How much does a virtual assistant cost? At MyRemoteVA, $5.62 to $12 per hour. A full-time dedicated VA is $899 a month, a part-time VA is $500, hourly blocks start at $33 for 3 hours, and you can try it for a $1 platform fee.
How much does a virtual assistant cost in 2026? Virtual assistant pricing is one of the most-searched questions in this industry, and quotes vary a lot. Here are our real numbers, so you can compare like for like.
How much does a virtual assistant cost: the short answer
A managed virtual assistant costs $5.62 to $12 per hour at MyRemoteVA. The lowest rate is $5.62/hr on a full-time dedicated VA ($899 for 160 hours a month). The most flexible option is pay-as-you-go at $12/hr, with no expiry. You can also test the service for a $1 monthly platform fee. See the full plan breakdown.
Forever Free (new registrations only): 1 hour a month for a $1 platform fee. Every plan includes rollover hours, a team lead review and the client portal.
Virtual assistant cost per hour: what drives the rate
Two things set your rate: how many hours you commit to, and for how long. Small monthly blocks cost more per hour. Quarterly plans cost less because you commit for three months. A dedicated VA costs the least, because the hours are steady and predictable. Pay-as-you-go costs the most per hour, but you only buy what you need and the hours never expire.
Why it's cheaper than you'd expect
Every VA is AI-augmented. They use AI tools for research, drafting and data entry. A human team lead then reviews the work before you get it. That speed is what makes a dedicated executive assistant or bookkeeping VA possible from $5.62/hr.
Budgeting your first month
New here? Start with Forever Free for $1 (new registrations only) to test one real task. Then pick a 3, 6 or 12-hour block while you learn your real workload. Once you know it, switch to a quarterly plan or a dedicated VA for the best rate. Even a full-time VA at $899/month is far below the cost of a part-time in-house hire. See the full cost comparison.
Unused hours roll over
Some VA services reset your hours every month. Here, every unused hour carries forward on every plan, including Forever Free. Nothing you paid for goes to waste.
Is a "cheap virtual assistant" actually cheaper?
Not always. A cheap virtual assistant advertised at $3–4/hr on a freelance marketplace often comes with no oversight, inconsistent quality, and hidden platform fees added at checkout. Compare the real virtual assistant cost per hour after fees, not just the sticker rate, before assuming the cheapest listed price is the cheapest outcome.
Ready to see real numbers for your workload? Start for $1.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a virtual assistant per hour?
Rates vary widely between freelance marketplaces, agencies and local hires, so get quotes to compare. Managed remote services like MyRemoteVA run $5.62 to $12 an hour.
Is there a free virtual assistant plan?
MyRemoteVA's Forever Free plan gives new registrations 1 hour every month for a $1 platform fee. Unused hours roll over.
Do unused virtual assistant hours expire?
Not at MyRemoteVA. Unused hours roll over on every plan, and pay-as-you-go hours never expire.
What is doing this yourself costing you?
Doing it yourself: $2,165 a month of your time.
The same hours at our $12/hr pay-as-you-go rate: $520. Dedicated plans start at $5.62/hr.
Simple maths from the numbers you enter. It assumes a VA can take on those hours.
Start for $1Written by the MyRemoteVA team. Search-trend figures come from Google Trends. Prices shown are our current plans. Last updated September 25, 2026. Questions or corrections? Contact us.
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