How Much Should a VA Cost You?

The simple answer here is that there is no simple answer. According to Google, a virtual assistant can cost you anywhere from $1-$100 per hour - thanks, Google! On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $50 hourly depending on many factors. When it comes down to it, there are a few things to take into consideration when deciding on how much you should be paying for a virtual assistant: 

What types of tasks do you need assistance with? 
The price you pay for a virtual assistant relies heavily on the skills you are looking for. For basic administrative tasks like scheduling, calendar management, data entry, and customer service, you can expect to pay a lower rate. If you are looking to hire someone with specialized skills like content creation or lead generation, you are most likely looking at a higher price tag. 

How much experience do you prefer?

Experience can make all the difference when working with a virtual assistant. A well-seasoned VA will likely charge more, but they can provide you with a higher level of customer satisfaction, work more efficiently, and you can be less hands-on during their training and workflow process. Newer virtual assistants who are still gaining the experience to work autonomously will cost less, but you will need to be more hands-on as they complete tasks As with most things, you do get what you pay for when it comes to working with a virtual assistant, so don’t expect to get a first-class admin or specialized skills at a $15 rate. 

My standard rule of thumb is this: 
Basic admins [0-1 years of experience]: $15-$20/h 
Intermediate admin and some specialized skills [1-2 years of experience]: $20-$28/h 
Experienced admin and most specialized skills [2+ years of experience] : $28-$50/h

What is your preferred location and time zone?
 Location can certainly play a role in the price a VA sets for their services. On larger freelance platforms and agencies sites, you can find virtual assistants based in Asia working for $2 to $10 an hour. You will find that, though the price is hard to beat, the time zone difference and cultural considerations can make it challenging to complete tasks and work efficiently together. Where your business is located also matters. If you live in California and want to hire someone familiar with your area, be prepared to take the cost of living into account when negotiating prices. If you don’t need to hire a VA in your immediate area, you’ll likely have more budget flexibility. 

What is your budget?  

Now, this might seem obvious, but your budget is likely at the top of your list of factors when thinking about bringing on a VA. Every business has a unique financial situation, and that should be something you take into consideration. If you have a limited budget, try making a list of the things that you absolutely need help with right away, and plan to be patient and understanding that the virtual assistant you hire might not be an expert. I promise you that getting a virtual assistant will be worth it in the long run and you can always upgrade or add in more help as your business grows.

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In conclusion, the days of paying minimum wage for administrative help are no more. Because VA’s work from home and don’t receive standard benefits, time off, or guaranteed hours, they do tend to charge more hourly than some might expect. Decide for yourself what you most need from a VA, whether that’s a low hourly rate, a lot of experience, or a certain time zone, and go with what feels right for you. 

If you have questions about choosing the right VA for you or VA pricing, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email at [email protected].

To read more about general vs. specialized skills or are interested in seeing our prices, visit our services and pricing page here.