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Virtual Assistant Hourly Rate in 2024: What You Should Expect to Pay or Earn

  • Writer: DM Monticello
    DM Monticello
  • Jun 18
  • 8 min read


Virtual assistants (VAs) have become essential to startups, small businesses, and executives looking to save time and scale operations. But whether you’re hiring one or becoming one, one question always comes up first: What’s the going virtual assistant hourly rate in 2024?

This comprehensive guide explores VA pay rates across roles, regions, and platforms—so you know what to expect whether you’re budgeting or setting your freelance fees.


What Affects the Hourly Rate of a Virtual Assistant?

The hourly rate of a virtual assistant isn’t one-size-fits-all. Rates vary based on experience, geography, tools, and specialization.


Type of Service

A VA providing basic administrative support may charge $8–$20/hour, while someone offering marketing, bookkeeping, or executive assistance may charge $25–$60+/hour.

Here’s a breakdown by category:

  • General Admin: Calendar, email, research

  • Executive VA: Founder support, ops, HR tasks

  • Marketing VA: Social media, email marketing, Canva

  • Specialists: Design, CRM setup, bookkeeping

More detail on role-based pricing is available in Demystifying Virtual Assistant Pay Rates


Years of Experience and Tool Proficiency

A beginner might earn $10/hour, while someone with 5+ years of experience, fluent in tools like Slack, ClickUp, HubSpot, or QuickBooks, might earn $40/hour or more.

Learn about career progression in A Guide for Success in Virtual Assistant Jobs


Geographic Region

Labor costs vary widely. The same VA role will cost much more in the U.S. than in Latin America or Southeast Asia.

See detailed comparisons below.


Freelancer vs. Platform-Based VA

Freelancers often set their own rates on platforms like Upwork. Managed platforms like OpsArmy provide pre-vetted VAs with standardized, transparent pricing—often at better value due to efficiency and support.


Virtual Assistant Hourly Rates by Region

Where your VA lives (or where you operate as one) has a big impact on hourly rate expectations.


U.S. and Canada

  • Admin VA: $25–$40/hour

  • Executive VA: $40–$75/hour

  • Specialized VA: $60–$100+/hour

  • Monthly range: $3,500–$7,500+

U.S.-based assistants often work full-time or as embedded team members. Explore more in The Surprising Power of US Virtual Assistants


Mexico and Latin America

  • General VA: $10–$20/hour

  • Executive/Marketing VA: $18–$35/hour

  • Monthly range: $1,200–$3,500+

Bilingual and in a shared time zone with the U.S., Mexican VAs are increasingly popular for real-time roles. See Hiring Virtual Assistants in the Philippines for LATAM hiring strategies.


Philippines and Southeast Asia

  • Admin VA: $5–$12/hour

  • Marketing/Executive VA: $10–$18/hour

  • Specialized VA: $15–$25/hour

  • Monthly range: $800–$2,500

The Philippines is known for high-quality English-speaking talent, especially for customer support and eCommerce roles.


Eastern Europe and India

  • Admin Support: $8–$18/hour

  • Tech/Design VAs: $20–$35/hour

  • Monthly range: $1,000–$3,200+

These regions are ideal for technical tasks, data entry, and process automation.


Average Hourly Rates by Service Type

Let’s break things down further based on the specific services VAs offer.


General Admin Support

  • Tasks: Email, calendar, document formatting, data entry

  • Rate: $8–$25/hour depending on region and experience

  • Ideal for: Founders, small teams, or fractional help

This is the most commonly outsourced category and easiest to delegate. Learn more in What If You Had a Virtual Assistant?


Executive Virtual Assistants

  • Tasks: Meeting prep, follow-ups, ops support, internal team coordination

  • Rate: $25–$75/hour, especially for U.S. and LATAM-based VAs

  • Ideal for: CEOs, startup founders, COOs

These roles require proactive thinking and fast decision-making.


