How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Earn?
Looking to hire a virtual assistant or considering becoming one? Understanding the earning potential of virtual assistants (VAs) is crucial for both employers and aspiring professionals. VAs have become an integral part of businesses, offering flexibility and expertise while saving costs. But how much does a virtual assistant earn? And what factors influence their rates?
Whether you're a business owner or someone looking to become a virtual assistant to earn money online, this blog will provide all the essential insights.
Why Understanding Virtual Assistant Rates is Crucial
Businesses are increasingly hiring virtual assistants in the UK to help streamline their operations. From administrative support to specialised tasks like email inbox clean up, social media management and SEO, VAs offer a cost-effective way to increase productivity without the need for full-time staff.
Knowing these details ensures businesses pay fair rates for the services they need and helps VAs confidently set competitive pricing.
Key Factors Influencing VA Rates
When understanding a virtual assistant salary, there are a number of factors to consider such as where you’re based and your experience level.
Experience and Skill Level of VAs
One of the primary factors affecting VA rates is experience and skill level. This can have an impact on virtual assistant salary per hour. Here’s a quick breakdown of rates in the UK based on these levels:
Entry-level VAs (Basic tasks like organising schedules and responding to emails): £10–£15/hour.
Mid-level VAs (Skills such as content creation and social media management): £15–£25/hour.
Expert-level VAs (Specialisations like project management, technical support, or SEO): £25–£50/hour or more.
If you have strong experience as a VA, it should be reflected in your CV. Make sure to use a VA-specific CV template to highlight your skills, experience, and justify your hourly rate.
Nature of the Job and VA Specialisation
The type of tasks assigned also impacts pricing. For example, administrative tasks like data entry generally cost less compared to specialised roles.
Freelance vs. Agency VAs
Hiring freelance VAs tends to cost less because they have lower overheads. On the other hand, working with an agency often means higher rates but comes with added benefits like access to a broader skill set and professional team support.
Location and Cost of Living in the UK
Location plays an interesting role, even in remote work. VAs living in higher-cost areas may charge more to meet their living expenses. For example, a virtual assistant salary in the UK can be significantly different to a virtual assistant salary in the Philippines. Additionally, the virtual assistant salary in London is likely to be higher than other locations in the UK.
Popular Virtual Assistant Pricing Structures
Income can vary depending on whether you’re looking at virtual assistant salary per hour, or virtual assistant salary per month. Breaking down the average salary for a virtual assistant in these different structure can be helpful when figuring out how much a virtual assistant can earn.
Hourly Rates for VAs
Hourly rates are a common pricing structure among UK VAs.
Typical Rates:
Entry-level: £10–£15/hour.
Mid-level: £15–£25/hour.
Expert-level: £25–£50/hour or more.
Pros:
Transparency for clients.
Easy to track time.
Cons:
Limited earning potential for VAs.
May not incentivise efficiency.
Project-Based Rates for VAs
For specific tasks like designing a website or running an email marketing campaign, VAs often use project-based pricing.
Benefits:
Predictable costs for clients.
Higher earning potential for VAs by focusing on value rather than time spent.
Examples:
Email marketing campaign setup – £200–£500.
Website management – £250–£1000, depending on complexity.
Retainers for Virtual Assistants
Retainers are great for ongoing work. Clients pay in advance to reserve a set number of hours per month.
Advantages:
Predictable income for VAs.
Guarantees availability for clients.
Common Rates:
Retainer pricing typically aligns with hourly rates but is billed monthly. For example, 10 hours at £25/hour would cost £250/month.
Setting Your Virtual Assistant Rates
If you want to earn money as a virtual assistant, then you need to make sure to set your own rates properly.
Understanding Your Value as a Virtual Assistant
VAs need to price their services based on their expertise and the value they bring to clients. Specialised services warrant higher rates than general admin tasks.
How to Avoid Undervaluing Your Time
Many VAs fall into the trap of undercharging when starting out. However, this can make your business unsustainable in the long run. Competing solely on price often leads to burnout, meaning this is crucial when figuring out how to earn money as a virtual assistant.
Adjusting Rates Based on Experience and Expertise
It’s essential to increase your rates as you gain experience or add specialisations, so you don’t remain at an entry-level virtual assistant salary. Taking courses can help you learn how to become a virtual assistant to earn money online, and help you raise your rates.
Other Costs to Consider When Setting VA Rates
Additional costs must also be taken into consideration when you’re looking to become a virtual assistant and earn money.
Business Expenses for Virtual Assistants
Unlike traditional employees, VAs are responsible for covering their own expenses. Such costs should be factored into your rates. This is crucial when looking at a freelance or remote virtual assistant salary.
Adding a Percentage to Cover Tax and Business Costs
VAs should aim to add 25–30% to their base rates to account for taxes, insurance, and other overhead costs.
Practical Strategies for Setting and Communicating Your Rates
When setting your virtual assistant job salary, there are some practical steps to take to make the process easier.
Provide a Pricing Range and Discuss Specifics with Clients
Offering pricing range (e.g., £20–£30/hour) and changing the rate based on the specific tasks and workload makes for a solid starting point.
The Importance of Clear Communication
Creating a detailed contract ensures both parties are on the same page and avoids conflicts.
Avoid Giving Away Free Time or Discounting Your Rates
While it may be tempting to offer free services or significant discounts, doing so diminishes your value as a virtual assistant.
Cost of Hiring a VA vs Hiring a Member of Staff
For businesses, hiring a VA is often more cost-effective than employing a full-time staff member. Consider the following:
Full-time employee: A full-time employee earning £35,000 annually may cost the business an additional £10,000–£15,000 per year due to benefits, taxes, office space, and equipment expenditures. This brings the total cost to approximately £45,000–£50,000 annually.
Virtual assistant: A virtual assistant charging £20–£30 per hour and working 20 hours per week would cost a business between £20,800 and £31,200 annually. Since VAs are independent contractors, there are no added costs for benefits or office space.
What Employers Should Expect to Pay for VA Services
If you’re an employer looking to hire a virtual assistant, matching the average virtual assistant salary in the UK is important in finding employees with skills that match your needs.
Average Salary for UK Virtual Assistants
Employers should budget around the following rates for UK-based VAs, depending on their skill set and experience level:
Entry-level: £10–£15/hour.
Mid-level: £15–£25/hour.
Expert-level: £25–£50/hour.
What You Get for Your Money
A skilled VA can transform your business by taking over repetitive tasks, boosting productivity, and even saving costs compared to a full-time hire.
Become A Virtual Assistant To Earn Money Online
Virtual assistants provide endless possibilities for businesses of all sizes. By understanding key factors like pricing structures and the value of specialised skills, and the average virtual assistant salary in the UK you can confidently set your own VA rates or hire the right professional for your needs.
- Zoubir from SEO Baguette
