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Virtual Assistant Rates Explained: What to Expect in 2024

  • Writer: DM Monticello
    DM Monticello
  • Jun 5
  • 7 min read

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What Are Virtual Assistant Rates?

As remote work continues to rise, virtual assistants (VAs) have become a cost-effective solution for businesses needing skilled support. But how much should you expect to pay a virtual assistant in 2024?

Virtual assistant rates vary widely based on geography, experience, and the type of tasks you need help with. Understanding how rates are structured helps business owners hire smarter—and helps VAs price their services more effectively.


Hourly vs. Monthly vs. Project-Based Pricing

The most common pricing models include:

  • Hourly Rates: Charged for each hour of work performed. Ideal for ad hoc or part-time tasks.

  • Monthly Retainers: A set number of hours per month for a flat fee. Best for ongoing relationships.

  • Project-Based Pricing: Fixed rate for a specific task (e.g., setting up a CRM or writing blog posts).

Learn more about Demystifying Virtual Assistant Pay Rates to choose the best pricing model for your business.


Common Billing Structures Used by VAs

Some VAs charge:

  • Per hour for general admin support

  • Per deliverable for specialized work like design or content

  • Tiered packages for bundled services (e.g., 20 hours/month, priority support, etc.)

The structure depends on the nature of the work and the VA’s experience.


What’s Included in a Typical VA Package?

Standard packages usually include:

  • Email/calendar management

  • Task tracking

  • Meeting scheduling

  • Customer follow-up

  • Light social media support

Specialty packages may include bookkeeping, SEO optimization, or customer service systems setup.

Check out What Do Virtual Assistants Do? for a full breakdown of common services.


Key Factors That Influence VA Pricing

Role Type (Admin, Executive, Marketing, etc.)

Different roles command different price ranges. For example:

  • General Admin VA: Lower rates, basic support

  • Executive VA: Higher rates, advanced responsibilities

  • Social Media or Bookkeeping VA: Mid-to-high rates due to specialization

Compare rates across roles at How Much Do Virtual Assistants Make


Years of Experience and Specialization

More experience typically means higher rates. A VA with:

  • 1–2 years may charge $5–$15/hr offshore

  • 5+ years with a niche skill may charge $35–$75/hr onshore

Specialized VAs in marketing, finance, or healthcare often earn more.


Region and Cost of Living

Where a VA lives greatly influences their rate. For example:

  • A U.S.-based VA may charge $25–$60/hour

  • A Philippines-based VA may charge $5–$15/hour

Many businesses find offshore talent offers the best value for quality. See The Surprising Power of US Virtual Assistants for how regional differences impact hiring.


Freelance Platforms vs. Direct Contracts

Hiring through freelance platforms can add fees and overhead:

  • Freelancer sites: Take 10–20% of the VA’s pay

  • Direct contracts: More affordable and personalized, but require vetting

Direct hires often result in better long-term working relationships.


Average Virtual Assistant Rates by Region

United States and Canada

  • $25–$60/hour

  • Executive VAs and specialized roles often reach $75/hour or more

  • Monthly retainer: $2,500–$6,000

These rates reflect higher living costs and advanced English proficiency.


Philippines and Southeast Asia

  • $5–$15/hour

  • Skilled professionals with strong English communication

  • Monthly retainer: $600–$1,500

Ideal for customer service, scheduling, or repetitive tasks. Learn more at Hiring Virtual Assistants in the Philippines


Latin America and Eastern Europe

  • $7–$20/hour

  • Similar time zones to North America

  • Strong English, often with advanced business or tech experience

Increasingly popular for executive assistants and project managers.


India and South Asia

  • $6–$18/hour

  • High availability of tech-savvy and finance-trained professionals

  • Ideal for bookkeeping, tech support, and research tasks


Rate Comparison by Service Type

General Admin and Data Entry

  • Offshore: $5–$10/hour

  • Onshore: $20–$30/hour These services are easier to train and delegate.


Executive Virtual Assistants

  • Offshore: $10–$20/hour

  • Onshore: $30–$60/hour They handle C-level support, travel, and cross-team coordination.


Social Media and Marketing Support

  • $10–$40/hour globally Tasks may include content scheduling, engagement, analytics reporting, and ad campaign setup.

For help with lead generation, see Boost Your Sales with Virtual Assistants


Bookkeeping, Tech, and Specialty Services

  • $15–$50+/hour Niche skills like accounting, CRM integration, or website updates command higher pay.

Explore full-service hiring at Hire a Virtual Assistant


How Businesses Can Budget for a Virtual Assistant

Hiring a VA is one of the most cost-effective moves for startups and growing companies—if you plan your budget smartly.


Estimating Hours Needed Weekly

Start by tracking the tasks you want to delegate and estimating how long each one takes. For example:

  • Email management: 1–2 hours/day

  • Calendar management: 30 mins/day

  • Data entry: 2–4 hours/week

  • Social media scheduling: 3–5 hours/week

For many businesses, 15–25 hours per week is sufficient to offload major admin burdens.

Tools like Toggl and Clockify can help track time and build a clearer picture of workload before hiring.


Flat Fee vs. Retainer Agreements

Depending on your needs, you can opt for:

  • Flat fee per project (ideal for one-time tasks like building a lead list or setting up a system)

  • Retainer agreements for ongoing work (e.g., 40 hours/month for a set price)

Retainers offer predictable costs, while project fees allow for flexibility.