Social Media & Marketing VAs

  • Tasks: Content design, scheduling, copywriting, analytics

  • Rate: $15–$45/hour

  • Ideal for: Creators, agencies, coaches

Marketing VAs help boost visibility and engagement, as shown in Boost Your Sales with Virtual Assistants


Specialized VAs (Tech, Design, Finance)

  • Tasks: Web maintenance, bookkeeping, funnel building, CRM setup

  • Rate: $25–$65/hour+, with some project-based billing

  • Ideal for: Agencies, SaaS teams, eCommerce businesses

These services directly impact revenue and command premium pricing.


How to Decide What to Pay or Charge as a VA

Whether you're hiring a VA or working as one, deciding on an hourly rate is critical. The right pricing strikes a balance between value and affordability.


Consider Industry Standards

Check platforms, job boards, and hiring agencies to see what others are charging or paying. For example:

  • FlexJobs often posts VA jobs ranging from $10–$50/hour.

  • Remote.co lists full-time and freelance VA roles with varied rates by function and location.

  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows median hourly earnings for administrative assistants in the U.S. at $20.58/hour.

That’s a good benchmark for general admin support—but specialized remote roles can exceed $40/hour.


Consider Task Complexity and Outcomes

Not all hours are equal. A VA who manages a social media calendar might charge $20/hour—but one who drives measurable engagement and leads could justify $45/hour.

Higher rates are easier to charge when you:

  • Deliver revenue or time-saving outcomes

  • Provide niche or hard-to-source skills

  • Work proactively and solve problems, not just complete tasks


Package Pricing vs. True Hourly

Some clients and VAs prefer monthly packages (e.g., $1,200/month for 40 hours), which guarantees commitment and income.

Pros of package pricing:

  • Predictable billing

  • Easier time allocation

  • Encourages long-term collaboration

Cons:

  • Can mask true hourly value

  • May lead to scope creep without clear boundaries

When using packages, define hours and expectations in advance. Learn more in Tips for Effective Team Management


Use Time-Tracking and Accountability Tools

If you're charging hourly, use tools like:

  • Toggl or Clockify for tracking

  • Loom for video updates

  • Asana or ClickUp for visible progress

Transparency builds trust and helps justify your hourly rate.


Hiring a Virtual Assistant at the Right Hourly Rate

Whether you’re hiring for a solo task or a long-term role, these tips can help you evaluate VA pricing.


Look at Value, Not Just Cost

Instead of asking “How much does a VA cost?” ask:

  • “What is this saving me in time?”

  • “What value will this assistant create?”

  • “Will they grow with my business?”

A $40/hour VA who saves you 10 hours/week and helps drive revenue is far more valuable than a $10/hour VA who needs handholding.


Signs of Underpricing or Overpricing

If a VA’s rate seems too low, watch for:

  • Poor communication

  • Missed deadlines

  • Lack of initiative

If it seems too high, expect:

  • Deep specialization

  • U.S./Canada-based work

  • Revenue-generating or client-facing tasks

Use this data to gauge quality and fit. More on this in Why Hire a Virtual Assistant


Match Your Needs with Your Budget

Here’s a simple breakdown by business size:

Business Type

Suggested Rate

Task Focus

Solopreneurs

$8–$25/hour

Admin, content, inbox, scheduling

Small businesses

$15–$40/hour

Customer service, marketing

Scaling startups

$25–$60/hour

Executive support, ops, tech setup

Hiring through a platform like OpsArmy ensures you get vetted VAs priced according to regional norms, skill level, and project needs.


Real-World Examples of Virtual Assistant Hourly Rates

To give you more practical context, here’s what virtual assistants actually earn (or charge) across regions and industries.


U.S.-Based Executive Virtual Assistant

$45/hour – 35 hours/week – $6,300/month

“I support two startup founders, handle all scheduling, light ops, and reporting. I’ve increased my rate over time as I’ve learned their systems and tools like ClickUp and Slack.”


Philippines-Based General VA

$8/hour – 40 hours/week – $1,280/month

“I manage inboxes, format proposals, and do weekly reports. I've been with my current client for two years, working full-time and getting paid on time through a platform.”


Mexico-Based Marketing Assistant

$18/hour – 20 hours/week – $1,440/month

“I run Instagram and TikTok campaigns for a U.S. coaching brand. I do light editing in Canva and track email performance via ConvertKit.”

