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How Much Do Personal Assistants Charge in 2024? A Clear Pricing Guide

  • Writer: DM Monticello
    DM Monticello
  • Jul 30
  • 7 min read

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What Does a Personal Assistant Do?

A personal assistant (PA) helps individuals manage their day-to-day tasks, acting as a trusted right hand. From scheduling appointments to organizing travel, PAs play a key role in keeping their employer’s life running smoothly.

Depending on the setup, personal assistants may work in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid model. In 2024, businesses and busy individuals alike increasingly rely on virtual personal assistants to save time and money.


In-Person vs. Virtual Personal Assistants

  • In-Person PAs: Typically manage errands, personal shopping, in-home tasks, and on-site scheduling.

  • Virtual PAs: Focus on digital tasks such as calendar management, travel booking, inbox management, and customer communication.

Learn more about how virtual support can transform your workflow in What If You Had a Virtual Assistant?


Common Tasks and Responsibilities

Personal assistants handle a wide range of duties:

  • Calendar and schedule coordination

  • Email and phone call screening

  • Booking travel and appointments

  • Shopping and order fulfillment

  • Event planning

  • Personal errands and to-do lists

  • Household staff coordination

Their roles vary depending on whether the PA serves an executive, entrepreneur, or busy household.


Types of Employers Who Hire Personal Assistants

  • CEOs and executives

  • Entrepreneurs and startup founders

  • Families and individuals with complex schedules

  • Public figures and high-net-worth individuals

  • Real estate professionals, doctors, and lawyers


Personal Assistant Rates by Type of Work

The amount a personal assistant charges often depends on the nature of their work. Here’s a breakdown by task category:


Administrative and Office Support

  • Basic admin tasks: data entry, scheduling, transcription

  • Typical hourly rate: $15–$35/hour (U.S.)

  • Offshore or virtual rate: $6–$20/hour

These roles are often fulfilled by virtual assistants using tools like Google Workspace and Trello.


Executive and High-Level Support

  • Complex tasks like investor relations, travel logistics, confidential data handling

  • U.S. rate: $30–$75/hour

  • Philippines/Latin America: $10–$30/hour

See how executive support scales with How to Hire Virtual Assistants


Errand Running and Lifestyle Management

  • Local errands, reservations, appointment setting, gift buying

  • In-person hourly rate: $25–$60/hour, depending on region and urgency

  • Often charged as a daily or hourly service


Specialized Tasks (Medical, Real Estate, Event Planning)

  • Includes PA services in healthcare, real estate showings, or managing events

  • Rates can range from $35 to $100/hour or more depending on niche

Explore how specialty support differs in Interview Questions for Personal Assistants


Hourly, Daily, and Monthly Rate Ranges

Hourly Rates (U.S. and International)

  • U.S. Personal Assistants: $20–$50/hour average

  • UK & Western Europe: £15–£40/hour

  • Philippines or LATAM (virtual): $6–$20/hour

  • India and South Asia: $5–$15/hour

Virtual assistants working offshore often charge less while offering professional service and English fluency. Learn how businesses optimize costs in Demystifying Virtual Assistant Pay Rates


Day Rates for Full-Time Support

Full-day rates (8 hours of in-person support):

  • $200–$500/day U.S. metro areas

  • $80–$150/day offshore virtual assistants

Full-time executive assistants often negotiate weekly or monthly retainers instead.


Monthly Salaries or Retainers for Long-Term Roles

Many personal assistants work under monthly contracts:

  • Entry-level PA: $2,000–$3,500/month (U.S.)

  • Senior executive PA: $4,000–$7,000/month

  • Offshore full-time VA: $800–$2,000/month

See how flexible pricing models support growing teams at Hire a Virtual Assistant


Factors That Affect Personal Assistant Charges

Location and Cost of Living

Geography plays a major role in rates. Urban cities like New York, San Francisco, or London command higher prices. Offshore assistants in countries like the Philippines or Mexico offer skilled services at a lower cost due to local wage standards.

Explore remote hiring in Where to Hire a Personal Assistant


Years of Experience and Credentials

A certified executive assistant or someone with a business background will naturally charge more. Some even hold project management or operations certifications.


Full-Time vs. Part-Time vs. On-Demand

  • Part-time: Lower rates but less availability

  • On-demand: Higher hourly rate due to urgency

  • Full-time: Better value if ongoing support is needed


In-Person vs. Remote Flexibility

  • In-person assistants may charge for travel time or mileage

  • Virtual assistants can often support multiple clients and offer more flexible pricing

Learn how remote support can boost results in How to Maximize My Team’s Productivity


Average Cost to Hire a Personal Assistant by Region

To better plan your budget, here’s a breakdown of personal assistant rates in key markets around the world:


United States (Metro vs. Rural)

  • Metro Areas (NYC, LA, SF): $30–$60/hour

  • Suburban or Rural Areas: $20–$35/hour

  • Executive PAs in major cities may charge $75+/hour or work on annual salaries ranging from $55,000 to $95,000

These rates reflect the higher cost of living and demand for high-touch support.


