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How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Earn in 2024? Salary Breakdown by Role & Region

  • Writer: DM Monticello
    DM Monticello
  • Sep 23
  • 7 min read

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With remote work now mainstream, virtual assistants (VAs) are more in demand than ever. But one common question remains: How much does a virtual assistant actually earn in 2024?

Whether you're exploring a VA career or hiring one, understanding income benchmarks is key. In this guide, we’ll break down how earnings vary based on skills, experience, region, and type of work—plus how to earn more as a VA.


What Influences a Virtual Assistant’s Earnings?

Several factors determine how much a virtual assistant earns each month or year. Let’s explore the biggest ones.


Skill Level and Years of Experience

A beginner VA doing basic admin work might charge $8–$15/hour, while a seasoned executive VA or specialist may earn $40–$75/hour.

Experienced VAs often command higher fees due to:

  • Workflow mastery

  • Tool proficiency (Slack, Notion, ClickUp)

  • Strong communication skills

  • Business-savvy problem-solving


Niche Services vs. General Support

General admin support pays less than specialized services like:

  • Financial reporting

  • CRM setup

  • Paid ad management

  • Podcast production

Niche skills allow VAs to earn more by solving specific business problems.


Geographic Location (Client vs. VA Base)

Rates vary significantly depending on where the VA—and their clients—are located:

Region

Typical Rate Range

U.S./Canada

$25–$60/hour

Philippines

$5–$15/hour

Latin America

$8–$20/hour

Eastern Europe

$10–$25/hour

India/South Asia

$6–$18/hour

Clients often pay less when hiring internationally—but many still prioritize quality over cost.


Full-Time, Part-Time, or Project-Based Work

  • Full-time VAs: $3,000–$7,000/month depending on skill and location

  • Part-time: $500–$2,500/month

  • Project-based: $500–$5,000 per engagement depending on complexity

Some VAs combine models—retainers for stability + one-off projects for bonuses.


Virtual Assistant Salary by Location

Where a VA lives (and where their clients are based) significantly impacts income. Let’s break it down by region.


United States and Canada

  • Hourly Rate: $25–$60

  • Monthly Income: $3,500–$8,000

  • Annual: $45,000–$90,000+

U.S.-based executive VAs supporting CEOs or startups may even exceed $100K annually.


Philippines and Southeast Asia

  • Hourly Rate: $5–$15

  • Monthly: $600–$2,000

  • Annual: $7,200–$24,000

The Philippines remains a top choice for English-speaking VAs due to cultural alignment and affordability.


Latin America and Europe

  • Latin America: $8–$20/hour

  • Eastern Europe: $10–$25/hour

  • Western Europe: $25–$50/hour (often for in-person hybrid work)

LATAM-based VAs offer time zone alignment with North America and bilingual support.


India and South Asia

  • Hourly Rate: $6–$18

  • Monthly: $750–$2,500

  • Annual: $9,000–$30,000+

Strong in tech, support, data, and process-driven services.


Virtual Assistant Pay by Role or Function

Let’s look at what different types of virtual assistants typically earn:


Admin & Customer Support

  • $8–$25/hour depending on experience and geography

  • Tasks: inbox management, appointment setting, data entry

  • Often hired part-time or on flexible retainers

These roles are ideal for entry-level VAs or those supporting multiple small businesses.


Executive Assistance

  • $25–$75/hour

  • Tasks: calendar management, internal communications, HR coordination

  • Requires discretion, seniority, and fast thinking

Common in startups, agencies, and among remote CEOs.


Bookkeeping and Financial Services

  • $25–$65/hour

  • Tools: QuickBooks, Xero, Excel, financial dashboards

  • Often bundled into monthly packages ($750–$2,500/month)

Ideal for VAs with finance backgrounds or small business expertise.


Marketing, Tech, and Specialized Tasks

  • $20–$50/hour, or project fees of $500–$5,000

  • Includes social media, funnel building, email marketing, basic web design

These services command higher rates when tied to revenue-generating outcomes.

Explore how VAs drive growth in Boost Your Sales with Virtual Assistants


How Much Do Virtual Assistants Earn Per Month and Year?

Let’s convert those hourly rates into monthly and yearly income so you can plan realistically—whether you're hiring or offering services.


Hourly-to-Monthly Conversions

Assuming 40 hours/week, here’s what typical hourly rates translate to monthly:

Hourly Rate

Weekly

Monthly

Annual

$10/hr

$400

$1,600

$19,200

$25/hr

$1,000

$4,000

$48,000

$40/hr

$1,600

$6,400

$76,800

$60/hr

$2,400

$9,600

$115,200

Use these benchmarks when pricing services or budgeting for VA support. Part-timers would cut these numbers in half (e.g., 20 hours/week = 50% income).

To see how these apply globally, visit How Much Do Virtual Assistants Make


Common Retainer and Package Pricing

Virtual assistants frequently bundle services into retainers such as:

  • Basic Admin Support: 20 hours/month for $400–$800

  • Marketing + Admin: 40 hours/month for $1,200–$2,000

  • Executive VA Support: 80+ hours/month for $3,000–$5,500

Retainers simplify billing and ensure consistent income.

Explore package structuring in How to Hire Virtual Assistants


Part-Time vs. Full-Time Earnings

  • Part-Time VAs (10–25 hrs/week): $500–$3,000/month

  • Full-Time VAs (30–40+ hrs/week): $3,000–$8,000/month

Your total income will depend on whether you work solo or through an agency, and how many clients you take on.


