Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
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Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How much should you charge as a virtual assistant?
Find your rate based on specialization, task complexity, and client type.
Virtual assistants in the US charge between $25 and $75 per hour. General administrative VAs average $25-$40/hr, while specialized VAs (executive, real estate, bookkeeping) charge $45-$75/hr. Monthly retainers range from $500 to $3,000 for 20-80 hours.
Floor
$25
per hour
Typical
$45
per hour
Premium
$75
per hour
Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How we calculated this
The rates on this page are derived from BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data for the closest matching occupation code, adjusted for freelance overhead using a transparent four-step formula.
- 01
Floor calculation
Your target income × 1.153 (SE tax) + annual software and tool costs, divided by billable hours. This is the minimum rate that covers your costs.
- 02
Market benchmarking
The base rate is positioned against BLS percentile data for your metro. You see exactly where you land — p10 through p90.
- 03
Skill and complexity adjustments
Multipliers of 0.85×–1.65× reflect your skill level and the complexity of the work. High-stakes, strategic work earns more.
- 04
Regional cost adjustment
BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP) adjust the final rate for local cost of living. San Francisco commands more; Austin less.
What changes the price
- Specialization (executive, social media, real estate, bookkeeping)
- Task complexity and decision-making autonomy
- Hours per week commitment
- Time zone coverage requirements
- Software proficiency (CRM, project management, accounting)
- Industry-specific knowledge
- Communication frequency and response time expectations
- Confidentiality and NDA requirements
Real quote breakdowns
Executive Virtual Assistant (Part-Time)
Calendar management, email triage, travel booking, meeting prep, and expense reports for a startup CEO. 20 hrs/week.
Breakdown
80 hrs/month × $32.50/hr (retainer rate). Includes calendar management (30%), email (25%), travel (15%), meeting prep (20%), expenses (10%).
Social Media VA (Monthly Retainer)
Content scheduling, community management, DM responses, and basic analytics reporting across Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. 15 hrs/week.
Breakdown
60 hrs/month × $50/hr. Scheduling + posting ($1,200). Community management ($1,000). Reporting + analytics ($500). Strategy input ($300).
Real Estate Virtual Assistant
MLS listing management, CRM updates, transaction coordination, showing scheduling, and client follow-up for a real estate team of 5 agents.
Breakdown
70 hrs/month × $50/hr. Listing management ($1,200). CRM + follow-up ($1,000). Transaction coordination ($800). Scheduling + admin ($500).
Frequently asked questions
Should virtual assistants charge hourly or monthly retainer?
Monthly retainers provide income stability and are preferred for ongoing engagements of 10+ hours/week. Hourly works for project-based or on-call tasks. For retainers, offer a slight discount (10-15%) versus your hourly rate in exchange for guaranteed monthly hours and payment predictability.
How much more should specialized VAs charge versus general VAs?
Specialized VAs (bookkeeping, real estate, executive) should charge 40-80% more than general administrative VAs. A general VA charging $25-$35/hr should charge $45-$65/hr for specialized work. The premium reflects domain expertise, reduced training time, and higher business impact.
How do US-based VAs compete with offshore VAs on pricing?
Do not compete on price. US-based VAs offer native English communication, cultural context, time zone alignment, and higher trust for sensitive tasks (email access, finances). Position yourself as a specialized professional, not a commodity. Clients who prioritize price over quality are not your target market.
Should VAs charge for training and onboarding time?
Yes — at a reduced rate. The first 1-2 weeks involve learning the client's systems and preferences. Charge 50-75% of your normal rate for the onboarding period (typically 10-20 hours). This is fair to both parties and sets the expectation that onboarding has value.
How many clients should a virtual assistant take on at once?
Most VAs can effectively serve 3-5 clients simultaneously, depending on hours committed to each. More than 5 leads to context-switching costs and missed deadlines. If demand exceeds capacity, raise rates rather than overcommitting — it protects quality and prevents burnout.
Related professions
The short version
- →Floor rate: $25/hr. Typical: $45/hr. Premium: $75/hr.
- →Virtual assistants in the US charge between $25 and $75 per hour.
- →The biggest rate drivers: Specialization (executive, social media, real estate, bookkeeping), Task complexity and decision-making autonomy, Hours per week commitment.
- →Rates are based on BLS OEWS May 2024 data, adjusted for freelance overhead, skill level, complexity, and regional cost of living.