Use this guidance alongside How to Hire Virtual Assistants for a hiring strategy tailored to your budget.


Tools to Track ROI and Output

Use productivity tools to ensure you're getting value from your VA:

  • Time tracking: Harvest, Clockify

  • Task management: Trello, Asana, Notion

  • Reporting: Weekly summary reports or KPI dashboards

These tools make it easy to calculate whether a VA is saving you money or generating additional revenue.


How to Evaluate If a VA’s Rate Is Worth It

Just because a VA is affordable doesn’t mean they’re right for your business—and the most expensive VAs aren’t always the most effective either.


Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Ask questions like:

  • What’s your experience with [specific task or tool]?

  • How do you prioritize tasks when deadlines overlap?

  • What’s your preferred communication style?

  • Can you provide references or work samples?

Explore Interview Questions for Personal Assistants for a full checklist.


Red Flags of Overpriced or Underpriced VAs

Beware of:

  • Underpriced VAs who overpromise but lack the skills

  • Overpriced VAs charging premium rates with no measurable ROI

  • VAs who don’t track time or offer transparent reporting

Look for those who provide clear deliverables, communicate effectively, and demonstrate consistent value.


Aligning Budget with Business Goals

Your VA’s rate should align with the outcome you want:

  • Need basic support? Look offshore at $7–$12/hr

  • Need revenue-generating support (e.g., lead gen, outreach)? A higher rate may be justified

  • Want long-term growth support? Invest in a dedicated, skilled VA at a retainer rate

Read Why Hire a Virtual Assistant to clarify the ROI for your business stage.


Where to Find Reliable Virtual Assistants at the Right Rate

Not all VA sources are equal. Here's how different hiring paths compare:


Direct Hiring

  • Pros: Full control, better long-term relationships, no platform fees

  • Cons: Requires vetting and onboarding

Best for businesses ready to manage their own remote team. See How to Build a Team for best practices.


Remote Staffing Agencies

  • Pros: Pre-vetted talent, onboarding support, contracts included

  • Cons: Slightly higher cost for added support and infrastructure

Agencies like OpsArmy offer curated matches based on role, budget, and industry, making them ideal for busy founders.


Freelance Platforms (e.g., Fiverr, Upwork)

  • Pros: Huge talent pool, fast turnaround

  • Cons: High competition, inconsistent quality, platform fees up to 20%

These platforms can be useful for project-based work but are riskier for ongoing relationships.


Tools That Impact a Virtual Assistant’s Rate

What tools a virtual assistant uses—and how well they use them—often determines their rate. A VA who is efficient with automation software or project management tools will complete tasks faster and more accurately, justifying a higher fee.


Essential Tools That Influence Pricing

  • Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar): Standard for general admin VAs

  • Trello, Asana, or ClickUp: Used by project-based or operations-focused VAs

  • Slack and Zoom: For communication with clients and teams

  • QuickBooks or Xero: Bookkeeping VAs familiar with these tools often charge higher rates

  • Canva, Buffer, or Hootsuite: Used by social media and design VAs

When hiring, consider what tools are required for the job. A VA’s proficiency can save you hours weekly—which translates to long-term cost savings.

Learn more about tool-driven productivity in How to Use a Virtual Assistant to Maximize Your Productivity


Career Growth for Virtual Assistants: From Entry-Level to Expert Rates

Virtual assistance isn’t a “side gig” for everyone. Many professionals build long-term careers in the space and grow their rates significantly over time. Understanding this growth trajectory helps business owners choose the right level of experience—and helps VAs price their services strategically.


The VA Career Ladder

  1. Entry-Level VA (0–1 year)

    • Tasks: Basic admin, inbox management

    • Rate: $5–$12/hour offshore; $20–$25/hour onshore

  2. Skilled Specialist (2–4 years)

    • Tasks: Social media, scheduling, customer service

    • Rate: $12–$20/hour offshore; $30–$45/hour onshore

  3. Senior VA or Executive Assistant (4–7 years)

    • Tasks: High-level support, travel management, reporting

    • Rate: $15–$25/hour offshore; $40–$60/hour onshore

  4. Agency or Team Lead (7+ years)

    • Tasks: Team oversight, multi-client management, strategy

    • Rate: $25–$50+/hour offshore; $60–$100/hour onshore

Want to see how others grow in the VA space? Read A Guide for Success in Virtual Assistant Jobs


Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Rate for Your Business

Virtual assistant rates in 2024 offer flexibility for every budget—from solopreneurs to scaling startups. The key is aligning rate with impact. Don’t just shop for the lowest price—invest in a VA who saves you time, drives results, and supports growth.

Whether you need a few hours of admin help or full-time executive support, there’s a pricing model and talent pool to fit.

Explore how to Maximize Your Team’s Productivity with the right virtual assistant strategy.


How OpsArmy Connects Businesses with Top VAs

OpsArmy offers a smarter way to find virtual assistants at the right rate—without sacrificing quality.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Pre-vetted professionals: No guesswork, just qualified talent

  • Global network: Hire U.S., LATAM, or Southeast Asia-based VAs

  • Role-specific matching: From executive assistants to marketing VAs

  • Transparent pricing: Rates matched to your business needs and goals

  • Ongoing support: We help ensure ROI and retention

Whether you're a startup CEO or an operations leader, OpsArmy helps you grow without the overhead.


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