High-Earning Virtual Assistants: What Sets Them Apart?

Not all VAs are created equal—some build six-figure incomes. Here’s how.


Premium Clients and Niches

Top VAs serve:

  • Tech founders

  • Online course creators

  • Coaches and consultants

  • Real estate professionals

They often manage strategy, client relationships, and backend systems—roles worth $60,000–$120,000/year.


Upskilling and Automation Expertise

VAs who learn high-demand tools earn more:

  • Tech: Zapier, Airtable, Slack

  • Marketing: HubSpot, ConvertKit, Canva

  • Ops: Asana, Trello, Notion, ClickUp

Clients will pay for time-saving systems. Learn how in How to Use a Virtual Assistant to Maximize Your Productivity


Managing Teams or Running an Agency

Many senior VAs go on to:

  • Hire junior assistants

  • Manage social media or ops teams

  • Launch their own VA agencies with $10K–$30K/month revenue

See growth strategies in How to Build a Team


Client Retention and Referral Networks

Top earners know that long-term clients = reliable income. They also:

  • Ask for testimonials

  • Leverage word-of-mouth referrals

  • Position themselves as business partners, not task runners

Client loyalty fuels income stability and career growth.


Real Examples: What Virtual Assistants Actually Earn on the Job

To understand earning potential, it's helpful to see what real-world virtual assistants are making today across different roles and regions.


U.S.-Based Executive Assistant

“I work 35 hours a week supporting two startup founders. I charge $45/hour, so I make around $6,300/month—or over $75K annually. I started at $28/hour three years ago and increased my rate with every new client.”


Philippines-Based Administrative VA

“I started at $6/hour and now charge $11/hour. I do inbox and calendar management for a real estate team. I work 30–35 hours/week and average $1,300/month, which is great for cost of living here.”


Social Media VA in Latin America

“I manage two brands’ Instagram and email newsletters. I charge $17/hour and work about 25 hours/week. That’s $1,700/month—plus some project bonuses.”


Finance VA in India

“I handle bookkeeping for 3 eCommerce clients. I charge a flat $600/month per client, so that’s $1,800/month total. I work around 35–40 hours weekly. I’m also learning QuickBooks Online Advanced to increase rates.”

As you can see, virtual assistant income varies—but it grows steadily with skills, retention, and client quality. Long-term client relationships and specialization often make the biggest difference.

Learn how to build your income step by step in A Guide for Success in Virtual Assistant Jobs


Final Thoughts: Plan Your Path to a Higher VA Income

Whether you’re new to the field or looking to raise your rates, here are key takeaways:

  • Start where you are: Even if you're earning $8/hour now, you can climb to $30+/hour with time, performance, and client results.

  • Choose your niche carefully: VAs with focused services—like automation, executive support, or CRM management—often earn double the general admin rate.

  • Invest in tools and systems: Master tools like Slack, ClickUp, HubSpot, and Zapier. They make you more efficient and justify higher fees.

  • Track your wins: Document time saved, tasks automated, or revenue supported. These case studies justify rate increases.

  • Build a client pipeline: Use referrals, your personal brand, and platforms like OpsArmy to stay fully booked.


How OpsArmy Helps Virtual Assistants Earn More

At OpsArmy, we believe skilled VAs should be rewarded fairly and consistently.

Whether you’re new or scaling your income, OpsArmy offers:

  • Client-matching based on your strengths

  • Long-term contracts to avoid the freelance feast-or-famine cycle

  • Training support to help you master tools and grow faster

  • Remote-first clients from the U.S., Canada, and beyond

  • Active community of VAs and operational experts for advice and support

If you're a virtual assistant ready to earn more and build a stable career, apply now via https://www.operationsarmy.com

Or if you’re a business owner looking to hire a high-performing VA, visit Hire a Virtual Assistant


The Long-Term Career Potential of Virtual Assistants

Many people still think of virtual assistant work as a temporary gig—but that’s far from the truth. In 2024, thousands of VAs are building long-term, profitable careers with stable income, recurring clients, and leadership roles.


From Assistant to Business Partner

As VAs gain more trust and insight into a client's operations, they often take on higher-level roles like:

  • Operations coordinator

  • Project manager

  • Marketing strategist

  • Client success lead

In many cases, VAs become essential to the executive team. Businesses increasingly look for assistants who can own results, not just complete tasks.

This evolution increases income dramatically—from $15/hour to $40–$60/hour or more.


Building Your Own VA Agency

Some experienced VAs eventually hire subcontractors to form small agencies. These teams offer:

  • Faster delivery across time zones

  • Multiple skill sets (design, admin, support, etc.)

  • Higher pricing due to bundled value

Monthly earnings for agency owners can reach $10K–$30K+, depending on client volume and team size.

Learn about scaling teams in Tips for Effective Team Management


A Sustainable Career with OpsArmy

If you're serious about long-term success, consider applying with OpsArmy. They help virtual assistants:

  • Find stable, well-paying contracts

  • Work with vetted clients from the U.S. and Canada

  • Grow into leadership and strategic roles

  • Avoid the job-hopping cycle of freelance platforms

Explore open opportunities or get started with Hire a Virtual Assistant


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