data entry, scheduling, and customer service may charge lower rates than those who provide more specialized services such as web design, graphic design, or software development.
Furthermore, virtual assistants who are able to provide services on a short-term or project basis may also be able to negotiate lower rates than those who are hired for long-term contracts.
What to Consider When Comparing Virtual Assistant Packages
When deciding between VA packages, examine things like:
- Budget: Does their rate match your budget? Is it fair to both parties?
- Service coverage: Which package covers all the tasks you need?
It also helps to consider factors outside the packages themselves, such as:
- Demonstrated skills: What does their track record look like? Ask for previous work that will help you gauge their skill level and expertise.
- Schedule: Do you need the deliverables ASAP? In that case, the rates are expected to go higher.
- Focus: How many clients are they handling at the moment? Juggling multiple clients means they may not be able to provide dedicated support.
- Language and culture fit: From your interview, try to determine culture fit and language fluency to avoid miscommunications in the future. Follow these video interviewing tips to identify top candidates remotely.
How to Negotiate Virtual Assistant Rates
When negotiating rates with a virtual assistant, it’s important to be upfront about your budget and expectations.
Be sure to ask questions about the services they provide and what types of tasks they are comfortable with completing.
If there are certain tasks you require that they are not comfortable with, ask if they can recommend someone who may be able to help.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate on price as most virtual assistants are willing to work with you on their price. Just make sure to be respectful and not negotiate too low to where it offends the virtual assistant.
Also, consider the virtual assistant’s experience and qualifications when negotiating a rate.
Ask for references and look for reviews online to ensure that the virtual assistant is reliable and trustworthy.
Additionally, make sure to discuss payment terms and any additional fees that may be associated with the services. This will help you to avoid any surprises down the line.
Maximizing Your Virtual Assistant Partnership
If you find the right VA, you could be working together for years and scaling your business faster than you could on your own.
But as they say, it takes two to tango. To make the most of your partnership, you need to know how to nurture it. Here are some tips:
- Cultivate a good working relationship: It pays to treat people with respect. This translates to practical things like paying them on time, making good on promises like raises and perks, and being fair on the amount of workload you delegate.
- Give timely feedback: Even the best VA has the potential for improvement. Providing feedback is an investment in their growth, which will also help them work more effectively.
- Compensate fairly: Check industry standards to ensure you’re paying them a fair rate for the services they provide. Also, discuss payment arrangements and other fees early on to avoid issues popping up later.
- Trust their expertise: Try to avoid micro-managing them or you’ll defeat the purpose of hiring a VA. (This is also why it’s so important to hire top VAs.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you have any more questions? These FAQs might help:
Are There Additional Costs Beyond the Hourly Rate of a Virtual Assistant?
These are potential additional costs when hiring a VA such as:
- Client fees on freelance marketplaces
- Training
- Benefits
- Tools
Are There Hidden Costs of Hiring a Virtual Assistant?
Expenses outside the hourly or project rate may be considered hidden costs since they aren’t usually factored in when considering hiring a VA.
For example, it costs time and resources to train and onboard new staff. If you use tools that require a premium subscription, you may also need to shoulder the cost of those.
How Do I Calculate the Total Cost of a Virtual Assistant for My Business?
You can use our free VA calculator to know how much hiring a VA costs.
This is a handy tool for planning your budget, determining your outsource team size, and projecting expenses as you scale your business.
What Is Outsource School?
Outsource School is a hiring system that has helped 1,000+ students hire 2,000+ virtual assistants and freelancers.
Outsource School teaches you how to interview, onboard, train, and manage virtual assistants for your business.
You also gain access to Outsource School’s private community, Monthly Coaching Calls, and on-demand support from Outsource School’s founders.
If you need some more advice regarding VA rates, here’s a video which could give you a simple rundown of How Virtual Assistants Rate Themselves:
Conclusion: Is Hiring a Virtual Assistant Worth It?
Hiring a virtual assistant can be a great way to increase productivity and reduce costs associated with additional office staff or third-party vendors.
However, it’s important to find the right person for the job as this will ensure that you get the best results possible.
With the right person in place and an understanding of best practices when working with a virtual assistant, hiring a virtual assistant can be well worth it.
When considering hiring a virtual assistant, it is important to consider the cost of the service, the skillset of the virtual assistant, and the amount of time and effort that will be required to manage the relationship.