How Much Should You Pay A Virtual Assistant Per Hour?

Key Takeaways

• Rates depend on the role, skills, and country.

• Monthly pay is often simpler than hourly for full-time help.

• The cheapest option is rarely the best value.

What Changes The Price

• Skills: Data entry costs less than bookkeeping or project management.

• Experience: More years usually means a higher rate.

• Region: Rates differ by country and cost of living. See Latin America and the Philippines.

• Hours: Full-time help is often cheaper per hour than a few hours a week.

• Tools and training: Special software knowledge can raise the rate.

Hourly Or Monthly?

Hourly

Good if your workload changes a lot. You pay only for time used.

Monthly

Good for full-time or steady part-time help. It is easier to budget and helps you keep a good person long term.

How To Set A Fair Rate

1. Write the job and the hours.

2. Decide the skill level you need.

3. Compare a few offers.

4. Pay on time, every time. Good people stay with good employers.

Watch Out For Hidden Costs

• Tools and software

• Time you spend training

• Turnover when you pick on price alone

See our full virtual assistant cost page and the 2026 cost guide.

Next Steps

Not sure what budget fits your role? Tell us what you need and we will explain your options.