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If you’re like most business owners in 2025, you’ve probably asked yourself this question: “How much does it actually cost to hire a virtual assistant?” The demand for virtual assistant services is growing rapidly, and the importance of virtual assistants continues to rise as a key trend for businesses seeking efficiency and flexibility.
The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Virtual assistant pricing and virtual assistant rates vary widely depending on the type of service, location, and engagement model. Some business owners are paying premium rates for U.S.-based professionals who handle high-level tasks, while others rely on offshore assistants for a fraction of the price, and both approaches can work, depending on the need.
To make sense of the numbers, let’s walk through what you can expect to pay today, starting with U.S.-based assistants (via Berry Virtual) and then looking at offshore options. Many virtual assistants are available globally, offering a diverse range of services and flexible pricing options to suit different business needs.
The Cost of a U.S.-Based Assistant: Berry Virtual’s Approach
Imagine you’re a CEO who needs an assistant in your own time zone, someone who can handle your email inbox in real time, schedule meetings with U.S.-based clients, and even help with industry-specific work like healthcare documentation or legal admin. U.S.-based assistants can also provide project management, strategic support, and utilize project management platforms for seamless collaboration.
That’s where Berry Virtual’s U.S.-based assistants come in. They’re not freelancers you find online; they’re vetted professionals who understand compliance, industry standards, and the fast pace of American businesses. You receive personalized oversight and ongoing support with dedicated account management and dedicated account managers.
- On average, you’ll pay $28–$45 an hour. These rates apply to both full-time and part-time virtual assistants, and the virtual assistant's level of experience can influence the rate.
- A full-time commitment (160 hours per month) runs about $4,500–$7,200.
- Part-time packages are more flexible, often $1,400–$2,400 for 40–60 hours.
Typical tasks include administrative support, administrative tasks, calendar management, scheduling appointments, managing emails, organizing files, and more.
For many business owners, this investment makes sense. You’re not just paying for admin support, you’re paying for peace of mind, U.S. cultural alignment, and specialized knowledge. U.S.-based assistants can also help reduce overhead costs by providing comprehensive support remotely.
See how Berry Virtual pairs businesses with U.S.-based assistants.
The Offshore Option: Lower Costs, Broader Reach
Now let’s flip the script. Picture a startup founder who needs research done, spreadsheets updated, and social media posts scheduled, but doesn’t have the budget for U.S. rates.
Offshore assistants, located in regions like the Philippines, India, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, step in here. Offshore virtual assistants, including highly regarded Filipino virtual assistants, are part of the global talent pool that businesses can access to hire virtual assistants with diverse skills and backgrounds. Their skill sets are strong, covering data entry, specialized tasks, specialized skills, complex tasks, social media management, content creation, web development, and other specialized services, but the pricing is dramatically different. Virtual assistant agencies and service providers in these offshore markets offer a range of options for businesses looking to hire virtual assistants, with virtual assistants based in different countries providing a wide variety of services and pricing structures.
- Hourly rates often fall between $6–$18 per hour, depending on whether you choose less experienced virtual assistants, entry level VAs, or more experienced virtual assistants with advanced expertise.
- A full-time assistant may cost just $950–$2,800 per month.
- Even part-time packages can be as low as $500–$1,100 for 40–60 hours.
This option is attractive for cost-conscious businesses that need reliable help but don’t require time zone alignment or compliance-heavy expertise. Hiring virtual assistants offshore can lead to significant cost savings and improved cost efficiency compared to hiring locally. Paying virtual assistants is also flexible, with options like direct bank transfer, PayPal, or other payment platforms.
Learn how offshore assistants help businesses cut overhead.
What Drives the Price Difference?
Several key factors influence virtual assistant costs, including geographical location, skill level, the virtual assistant's level, and the various pricing models offered by service providers. So why does a U.S.-based assistant cost three to five times more than an offshore one? It usually comes down to three factors:
- Skill level and specialization: The cost of a virtual assistant often reflects their experience and the scope of the virtual assistant's work. Specialized assistants, such as a HIPAA-trained medical VA or paralegal assistant, and those offering specialized services like marketing or SEO, naturally command higher virtual assistant rates than general admin support. The virtual assistant's level and proven track record also play a significant role in pricing, as experienced virtual assistants can handle more complex tasks efficiently.
