How Much Would a Virtual Assistant Cost Me Per Month

The first time I looked into hiring a virtual assistant, I expected a simple answer.

Something like: “It costs $X per month.”

Instead, I got huge ranges, vague hourly rates, and pricing pages that didn’t explain what I’d actually be paying for or why.

It wasn’t until I hired (and paid for) virtual assistants myself that it finally clicked:

The monthly cost of a virtual assistant depends less on geography and more on how much structure, ownership, and reliability you need.

Here’s the honest breakdown of what a VA really costs per month, based on real setups, not marketing promises.

First: The 3 Things That Actually Determine Monthly VA Cost

Before talking numbers, these factors matter more than anything else:

Hours per month (part-time vs full-time)

Hiring model (freelancer, direct hire, managed service)

Type of work (task execution vs ownership)

Once you’re clear on those, the pricing confusion goes away.

Option 1: Freelancer Virtual Assistants

Typical monthly cost:

$400–$1,200/month (10–20 hours per week)

This is where most people start, and where I started too.

What you’re paying for

Task execution

Hourly availability

Flexibility

What you’re not paying for

Backup coverage

Training

Process improvement

Accountability beyond hours worked.

Where this works

One-off projects

Short-term research or cleanup

Clearly defined, isolated tasks

My experience

Freelancers look affordable, but the hidden cost is management time. I spent more hours explaining, reviewing, and following up than I expected.

Bottom line

Low monthly cost, high involvement from you.

Option 2: Directly Hired Offshore Virtual Assistants

Typical monthly cost:

$800–$1,600/month (full-time)

This usually means hiring directly from regions like the Philippines or Eastern Europe.

What you’re paying for

A dedicated, full-time assistant

Long-term consistency

Lower hourly rates

What you need to provide

Clear SOPs

Onboarding and training

Ongoing management

Coverage if they’re unavailable

Where this works

Clearly defined, repeatable work

Businesses with documented processes

Founders comfortable managing people

My experience

This model works extremely well after your systems are in place. Before that, it can feel like you’re paying to train someone while still doing the work yourself.

Bottom line

Great value, but only if your business is ready for it.

Option 3: Managed Virtual Assistant Services

Typical monthly cost:

$1,200–$2,500/month (full-time equivalent)

With this model, the service handles vetting, training, and continuity.

What you’re paying for

Pre-trained assistants

Replacement coverage

Faster onboarding

Ongoing quality control

What you give up

Some flexibility

A slightly higher monthly cost

Where this works

Small businesses

Founders who don’t want to manage people

Ongoing admin, ops, support, or reporting roles

My experience

This is where things finally felt stable. I wasn’t just paying for hours; I was paying for reliability and peace of mind.

Bottom line

Higher cost than freelancers, but far fewer headaches.

Option 4: US-Based Premium Virtual Assistants

Typical monthly cost:

$3,000–$6,000+/month

What you’re paying for

Native-level communication

Executive assistant skill sets

Time-zone alignment

Where this works

Founder-level inbox and calendar management

Client-facing roles

High-stakes coordination

My experience

Excellent quality, but complete overkill for most operational or task-heavy work.

Bottom line

High polish, high price. Not necessary for most small businesses.

The Hidden Costs Most People Miss

This was the biggest surprise for me.

A $600/month VA who needs constant direction can cost more than a $1,500/month VA who owns outcomes.

Hidden costs include:

Rework

Missed follow-ups

Context switching

You are becoming the bottleneck.

Practical takeaway

The cheapest option on paper is often the most expensive long-term.

How I Decide What a VA Is “Worth” Per Month

I use one simple question now:

“What would it cost me not to delegate this?”

If a VA frees up:

10+ founder hours per week

Focus on sales or clients.

Mental bandwidth

…I’m willing to pay more for reliability and ownership.

What Most Small Businesses Actually Pay

If you want a realistic range, not best-case scenarios:

Part-time help: $500–$1,000/month

Full-time offshore VA: $900–$1,600/month

Managed VA service: $1,200–$2,500/month

US-based premium VA: $3,000+/month

Most small businesses land in the $1,200–$2,000/month range once they prioritize consistency over the lowest rate.

Summary: What a Virtual Assistant Will Really Cost You Per Month

There’s no single “right” price, but there is a right fit.

My non-negotiables now

I pay for ownership, not just hours

I budget monthly, not hourly.

I factor management time into the real cost.

I choose stability over the cheapest quote.

Once I stopped asking “What’s the cheapest VA?” and started asking “What will actually stick?”, hiring help finally became leverage instead of another problem.