These examples reflect a common truth: VAs who build long-term client relationships and specialize in platforms like Asana, Notion, and HubSpot often earn the most.


What Employers Should Know About Budgeting for Hourly VAs

Many business owners struggle with rate decisions. Here’s a breakdown to help you make smarter hiring choices.


Start with Your Needs

If you only need help with inbox management or scheduling 10 hours per week, a $10–$20/hour VA from LATAM or Asia is perfect.

If you're seeking:

  • Client-facing help

  • Bilingual communication

  • Revenue-impacting tasks (e.g., lead gen or sales support)

…then $25–$50/hour is more realistic.

Explore decision-making tools in Should I Hire a Virtual Assistant?


Consider Time vs. Outcome

You might think a $10/hour VA is “cheaper,” but if it takes them 5 hours to complete a task a $30/hour VA can finish in 1 hour, the value is clear.

This is why many businesses opt for:

  • Outcome-based pricing (e.g., $500/month for 20 hours)

  • Performance-based bonuses

  • Tiered rate increases over time

Time-tracking and productivity transparency are discussed in How to Use a Virtual Assistant to Maximize Your Productivity


Common Mistakes to Avoid When Evaluating Hourly VA Rates

Even experienced business owners can misjudge value when hiring virtual assistants. Here’s what to avoid:


Mistake #1: Prioritizing Price Over Fit

Many new clients default to the lowest-cost assistant. But a mismatch in language, tools, or reliability costs far more in lost time than paying slightly more for a qualified VA.


Mistake #2: Failing to Set Clear Expectations

If a VA is unsure what “success” looks like, you’ll likely experience scope creep, miscommunication, or inconsistent performance. This applies to hourly and project-based work.

Set expectations clearly:

  • Scope of work

  • Communication channels

  • Weekly time caps

  • Preferred time zones

These onboarding tips are covered in How to Build a Team


Mistake #3: Hiring Without a Plan for Retention

Virtual assistants are not meant to be short-term gig workers. The real value comes after the first 60–90 days, when they know your workflows and act with autonomy.

Offer:

  • Clear SOPs

  • Weekly check-ins

  • Opportunities for skill-building

  • Incentives for long-term engagement


How OpsArmy Supports Fair, Transparent Hourly Rates

Unlike freelance platforms where prices swing wildly, OpsArmy vets and places virtual assistants based on:

  • Skill level

  • Industry experience

  • Geographic cost of living

  • Language fluency

  • Client needs

This ensures clients aren’t overpaying, and VAs are compensated fairly and consistently.


Flexible Plans That Fit Your Budget

OpsArmy offers:

  • Hourly part-time VAs (10–20 hrs/week)

  • Full-time remote staff

  • Role-specific pricing based on actual market data

  • Support to scale teams as your business grows

Whether you're hiring for a simple administrative role or seeking a dedicated operations lead, OpsArmy matches you with professionals who deliver results—at competitive rates.

Explore available roles via Hire a Virtual Assistant


Final Thoughts: Understand the Rate, Focus on the Value

Your hourly rate is just one part of the picture. What truly matters is:

  • How much value your VA creates

  • How much time you get back

  • Whether they help drive growth and consistency

Hiring through a platform like OpsArmy means you get:

  • Vetted, trained professionals

  • Consistent, affordable pricing

  • Ongoing support for success

💡 Ready to hire? Visit https://www.operationsarmy.com to match with the right virtual assistant today.


About OpsArmy: Fair Rates for World-Class Virtual Talent

OpsArmy is a trusted platform for hiring virtual assistants from Mexico, the Philippines, and other top remote regions. We connect growing companies with pre-vetted professionals based on:

  • Skillset and industry fit

  • Time zone compatibility

  • Communication style and tool fluency

Why Choose OpsArmy for Hourly VA Hiring?

  • Transparent pricing: Know your VA’s hourly or monthly rate upfront

  • Flexible plans: Start with part-time or ramp up to full-time

  • Long-term focus: Many clients stay with the same VA 12–24+ months

  • Fully managed: We handle sourcing, onboarding, and support


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