Insights
How much does a virtual assistant cost, and what do you get for the price?
If you are a founder thinking about hiring help, the first question is almost always the price. It is a fair question, and it deserves a straight answer rather than a vague “it depends.”
The short version is that managed virtual assistants at Oxpier start from $11 an hour. The longer version is about what sits inside that number, what moves your monthly total up or down, and how to avoid paying for hours you do not need.
How much does a virtual assistant cost per hour?
Virtual assistant rates vary widely across the market. They typically depend on the skills the role needs, the assistant’s experience, how the assistant is sourced, and how much support sits around them.
At Oxpier, managed virtual assistants start from $11 per hour. We say “from” because the right rate depends on the role you need filled, and we talk that through on the discovery call before anyone is introduced to you.
You pay for the hours worked, not a share of your revenue. That means the hourly cost does not rise just because your business is doing well.
What is included in a managed virtual assistant rate?
With a managed service, the hourly rate covers more than the person at the keyboard. That is the real difference between a managed assistant and a name pulled from a freelance marketplace.
Here is what sits inside the rate:
- Discovery and role planning, before any candidate is introduced
- A carefully matched professional, chosen for long-term fit over speed
- Structured onboarding, with clear expectations from day one
- Ongoing management after placement, so you are not left managing everything alone
- A free 10-day Confidence Trial at the start
How does that compare with hiring in-house or using an agency?
An employee costs more than their wage. Payroll taxes, benefits, equipment, software, recruiting time and management time all sit on top of the hourly figure, and you carry them whether the week is busy or quiet.
In-house hires and agencies usually cost more per productive hour than a managed virtual assistant, especially for part-time work that does not justify a full-time seat.
Some providers also price by revenue share instead of by the hour. That can look cheap at first and then grow as your business grows. Hourly pricing keeps the number predictable, so you can plan around it. You can see how it all fits together on our virtual assistant staffing page.
What changes the total you pay each month?
Because you pay by the hour, your monthly total comes down to a few simple things.
As plain arithmetic, 20 hours in a month at $11 an hour comes to $220. Your actual rate depends on the role, but the math stays the same: hours multiplied by your hourly rate.
- Hours: how many hours a week you want covered
- Role: a general administrative role and a specialist role, such as a medical virtual assistant, can be priced differently
- Scope: the more complex your tools and tasks, the more careful the setup in the first weeks
Is there a contract, and can I try before I commit?
There is no long-term contract. You pay as you go, so you are never locked in if your needs change.
Every engagement also begins with a free 10-day Confidence Trial. It exists so you can experience how the assistant works with you and build confidence before making a longer-term hiring decision.
How many hours do you actually need?
Many founders try to hand over everything in week one, then feel overwhelmed. Starting with a defined block of recurring work is usually easier, and you can add more as trust builds.
A quick way to size it:
- Write down the tasks you repeat every week
- Mark the ones that do not need your personal judgment
- Add up roughly how long they take
- Start with those hours, then adjust
How fast can you get started?
Most engagements start within 1 to 3 business days of the discovery call, depending on your business, once we have matched you with the right professional.
The call is where we talk through your workload, the role and the hours. If you have never worked with a virtual assistant, we guide you through what to delegate first. You can send us a message to set it up, and we will tell you honestly whether a virtual assistant is the right fit.
Key takeaways
- Managed virtual assistants start from $11 per hour, and you pay only for hours worked.
- The rate includes discovery, matching, onboarding and ongoing management.
- There is no long-term contract, and every engagement starts with a free 10-day Confidence Trial.
- Hourly pricing stays predictable as your revenue grows.
- Start with a small block of recurring tasks, then add hours as trust builds.
Frequently asked questions
Is $11 an hour the final price?
Eleven dollars an hour is the starting rate for a managed virtual assistant. The exact rate depends on the role, which we confirm on your discovery call before any candidate is introduced. The rate includes discovery, matching, onboarding and ongoing management, so those are not billed as separate extras.
Do I need to sign a long-term contract?
No. Oxpier virtual assistants are pay as you go with no long-term contract, so you are never locked in. Every engagement also begins with a free 10-day Confidence Trial, which lets you see how the working relationship feels before you commit to anything longer.
Why not just hire a freelancer for less?
A freelancer may cost less on paper, but you usually handle the search, vetting, training and day-to-day management yourself. A managed virtual assistant includes discovery, a careful match, structured onboarding and ongoing management, which protects the resource most founders have least of, their own time.
How quickly can a virtual assistant start?
Most engagements begin within 1 to 3 business days of your discovery call, depending on your business, once we have matched you with the right professional. The call itself is where we plan the role, so there is no lengthy setup before work can begin.
Book a short discovery call and we will talk through the role, the hours and the cost for your business.