How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Virtual Assistant?
Let’s face it—running a business can feel like spinning plates. You’ve got leads to follow up with, emails to answer, reports to finish, and somewhere in the middle of it all, How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Virtual Assistant? You’re expected to actually grow the company. It’s a lot. If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking “I need a clone,”—you’re not alone.
The next best thing? A virtual assistant (VA).
Whether you need help with admin tasks, social media, or even bookkeeping, a virtual assistant can be a total game-changer. But before you jump in, let’s answer one of the most frequently asked questions:
How much does it cost to hire a virtual assistant?
Grab a coffee—we’re breaking it all down with real numbers, examples, tips, and insights from the experts at Dev Partners.
First, What Does a Virtual Assistant Actually Do?
A virtual assistant is like having an extra pair of hands—but online. These remote pros can help with anything from managing your inbox to editing videos for your next YouTube campaign.
Some VAs are generalists who juggle multiple admin-related tasks, while others are highly specialized (think recruitment, real estate, or marketing). The beauty of hiring a VA is that you can choose exactly what you need—nothing more, nothing less.
So, How Much Do Virtual Assistants Cost?
Here’s the short version: it depends. But to give you a much clearer picture, we’ve got actual numbers from Dev Partners, one of the top providers of IT staff augmentation and virtual assistant services in the Philippines.
Dev Partners' Virtual Assistant Rate Card
Here’s what you can expect to pay per hour when you hire a VA through Dev Partners:
Not sure what type of VA you need? Contact the Dev Partners team and they'll guide you through the best options for your business.
What Else Affects Virtual Assistant Costs?
Aside from the rate card above, a few key things can still influence how much you’ll pay (or save!):
Location
Where your VA is based makes a big difference. Hiring in the Philippines (like with Dev Partners) is one of the best value-for-money options—great English skills, strong work ethic, and affordable rates.
Compare that to hiring in the US or UK, where the average VA could cost you $25 to $75/hour or more.
Experience & Skill Level
If your VA needs to be highly skilled in something like video editing, email automation, or managing CRM systems, they’ll naturally be priced higher than someone helping with data entry.
This is why Dev Partners’ specialized VAs range from $8–$12/hour—you’re getting skilled pros without the cost of full-time, local hires.
Commitment (Hourly, Part-Time, Full-Time)
Hourly: Perfect for short-term or project-based work.
Part-Time: A great “in-between” if you need ongoing help without a 40-hour commitment.
Full-Time: Best for long-term growth support, and often comes with discounted monthly rates.
Hiring a VA vs. Hiring In-House
Let’s talk numbers. Here’s a quick side-by-side:
If you’re a startup or growing business, these numbers speak for themselves. With virtual staff augmentation, you get flexibility, scalability, and real-time savings.
What Kind of Tasks Can VAs Handle?
Still wondering if a VA would actually help you? Here's a peek at the kind of magic VAs can work:
General Tasks: Calendar scheduling, inbox cleanup, research
Customer Service: Responding to support tickets or live chat
Marketing Help: Creating and scheduling social media posts, writing emails
Finance Support: Invoicing, light bookkeeping
Creative Work: Editing videos or making Instagram graphics
Recruitment Assistance: Posting job ads, screening candidates
You can even combine several of these under one VA if they’re a good fit!
What’s the ROI of Hiring a Virtual Assistant?
One of the most overlooked (but important!) aspects of hiring a virtual assistant isn’t just about cost—it’s about return on investment (ROI).
At first glance, paying $8–$12 per hour for a VA might feel like “just another expense.” But let’s flip the perspective. What if that investment actually earns you time and money?
Here’s how hiring a VA can directly impact your bottom line:
You’re Buying Back Time
Let’s say you charge clients $100 per hour for consulting, design, or coaching. If you spend 10 hours a week on admin tasks like scheduling or email responses—that’s $1,000 worth of billable time down the drain.
Now imagine hiring a VA at $10/hour to take care of that for you. You spend $100/week and gain back $1,000 in potential revenue. That’s a 10x ROI—not bad, right?
Lower Operational Costs
Hiring a full-time employee involves:
Salaries
Benefits
Work equipment
Office space (even if hybrid)
Onboarding and training time
VAs often come trained, work remotely, and are available part-time or on flexible contracts. This massively cuts down on costs without compromising output.
Growth Without Burnout
Entrepreneurs and startup founders often wear 10 hats—and then wonder why they’re stuck in a growth plateau.
By offloading repeatable, lower-value tasks to a VA, you free up headspace to:
Pitch new clients
Create new products
Plan long-term strategies
Less burnout. More clarity. Better business outcomes.
Bonus Tip: Combine VA Services with Staff Augmentation for Ultimate Flexibility
Here’s a little secret: VAs and technical staff can work side-by-side under the same flexible hiring model.
Need admin help and a part-time web developer? Services like Dev Partners’ staff augmentation allow you to build your dream remote team—including VAs, developers, designers, or marketers—without going through dozens of platforms or managing separate contracts.
It’s a streamlined approach that just works.
Where Should You Hire From?
Sure, there are platforms like Upwork, OnlineJobs.ph, and Fiverr, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed or end up with inconsistent quality.
That’s why many businesses prefer trusted outsourcing providers like Dev Partners—they vet candidates for you, handle onboarding, and provide ongoing support.
Want to see how this works for others? Check out their blog post on IT staff augmentation strategies.
Final Thoughts
So, how much does a virtual assistant cost? The answer is: it depends on what you need—but it’s more affordable (and powerful) than you think.
With rates starting at just $8/hour for general VAs, and even specialized VAs capping around $12/hour, you can grow your business without overextending your budget.
Whether you're a solopreneur just starting out, or an established business looking to scale efficiently virtual assistants offer flexibility, affordability, and serious value.
Ready to find your perfect match? Let’s chat. We’re here to help.