Philippines and Offshore Markets

  • Hourly Rates: $6–$15/hour

  • Monthly Retainer: $800–$2,000/month

  • Highly skilled in English and experienced in tools like Slack, Trello, and Zoom

Virtual assistants in the Philippines are often full-time and trained in Western business practices. Learn more in Hiring Virtual Assistants in the Philippines


Latin America and Europe

  • LATAM VAs: $8–$18/hour with strong time zone overlap with U.S. clients

  • Eastern Europe: $10–$20/hour, often multilingual

  • Western Europe: €25–€50/hour for in-person roles

These regions offer quality talent for administrative and marketing-focused personal assistants.


How to Decide What to Pay Your Personal Assistant

There’s no universal rate—but there is a right fit based on your needs, expectations, and goals. Here's how to determine it:


Budgeting for Your Lifestyle or Business

Ask yourself:

  • How many hours of help do I need each week?

  • Do I want task support or proactive decision-making?

  • Do I need in-person presence or will remote support work?

Use this to decide between part-time, full-time, or task-based hiring.

For cost-saving insights, see Should I Hire a Virtual Assistant?


Hiring Directly vs. Through a Service

  • Direct hiring (via job boards, referrals): More control, lower cost, but requires vetting

  • Agency or platform hiring: Comes with vetting, replacement options, and contracts—but often at a higher rate

If you’re short on time or want reliable support from day one, consider OpsArmy for pre-vetted, cost-efficient solutions.


Evaluating ROI and Value for Money

Think of your personal assistant as an investment:

  • If they save you 10 hours/week at $30/hour, you save $1,200/month in time value

  • If they generate client follow-ups, free your calendar, or manage your household—your productivity increases

Use tools like Asana, Notion, or weekly scorecards to track performance and value.


The Career Growth and Earning Potential of Personal Assistants

For many professionals, becoming a personal assistant isn’t just a side hustle—it can be a long-term, lucrative career path. Understanding the evolution of roles and pay levels helps both assistants and employers make smart decisions.


Entry-Level to Executive-Level Growth

  1. Entry-Level Personal Assistant (0–1 year)

    • Tasks: Scheduling, personal errands, inbox monitoring

    • Pay: $15–$25/hour (U.S.); $6–$10/hour (offshore)

  2. Skilled Personal Assistant (1–3 years)

    • Tasks: Multi-calendar management, travel planning, expense tracking

    • Pay: $25–$40/hour (U.S.); $10–$15/hour (offshore)

  3. Executive or Lifestyle Assistant (3–6 years)

    • Tasks: Overseeing home staff, coordinating VIP travel, handling NDAs

    • Pay: $40–$75/hour or $60,000–$90,000/year

    • Common among entrepreneurs, executives, and high-net-worth individuals

  4. Chief of Staff or Team Manager (7+ years)

    • Tasks: Overseeing teams of VAs, budget oversight, hiring/firing authority

    • Pay: $80,000–$150,000/year depending on region and scope

For tips on managing growing teams, visit Tips for Effective Team Management


Why Career Progression Impacts Rates

As personal assistants gain specialized skills in tech tools (e.g., Notion, QuickBooks, CRM systems) or industries (real estate, healthcare, SaaS), their value rises. Employers should be prepared to pay more for better results—and PAs should invest in upskilling to increase their rates.


Where to Find Personal Assistants at the Right Rate

Hiring the right PA starts with knowing where to look. Each path comes with pros and cons:


Hiring Platforms, Referrals, and Agencies

  • Referrals: Great for trusted, proven talent

  • Freelance Platforms (e.g., Upwork, Fiverr): Fast access, but quality varies

  • Staffing Agencies: Streamlined hiring, but with markups

Agencies like OpsArmy pre-screen candidates to ensure you're matched with the right skills and pricing for your situation.

Explore How to Build a Team for structured hiring strategies.


Pros and Cons of Freelancers vs. Staff

Type

Pros

Cons

Freelancer

Flexible, pay-as-you-go

May lack availability or consistency

Staff PA

Dedicated, long-term support

Higher cost, may require benefits

Agency-Based VA

Vetted, managed, efficient onboarding

Slightly higher monthly fee


Interview Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Before bringing a PA onboard, ask:

  • What experience do you have in personal vs. executive support?

  • Which tools are you proficient with?

  • How do you handle time-sensitive tasks or shifting priorities?

  • Can you provide testimonials or samples of your work?


What to Consider Before Hiring a Personal Assistant

Before you post a job or start interviewing candidates, take a moment to define your ideal assistant profile. That includes:

  • Preferred availability (full-time, part-time, flexible hours)

  • Work environment (remote, hybrid, or on-site)

  • Primary responsibilities (personal errands vs. business tasks)

  • Tools and software they need to know (Google Calendar, Slack, Notion, etc.)

  • Your monthly or hourly budget

Once you’ve defined these, it’s easier to compare candidates, align expectations, and negotiate rates fairly. The best assistants aren’t just task-completers—they’re time multipliers.

Need help narrowing it down? Start with Should I Hire a Virtual Assistant? or use How to Hire Virtual Assistants as your step-by-step guide.


How OpsArmy Helps You Hire the Right Personal Assistant

At OpsArmy, we help you skip the guesswork by connecting you with high-quality personal assistants tailored to your goals and budget.

With OpsArmy, you get:

  • Curated matches based on task type, time zone, and industry

  • Pre-vetted professionals with verified work history

  • Flexible pricing models from part-time to full-time support

  • Replacement guarantees and ongoing support

Whether you're hiring for personal errands, business support, or full-time executive assistance, we’ll help you find the best fit—fast.

Check out Hire a Virtual Assistant to get started today.


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