If you’re wondering ‘how much does a virtual assistant cost’, this is your ultimate blog.
It’s challenging for a busy founder or executive to determine a virtual assistant's cost in 2026, as it varies based on their skill, experience, the country from which they operate, and the company they are associated with.
So, in this article, we break down everything from average pricing across the world to the cost of a virtual assistant at top virtual assistant companies in 2026.
How much does a virtual assistant cost?
According to Payscale, the cost of US-based virtual assistants typically ranges from $15 to more than $29.66 per hour, depending on experience and specialization. The cost of offshore virtual assistants can be as low as $4 to $10 per hour, particularly in countries like the Philippines and India. Wishup offers both offshore and US-based virtual assistants — skilled in 200+ AI tools and priced from $1,299/month — making it one of the easiest ways to hire a virtual assistant without the usual hiring difficulties.
Virtual Assistant Cost Comparison Table
What Factors Affect Virtual Assistant Pricing?
Four parameters impact the average cost of a virtual assistant. Here they are:
Geography (US-based, offshore):
There are two types of virtual assistants based on geographical location: US and offshore virtual assistants.
How much do virtual assistant services cost in the US?
Hiring a U.S.-based virtual assistant typically costs $3000 to $7,000 per month for part-time to full-time support. That usually breaks down to $30-$75 per hour, based on VA experience. According to Indeed, the average US virtual assistant salary is $27.15/hour — compared to Wishup's rate of $9.99/hour for a pre-vetted, college-educated VA trained in 200+ skills and 70+ AI tools.
How much do Indian virtual assistants cost?
The average cost of Indian virtual assistants starts from $9 and goes beyond $20. The cost is affordable due to the lower cost of living in offshore regions like India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. You can still get premium Indian VAs if you hire from top companies that operate in these regions.
Skill Level (admin vs. specialized):
Virtual assistants are categorized into two types based on the activities they do: admin VAs and specialized VAs.
How much does an administrative virtual assistant cost?
Administrative virtual assistants handle the front office, back office, and all other basic operational tasks in a business. Personal executive assistants also fall under this category. As they offer simple day-to-day assistance, they usually cost less, starting from $10 per hour. However, the experienced VAs can cost more than $50 per hour.
How much does a specialized virtual assistant cost?
Specialized virtual assistants are experts in domains such as web development, marketing, graphic design, CRM handling, bookkeeping, etc. As they offer specialized assistance in complex areas, they cost more, starting from $15 per hour and going beyond $75 per hour.
Also, the pricing varies depending on the industry they serve. For example, a healthcare virtual assistant costs more than a real estate virtual assistant, especially when businesses hire AI app developers to meet strict compliance and customization requirements.
Engagement type (hourly, part-time, full-time):
Virtual assistant pricing varies based on time-dependent needs. There are three types of virtual assistants:
i) hourly virtual assistants
ii) part-time virtual assistants
iii) full-time virtual assistants.
What’s the pricing of full-time virtual assistants?
The cost of a full-time virtual assistant starts from $1000 per month and goes beyond $5000 per month based on the industry and VA specialty. They support a minimum of 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day. Full-time VAs are ideal for business owners with a routine, busy schedule.
What’s the cost of part-time virtual assistants?
The cost of a part-time virtual assistant starts from $500 per week and goes beyond $3000 per week based on the niche they serve. They usually support a minimum of 20 hours per week, 4 hours per day. Part-time VAs are ideal for executives with light operational requirements.
What’s the cost of hourly virtual assistants?
When you hire a virtual assistant to work only on an hourly basis based on emergency requirements, the costs can be high, starting from $25 per hour, even for an offshore VA. The high cost is attributed to the customer’s flexibility as tasks are assigned on an on-demand basis, instead of a long-term commitment. Hourly VAs are suitable for busy executives needing occasional support.
Average Virtual Assistant Pricing Across the World in 2026
Pricing Comparison Among Top 15 Virtual Assistant Companies in 2026
We have classified the virtual companies across four cost categories, considering the quality of the virtual assistant, too. They are:
i) Value Choice: Affordable + Quality
ii) Moderately Priced
iii) Expensive
iv) Overpriced
i) Value Choice: Affordable + Quality
These are companies with affordable pricing, quality virtual assistants, and transparent pricing plans.
- Wishup
Wishup is a US-based virtual assistant company that delivers top 0.1% virtual assistants across 50+ industries. They onboard you with a trained virtual assistant in just 60 minutes. With both US-based and offshore virtual assistants, they serve clients globally, irrespective of timezone, with dedicated client/account managers.