- Location and labor costs: Geographical location is a major driver of virtual assistant pricing. U.S. wages and benefits are higher than those in offshore markets, which impacts both virtual assistant rates and the overall cost of a virtual assistant. Virtual assistant costs also depend on language proficiency, cultural compatibility, and availability, all of which are influenced by location.
- Hiring model: The hiring process and model you choose, freelancer, agency, or managed services, affect both consistency and cost. Service providers may offer managed services or a managed service model, which include dedicated management, ongoing training, and support, often at a premium. Project based pricing models and hourly billing are also common, providing flexibility for business owners to select the right virtual assistant based on their needs and budget.
When comparing a virtual assistant to an in house employee, consider the differences in overhead costs. Virtual assistants typically reduce overhead costs such as office space, equipment, and benefits, allowing business owners to focus more on core business activities.
It's important to understand hidden costs and overhead costs, such as software subscriptions or communication tools, when evaluating the total cost of a virtual assistant. Making an informed decision requires considering all key factors, including the virtual assistant's proven track record, experience, and the thoroughness of the hiring process. The right virtual assistant depends on your business needs, and hiring a virtual assistant should be approached strategically to maximize ROI.
Think of it this way: hiring a VA is like choosing between a neighborhood accountant who knows your state laws versus a remote bookkeeper who can handle the basics at a lower cost. Both have their place, it depends on your business priorities.
Berry Virtual U.S. vs Offshore: A Story of Two Businesses
Let’s compare two scenarios.
- Business A is a medical practice that needs HIPAA-compliant support for patient scheduling and billing. They hire a Berry Virtual U.S.-based assistant through a virtual assistant service or agency at about $35 an hour. This US based virtual assistant provides executive support, ensuring compliance and cultural alignment. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s the safest because compliance is non-negotiable.
- Business B is a marketing agency juggling client projects. They don’t need compliance expertise, they need volume: scheduling posts, formatting blogs, managing spreadsheets, and handling social media marketing. They use offshore virtual assistants, either through a virtual assistant agency or as a freelance virtual assistant, and pay around $1,200 a month for 60 hours. These offshore virtual assistants handle specific tasks, complex tasks, and specialized tasks, providing cost-effective support for business leaders. For them, cost savings outweigh the need for real-time support.
When comparing the two, Business A benefits from a full time virtual assistant for ongoing executive support, while Business B may use part time virtual assistants for flexible, project-based work. Virtual assistants based in different regions can be matched to business leaders' needs, whether through virtual assistant agencies or by hiring a freelance virtual assistant.
The variety of a virtual assistant's work, from basic admin to specialized tasks like social media marketing or data analysis, means agencies can help match the right assistant to the right business, ensuring the virtual assistant service aligns with specific requirements.
Both businesses made the right decision, because the “right cost” depends on the role you’re filling.
So, How Much Should You Budget in 2025?
When budgeting for different virtual assistant services, it's important to understand virtual assistant pricing and the factors that influence virtual assistant costs. Here’s a quick snapshot:
These virtual assistant rates reflect typical costs for both full time virtual assistant and part time virtual assistants. Virtual assistant costs can vary significantly depending on whether you hire a virtual assistant based in the US or an offshore virtual assistant based in countries like the Philippines or India. Virtual assistants based in different regions offer a wide range of virtual assistant rates and service models, so it's important to compare options to find the best fit for your needs and budget.
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Finding the Balance That Works for You
The bottom line: there’s no universal answer. A U.S.-based assistant through Berry Virtual is the right move for sensitive, client-facing, or compliance-heavy roles. Offshore assistants are unbeatable for cost savings and bulk administrative work.
Some companies even combine both: one U.S.-based assistant to manage executive-level tasks, paired with offshore support for everything else. This approach to virtual assistance helps streamline operations and enables your team to focus on core business activities that drive growth.
Berry Virtual makes this possible by offering both options, allowing you to scale your team based on your needs and budget.
Are you curious about which option best suits your business? Contact Berry Virtual today for a personalized cost analysis and to discover how much you can save.
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