How much does a virtual assistant cost? Pricing varies more than most buyers expect. The cheapest hourly rate isn’t always the best value. Here’s what actually drives the cost, and what you’re paying for at each price point.
The Flat-Rate Model
Some VA companies advertise a single flat hourly rate, commonly in the $9 to $10 range, regardless of the task. This model is simple and predictable. But it usually applies the same rate whether the VA is scheduling appointments or handling more specialized work, which often means the pool of assistants is trained to one general skill level.
How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost With Tailored Pricing?
Other companies, including Go Hire Virtual, use a tiered structure. A General VA tier costs $12/hour for administrative, scheduling, and customer support work. A Professional VA tier costs $14/hour for marketing, technical, or specialized healthcare administrative support. The higher tier reflects deeper training in a specific discipline, not just a generalist handling every task.
Go Hire Virtual Pricing at a Glance
Here is how our pricing breaks down for a dedicated, full-time virtual assistant. Full plan details are on our virtual assistant pricing page.
| Plan | Setup / onboarding fee | Credit back | Cancellation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month to month | $500 | None | 30-day notice |
| 3-month agreement | $500 | $250 credited on first billing cycle | 30-day notice after 3 months |
| 6-month agreement | $500 | $500 credited on first billing cycle | 30-day notice after 6 months |
| 12-month agreement | $500 | $960 credited on third billing cycle | 30-day notice after 12 months |
All plans are billed every two weeks, paid in advance. Hourly rates start at $12/hour for a General VA and $14/hour for a Professional VA.
How Much Does a Full-Time Virtual Assistant Cost per Month?
A full-time schedule of 40 hours a week works out to roughly 173 hours a month. At those rates, a full-time virtual assistant costs about:
- General VA at $12/hour: about $2,080 per month
- Professional VA at $14/hour: about $2,430 per month
Those are estimates for planning. Your actual invoice depends on the hours your VA works each billing cycle. For a side-by-side look at what a local hire costs once you add payroll taxes, benefits and equipment, read our breakdown of virtual assistant vs. in-house hire cost and ROI.
What Drives the Price Difference
Three factors explain why rates vary between providers. The depth of the vetting and screening process matters. The specificity of training matters, since general admin differs from specialized fields like medical billing. And whether you get a dedicated assistant versus a shared, rotating pool matters too.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Some providers advertise a low headline rate but add setup fees, minimum contract terms, or extra charges for switching assistants. When comparing providers, ask about contract length, cancellation terms, and whether the rate is truly all-inclusive.
How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost When You Factor in Value?
If your needs are purely administrative, a lower flat rate may be enough. If you need marketing execution, technical support, or specialized healthcare administrative work done right the first time, the higher tiered rate usually pays for itself in fewer errors and less rework.
A Note for Medical and Specialty Practices
Healthcare practices should weigh cost against training depth. Administrative errors in scheduling, insurance verification, or documentation cost more than in a typical business context. That is why many practices choose a tiered provider over the cheapest flat-rate option. For general wage benchmarks, see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Before You Compare Quotes
Price is only one part of the decision. Ask every provider the same questions about vetting, training, replacement guarantees and contract terms. Our list of 10 questions to ask before hiring a virtual assistant company is a good place to start. If you run a medical practice, see how our medical virtual assistants are trained for scheduling, insurance verification and billing support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a full-time virtual assistant cost per month?
At Go Hire Virtual, a full-time General VA at $12/hour costs about $2,080 a month, and a Professional VA at $14/hour costs about $2,430 a month, based on roughly 173 working hours.
Is a higher hourly rate always better?
Not automatically. It depends on whether the task needs specialized skill. For basic admin work, a lower general rate is often enough.
Are there setup fees or contracts with tiered pricing?
This varies by provider. Always confirm total costs, including onboarding or minimum-commitment terms, before signing on. At Go Hire Virtual, every plan has a $500 setup and onboarding fee. The 3, 6 and 12-month agreements credit back part or all of that fee, and month-to-month plans need only 30 days’ notice to cancel.
Can I mix General VA and Professional VA support?
Yes. Many businesses use a General VA for day-to-day admin and a Professional VA for specialized tasks like marketing or healthcare documentation.
Ready to see what a virtual assistant would cost for your business? Compare plans on our pricing page or book a free consultation.