Cost: The cost of hiring a virtual assistant from Wishup starts from $1299 per month for a basic part-time virtual assistant. Here are the pricing plans:
| Wishup Pricing Plan | Hours / Month | Monthly Price | Quarterly Price (Discounted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic VA (Part-time) | 80 hours | $1,299 | $3,702.15 |
| Basic VA (Full-time) | 160 hours | $1,999 | $5,697.15 |
| Elite VA (Part-time) | 80 hours | $1,999 | $5,697.15 |
| Elite VA (Full-time) | 160 hours | $2,999 | $8,547.15 |
What kind of business is this suited for?
- Entrepreneurs, startups, and SMBs needing flexible, scalable support without long-term locks can choose Wishup.
- Anyone wanting highly vetted, AI‑ and no‑code‑trained VAs capable of executing 200+ automation skills.
- Businesses seeking transparent, capped pricing with instant onboarding and risk‑free replacements.
- Wing
Wing Assistant provides task-based remote talent to startups and enterprises through a mix of automation and human support. They have niche-focused VAs ranging from Amazon VAs to real estate and executive assistants. This model often requires hiring multiple VAs for different roles.
Cost: Wing Assistant uses a multi-tier pricing system based on assistant experience (Entry, Mid, Expert) and work hours (Part-Time: 4 hrs/day, Full-Time: 8 hrs/day). Here’s the pricing breakdown.
General Virtual Assistant
- Entry-Level (1–3 years):
- Part-Time: $699
- Full-Time: $1,099
- Mid-Level (3–5 years):
- Part-Time: $999
- Full-Time: $1,399
- Expert-Level (5–10 years):
- Part-Time: $1,299
- Full-Time: $1,799
Personal Assistant
- Entry-Level (1–3 years):
- Part-Time: $799
- Full-Time: $1,299
- Mid-Level (3–5 years):
- Part-Time: $1,099
- Full-Time: $1,699
- Expert-Level (5–10 years):
- Part-Time: $1,399
- Full-Time: $1,999Executive Assistant:
Executive Assistant
- Entry-Level (1–3 years):
- Part-Time: $1,299
- Full-Time: $1,999
- Mid-Level (3–5 years):
- Part-Time: $1,599
- Full-Time: $2,499
- Expert-Level (5–10 years):
- Part-Time: $1,999
- Full-Time: $2,999
Ideal For:
- Companies with diverse, role-specific needs (e.g., Amazon store, real estate ops, exec admin) who don’t mind hiring multiple specialized VAs.
- Founders who prefer tiered pricing based on skill level and can match budget to experience.
- Startups and enterprises willing to invest $1,000–$3,000/month per VA for niche expertise and defined time blocks (4–8 hrs/day).
- Bruntwork
Bruntwork is a global provider of virtual assistants mostly sourced from the Philippines and other countries, offering support across industries like e-commerce, digital marketing, bookkeeping, and customer service. While claims to flexibility exist, key service terms often introduce complexities like security deposits, notice periods, and delayed onboarding.
Cost: Hourly rate starts at $4/hour and can spike up to $17/hour for specialized tasks. For example, an experienced virtual accountant might cost $17/hour, equating to around $1,400/month for a full‑time schedule (4 hrs/day, 5 days/week).
Ideal For:
- Businesses trading off vetting and support for low initial hourly rates.
- Those okay with longer onboarding cycles (typically 10+ business days) before work begins.
- Clients who accept deposits, notice periods, and variable pricing in exchange for a lower base rate.
- Businesses ready to work with Filipino virtual assistants.
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ii) Moderately Priced
Companies with decent talent but at a bit higher pricing range.
4. MyOutDesk
MyOutDesk is ideal for established businesses and real estate pros seeking full-time, highly vetted virtual assistants with industry-specific expertise. It offers a traditional staffing model with thorough background checks and managed services but comes with a higher price tag and longer onboarding.
Cost: MyOutDesk charges around $1,988 per month for a full-time (40 hours/week) virtual assistant on a month-to-month basis, though exact hours aren’t clearly specified. Longer commitments offer discounts: $1,848/month for 6 months and $1,788/month for 12 months. Their model mainly supports full-time VAs, so part-time needs still incur the full monthly fee. The price covers the VA’s salary plus management, benefits, and overhead.
Ideal for: Established businesses or teams needing full-time, dedicated virtual assistants with specialized industry experience and who prefer a managed staffing solution with good support.
