How Much Do Virtual Assistants Make? Rates by Skill Level
Why the same job title pays wildly different rates — and how VAs move up
By the Monthly Income Booster editorial team · Updated · How we research and fact-check
On this topic
Virtual assistance is the fastest online skill to start because the first version of it is organisation, reliability, and clear communication — things you already have. Pay depends almost entirely on how specialised the tasks are.
What BLS data shows (May 2025)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025 national estimates) puts the median wage for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive (SOC 43-6014) at $22.86 an hour, or $47,540 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $16.00 an hour and the top 10% more than $31.90. BLS has no virtual assistant line. Secretaries and administrative assistants (except legal, medical and executive) is the closest employed equivalent; contract VAs are self-employed and not counted.
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest-paid 10% earn less) | $16.00 | $33,280 |
| Median | $22.86 | $47,540 |
| 90th (top 10% earn more) | $31.90 | $66,350 |
Worked example
The virtual assistant rate calculator's starting inputs — the monthly target is an example, not a typical VA income:
| Input or result | Value |
|---|---|
| Take-home you want per month | $2,500 |
| Hours you can work per month | 80 |
| Software and expenses per month | $120.00 |
| Tax set-aside | 25% |
| Share of hours that are unpaid admin | 20% |
| Hours in one retainer package | 20 |
| = Gross income needed | $3,453 |
| = Truly billable hours | 64 |
| = Rate to charge per hour | $53.96 |
| = Monthly retainer price | $1,079 |
General vs Specialist VAs
General admin — inbox, calendar, data entry, travel — competes globally and sits at the bottom of the range. Specialists in e-commerce operations, podcast production, bookkeeping, executive support, or paid ads management charge several times more for the same hours.
Retainers Beat Hourly
A monthly retainer for a defined scope gives you predictable income and gives the client predictable cost. It also stops the slow creep of unpaid extra tasks that eats hourly VAs alive.
Where Clients Come From
Facebook and Slack communities for founders, agencies that need overflow help, and past colleagues. Marketplaces work for the first client or two but push rates down over time.
Raising Your Rate
Document what you removed from the client's week, propose taking on the next thing they hate doing, and raise rates on renewal with notice. Clients rarely leave over a modest increase from someone reliable.
The Business Side
You're self-employed: contracts, invoices, and tax set-aside are yours to handle. The quarterly tax calculator gives you the monthly number to move aside.
Virtual assistant pay ranges enormously because the job title covers everything from inbox sorting to running a small company's operations. Your rate follows the responsibility, not the hours.
General Admin vs Specialist Work
Calendar and inbox management sits at the bottom of the range. Bookkeeping, ads management, podcast editing, email marketing, and customer support leadership sit far higher.
Retainers Beat Hourly
A monthly retainer for a defined package gives you predictable income and rewards you for getting faster. Hourly billing punishes efficiency.
Where Clients Come From
Freelance marketplaces for the first two clients, then referrals and direct outreach to small businesses in one niche you understand.
How VAs Raise Rates
Pick one specialism, document results for two clients, then quote packages rather than hours. Most rate jumps come from narrowing, not broadening.
Virtual assistant is a job title covering everything from inbox sorting to running a company's operations. That's why quoted rates vary so much: they describe different jobs.
General Admin Is the Entry Point
Scheduling, inbox management, data entry, and travel booking are easy to start and easy to replace, which keeps rates at the bottom of the range.
Specialists Earn Multiples
Podcast production, bookkeeping, ad management, email marketing, and CRM operations pay far more, because a client can't hand them to just anyone.
Retainers Beat Hourly
A monthly retainer for a defined scope smooths income and stops the client counting minutes. Most established VAs work this way.
Where Clients Come From
Referrals and communities, not job boards. One good client in a niche usually introduces the next, because they all know each other.
Raising Your Rate
Add one specialism, do it visibly well for two clients, then quote the new rate to every new enquiry. That's the whole ladder.
See also: How Much Do User Testers Make?.
Official sources
Tax rules, limits and pay data change. Check the current figures with the primary source before acting on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do virtual assistants charge per hour?+
General admin sits at the low end and specialist support at the high end. Your niche and the outcome you deliver matter far more than years of experience.
Do I need experience to become a VA?+
Not formal experience. Reliability, clear writing, and one specific skill a business needs are enough to land a first client.
Is VA work steady?+
Retainer clients make it very steady. Hourly, task-based work fluctuates and is harder to plan around.
Do I need experience to start?+
Basic admin, clear writing, and reliability are enough for entry-level work. Specialist skills are what raise the rate later.
How many clients can one VA handle?+
Most full-time VAs manage a handful of retainer clients. More than that usually means the packages are too small.
How much do virtual assistants charge per hour?+
It ranges enormously by specialism and region. General admin sits at the bottom, technical and marketing specialisms at the top — use the freelance rate calculator to set yours.
Do you need experience to become a VA?+
Not formally. Most start with admin tasks they've already done in a job and add a specialism once they have a client or two.
Is virtual assistance still in demand?+
Yes, particularly specialist support. Routine data entry is the part most exposed to automation.
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