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How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?

Alyson Scott • May 03, 2022

Ready to hire for your small business and wondering what a virtual assistant costs?

If business is booming and you’re ready to hire help (but aren’t quite at a point where you need a full-time staff), a VA might be right for you.

A virtual business assistant can take time-consuming tasks off your plate, so you can get back to the work you love. At Smart Choice Business Assistance, our experienced VAs handle a multitude of jobs.

The Cost to Hire a Virtual Assistant Varies

There is quite a broad range in price, with a few variables to consider. You’ll find VAs around the world priced anywhere between $3 - $100/hour, with the average price in North America between $30 - $50/hour.

Factors that Influence the Cost of a Virtual Assistant

Experience level influences price.

How long have they been doing this? What experience are they bringing to the table? Someone just starting will generally charge less for VA services than a more experienced assistant.

Keep in mind the learning curve that comes with less experienced VAs. While you will pay less, someone new to the industry will probably be slower and less productive than a seasoned assistant (which is to be expected as they are still learning).

Cost depends on the type of service.

The tasks a virtual assistant can take on are varied. There will often be different charges depending on the task at hand. How much time, effort, education, and training, have they gone through to be able to do the job well? (If it took 6 years to learn how to do a task in 30 minutes, you’re paying for the years, not the minutes).

Pricing varies with the size and duration of your project.

The scope of the project and the amount of time it will take to complete influence the cost. If you are working with a virtual assistant regularly (such as similar projects monthly, you may end up paying less than if it is a one-time project.

Location influences price.

Where in the world are they located? Because virtual assistants work remotely, they don’t need to be physically close to your business. Those living in North America have a higher cost of living and thus charge a higher rate than assistants located in India or The Philippines. There are pros and cons to shopping local and to working with an overseas VA.

Software knowledge costs more.

Some industry tools and technology need a very skilled hand – generally, the more complex the software included in your project, the higher the price.

Virtual Assistant Tasks Based on Cost

Most virtual assistants offer a variety of services. The amount you will pay a business assistant will vary depending on the tasks you need to be done. Simple, quick tasks will be less than more involved, time-consuming jobs that require a specific skillset.

Virtual Assistant Tasks That Cost You Less

· Answering phones

· Maintaining contact lists

· Organizing your inbox

· Calendar management

More expensive VA Tasks

· Social media management

· Bookkeeping

· In-depth set up of tools and systems

· Content creation

· Copywriting

· Lead generation

For more info on VA services, check out our post, 'What Tasks Can a Virtual Assistant Do?’

How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost Compared to Full-Time Staff?

If your business is new and you're not quite ready to hire a full-time employee, a virtual assistant is an excellent option because they offer flexible hours, various skills, and their own equipment and space.

Things you don’t have to worry about:

· Benefits

· Paid leaves

· Payroll costs

· Office equipment

· Office space

Ways Virtual Assistants Charge for Their Work

Monthly retainer

Rather than charging by the task or project, many VA’s will charge a monthly retainer for their services, so you pay for a certain number of hours rather than by specific jobs.

Per project

If you are managing the day-to-day operations of your business yourself and need a bit of backup randomly, per-project pricing might be for you. This is also helpful if you need help with the set-up and training of software, systems, or programs.

Hourly pricing

If your needs vary from month to month, hourly pricing may be a good option. A VA will charge an hourly rate, and closely track how many hours they work (which may vary slightly from month to month)

ROI of a VA – Is it Worth the Cost to Hire a Virtual Assistant?

Only you can answer this question – but generally, yes, it’s worth it to hire an assistant.

And if you aren’t seeing a good return on investment, it’s much easier to end a contract with a virtual assistant than it is to let go of a full-time employee.

When deciding whether the cost of a VA is worth the expense, ask yourself the following questions:

· Will your VA be handling any income-generating tasks?

· Can they take things off your plate so you have more time to focus on clients and generating sales?

· Are they bringing new skillsets and qualifications that can improve marketing, finances, or operations?

· Will they be introducing you to apps, systems, and tools that can increase productivity and make you more efficient (thus saving money)?

· How much is your time worth? If you don't want to live and breathe your business, is it worth it to pass off those tasks and enjoy your time?

Cost of a Virtual Assistant is Not the Only Factor

Cost is not the only factor to keep in mind when choosing a virtual assistant. Consider experience, skillsets, and training – who is the best fit for the tasks you need to complete?

When hiring a VA, consider their communication style and personality (especially if you will be working closely and spending a lot of time together).

One other factor to keep in mind, especially if you for hire social media or content creation, is their creative style. Choose someone who creates content you love.

Ready to Hire a VA?

Now that we have answered the question, ‘How much does a virtual assistant cost?’, check out our blog post, 54 Things a Virtual Assistant Can Take Off Your Plate, to see just what you can pass off!

Book a consult if you’d like to learn about our virtual assistants and how we can give you back your time!

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