5. Get Magic
Get Magic offers virtual assistant services specializing in quick task completion for busy entrepreneurs and small teams. They provide flexible, pay-as-you-go support without long-term contracts. Ideal for those needing fast, reliable help with everyday tasks and errands.
Cost: Get Magic VAs cost $15/hour, with a standard rate of $600/week or $2,400/month. After the first 20 hours, tasks outside your assistant’s hours are billed at $35/hour.
Ideal For: Ideal for businesses that need flexible, on-demand virtual assistance and are willing to pay a premium for hourly billing without long-term commitments.
6. Prialto
Prialto offers managed virtual assistant services focused on executive support and sales operations, providing skilled assistants backed by dedicated account managers. Their assistants handle calendar management, email triage, and pipeline support, mainly for mid-sized to large businesses. Prialto’s model emphasizes high-touch service with continuous training and oversight to ensure quality.
Cost: Prialto offers full-time virtual assistant services with three pricing tiers:
- Individual Plan starts at $1,350/month for 55 hours of support.
- Team Plan begins at $4,050/month for 3+ assistants and 165+ hours.
- Organization Plan includes 8+ assistants with 440+ hours (pricing not listed). Unused hours don’t roll over, but backup support is included. Overage charges only apply after consistently exceeding hours by 20–30%. A minimum 90-day commitment is required to get started.
Ideal For: Businesses needing reliable, full-time virtual assistant support with scalable team options and predictable monthly hours, especially those ready for a minimum 3-month commitment.
iii) Expensive
Premium-priced services that charge a lot more for similar virtual assistant capabilities.
7. Zirtual
Zirtual provides U.S.-based virtual assistants specializing in administrative tasks, scheduling, and project management. Their VAs are trained to support entrepreneurs, professionals, and small teams with daily business operations. They emphasize personalized service and consistent assistant-client relationships.
Cost:
- Entrepreneur Plan ($549/month): 12 hours of work with 1 user per month
- Startup Plan ($849/month): 24 hours of work with 2 users per month
- Small Business Plan ($1,249/month): 36 hours of work with 3 users per month
- Team Plan ($1,699/month): 50 hours of work with 5 users per month
Ideal For: Ideal for busy entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals who need dedicated, U.S.-based administrative support with a personal touch and reliable day-to-day assistance.
8. Time
Time Etc, is a U.S.-based virtual assistant company founded in 2007. They employ college-educated virtual assistants with prior work experience. Their services include administrative support, social media management, and content marketing, catering to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Cost: Time Etc offers four monthly plans ranging from 10 to 60 hours, with hourly rates decreasing from $38 to $35 as hours increase. The basic 10-hour plan costs $380/month and does not allow unused hours to roll over, unlike other plans. Unused hours in higher plans roll over, and there are no long-term contracts; custom larger plans are available by consultation.
Ideal For: Ideal for busy professionals and small business owners who need flexible, part-time virtual assistant support with rollover hours and no long-term commitments.
iv) Overpriced
Companies with inflated pricing that suit only enterprises.
9. Belay
Belay is a U.S.-based virtual staffing company founded in 2010, specializing in connecting clients with dedicated virtual assistants, accounting professionals, and social media managers. Their rigorous vetting process accepts only the top 3% of applicants, ensuring high-quality support.
Cost: According to a Reddit user, the hourly rate averages around $42.70 but can vary depending on the specific business and requirements.
Ideal For: Ideal for businesses seeking highly experienced, U.S.-based virtual assistants who prioritize reliability and personalized support.
10. Boldly
Boldly is a premium subscription staffing company offering highly skilled remote assistants based in North America and Europe. They specialize in providing experienced executive assistants, project managers, and other professionals to support business leaders and organizations. Boldly emphasizes personalized matching to ensure that clients are paired with assistants who align with their specific needs and company culture.
Cost: Boldly offers flexible monthly plans starting at $2,520 for 40 hours of support, with options up to 80 hours and custom plans for more. Pricing is slightly higher in New York City, starting at $2,595 for 40 hours. They also offer a 2.9% discount for ACH payments. Specialized tasks like web design or technical work are charged separately at $79/hour. Clients get a skilled executive assistant with a free introductory meeting.
Ideal For: Enterprises seeking highly skilled and very expensive executive assistants with flexible hours, who want to choose talent from North America or Europe, and value personalized onboarding with a free introductory meeting.
