How to Price Virtual Assistant Services in 2026

TL;DR: Virtual assistants charge $15-$75+/hr depending on skill level and specialisation. General admin VAs start at $15-$30/hr, while specialised VAs (executive, technical, marketing) command $40-$100+/hr. Monthly retainers range from $500-$5,000+.

Pricing Models for Virtual Assistants

Hourly billing is the most common model, especially for general administrative work. Track time carefully with a time-tracking tool and bill in 15-minute increments.

Monthly retainers guarantee a set number of hours per month at a fixed price. Offer a slight discount (5-10%) compared to hourly rates in exchange for committed monthly revenue.

Package pricing bundles specific services into defined tiers. A social media management package or a bookkeeping package can command higher rates than general hourly admin work.

Per-task pricing works for defined, repeatable tasks: data entry batches, email responses, research reports, or scheduling blocks. Quote per deliverable rather than per hour.

Rate Benchmarks

Online business managers (OBMs) represent the top tier of virtual support, charging $50-$100+/hr for strategic operations management that goes beyond task execution into business process optimisation.

Factors That Affect Your Pricing

Specialisation is the fastest path to higher rates. Executive assistants, project management VAs, marketing VAs, and tech-savvy VAs earn significantly more than general admin assistants.

Tool proficiency adds value. Expertise in CRMs (HubSpot, Salesforce), project management tools (Asana, Monday), or marketing platforms (Mailchimp, social schedulers) justifies premium pricing.

Availability and responsiveness affect rates. VAs who offer same-day turnaround or coverage during specific business hours can charge more for that reliability.

Client complexity matters. Supporting a solo entrepreneur is different from coordinating across a team of ten with multiple stakeholders and projects.

Language skills beyond English command premiums. Bilingual VAs who can handle correspondence, translation, or customer support in multiple languages are in high demand.

How to Raise Your Rates

Raise when you develop new skills, earn certifications, or when your client roster is full and you are turning away work.

Increase by $3-$10/hr for existing clients with 30 days notice. New clients should always receive your current rate.

Be clear and direct: "Starting [date], my hourly rate will be [new rate]. This reflects my expanded skill set in [area] and the consistent quality of support I provide."

How to Present Your Pricing

Create a services page that lists your core offerings in clear packages: Administrative Support, Marketing Support, and Executive Assistant. Each package should include specific deliverables and a monthly price.

During discovery calls, ask about the client's biggest time drains and daily frustrations. Then present your pricing as a direct solution to those pain points rather than an abstract cost for your time.

Offer a one-week or two-week trial period at your standard rate to demonstrate value. This lowers the commitment barrier while giving both parties a chance to assess fit before signing a longer-term agreement.

Common Pricing Mistakes

• Charging the same rate for all tasks: Administrative scheduling and strategic marketing support require different skill levels. Price accordingly.
• Not tracking time accurately: Every five-minute email check adds up. Use a timer and bill for all working time.
• Offering unlimited availability: Define your working hours clearly. After-hours support should carry a premium rate.
• Racing to the bottom against offshore VAs: Compete on quality, reliability, communication, and cultural understanding rather than price.
• Not requiring a minimum engagement: Set a minimum of 10-20 hours per month for retainer clients to ensure the relationship is worthwhile.

FAQ

Should I charge differently for US-based versus international clients? Set your rate based on the value you deliver, not the client's location. If your skills and reliability justify $40/hr, charge that regardless of whether the client is in New York or London.

How do I price project-based work versus hourly? For repeatable tasks where you know the time investment, project pricing can be more profitable. Track your time on the first few instances of a task, then set a project price that builds in a margin above your hourly equivalent.

When should I hire subcontractors to scale? Hire when you have more client demand than hours available and you can mark up subcontractor time by 30-50%. Ensure subcontractors meet your quality standards before assigning client work.

For managing your VA billing and time tracking invoices, see the InvoiceQuickly freelance invoicing guide.

---

Last updated: April 2026. Rates reflect current US market conditions and may vary by region, specialisation, and client type.