11. Athena
Athena Executive Services is a U.S.-based firm specializing in pairing high-caliber, part-time virtual executive assistants with entrepreneurs, executives, and leadership teams. Their assistants are thoroughly vetted through a rigorous hiring process, ensuring they are well-versed in a wide variety of platforms and interfaces. Athena focuses on enabling clients to delegate tasks effectively, allowing them to concentrate on higher-value activities.
Cost: Athena charges a flat rate of $36,000 per year for a dedicated full-time executive assistant working 40+ hours per week. This all-inclusive fee covers the assistant’s salary with no hidden costs. For detailed and up-to-date information on Athena's pricing, please refer to Athena EA costs in late 2026.
Ideal For: Established businesses and entrepreneurs seeking a highly dedicated, full-time virtual assistant with premium training and pricing.
12. Pearl Talent
Pearl Talent is a staffing agency specializing in connecting businesses with top-tier remote talent from Latin America, the Philippines, and South Africa. They focus on sourcing candidates from prestigious universities and organizations, ensuring high-quality professionals for various roles. Their approach emphasizes a white-glove service model, providing clients with a seamless and exceptional experience in hiring and integrating remote talent into their teams.
Cost: Pearl Talent charges a flat rate of $3,000 per month under their "Managed Services" plan. This price covers virtual assistants handling everything from basic to complex tasks, with no clear definition of monthly working hours. The all-in-one fee simplifies budgeting but comes at a premium.
Ideal For: Enterprises that need a reliable, full-service virtual assistant solution with dedicated management and support for a variety of administrative and operational tasks at a premium pricing level.
13. Persona Talent
Persona Talent is a global staffing agency specializing in connecting companies with top-tier remote professionals, including executive assistants, project managers, and specialists in various fields. With a commitment to rapid placement, Persona aims to integrate professionals into teams within 21 days, facilitating swift scaling for businesses.
Cost: Persona Talent does not publicly display pricing on its website; interested clients must fill out a form to receive details. According to the latest information, their virtual assistant services are priced around $4,000 per month. This premium pricing reflects their focus on highly vetted, top-tier talent and personalized matching.
Ideal For: Ideal for high-budget enterprise clients who prioritize premium, personalized virtual assistant support and are willing to invest a lot.
Bottom Line
Virtual assistant pricing in 2026 ranges from as low as $8/hour to upwards of $70/hour, depending on location, skills, and service model. Whether you're a bootstrapped founder or a fast-scaling team, there’s an option tailored for your budget and needs. The key is choosing a provider that balances cost with quality, training, and reliability.
If you'd like to hire a virtual assistant in just 60 minutes, schedule a free consultation now with Wishup.
Or if you want to just know how much budget you should allocate for a virtual assistant, you can get a free estimate below.
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Neelesh Rangwani · Co-founder at Wishup
With 10+ years in the virtual assistant space, Neelesh has helped 1000+ founders build efficient remote teams by matching them with top 0.1% virtual assistant talent. He writes about VA pricing, hiring frameworks, remote productivity, and scaling ops.
More posts by Neelesh → · Connect on LinkedInFrequently Asked Questions
1. What is the average hourly cost of a virtual assistant in 2026?
The average cost of a virtual assistant in 2026 ranges from $7 to $65 per hour, depending on their location, experience, and skill set. Offshore virtual assistants (like those from India or the Philippines) usually cost between $7 and $15/hour, while U.S.-based assistants can cost upwards of $30/hour.
2. How much does a virtual assistant cost monthly?
The monthly cost of a virtual assistant ranges between $1,200 and $4,500/month for part-time or full-time support. Flat-rate pricing packages are often available for 20, 40, or 80-hour plans.
3. Are virtual assistant services pricing fixed or flexible?
Most virtual assistant services offer tiered pricing plans based on hours, with some allowing custom packages. Companies like Wishup provide flexible packages, while others operate on a fixed hourly or subscription model.
4. What factors impact virtual assistant pricing?
Key factors include geography, skill level, experience, industry specialization, and engagement type (freelance vs. managed service). Highly specialized virtual assistants (like legal or medical assistants) demand higher rates.
5. How do virtual assistant pricing packages work?
Pricing packages often come in prepaid hourly blocks, like 20, 40, or 80 hours/month. Some providers bundle services (admin + bookkeeping) at a discounted rate, while others charge à la carte.
6. Is there a big difference in virtual assistants' pricing between countries?
Yes. For example, hiring a virtual assistant from India or the Philippines can cost 70% less than hiring one from the U.S. or the UK. But quality and language proficiency still matter more than location alone.
