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About virtual assistant rates
Virtual assistants usually bill closer to their working hours than other freelancers, which makes it easy to underprice. This calculator shows the minimum rate that still covers taxes, tools and unpaid days.
Consider retainer packages with a fixed number of hours per month; they give steadier income than ad-hoc hours.
Expenses to include
- Internet with a backup connection and power backup
- Project, scheduling and communication tool subscriptions
- A computer, headset and a quiet workspace
- Software clients expect you to have, such as office suites
- Invoicing and time-tracking tools
Add these up for a full year and enter the total in "Yearly expenses".
How the rate is calculated
- Revenue needed = take-home ÷ (1 − tax rate) + expenses
- Billable hours per year = hours per week × (52 − weeks off)
- Hourly rate = revenue needed ÷ billable hours per year
This is a planning estimate, not tax advice. Tax rules differ by country, so check with a local accountant for exact figures.
Frequently asked questions
How should a virtual assistant set an hourly rate?
Add your yearly costs to the income you want to keep, then divide by the hours you can bill after allowing for onboarding, admin and time off. The result is the minimum you should charge before any discounts.
Should a virtual assistant charge hourly or per project?
Hourly rates and monthly retainers both work. Retainers give predictable income, while hourly suits unpredictable tasks. Calculate your minimum hourly rate first, then multiply it by the retainer hours.
How many hours per week can a virtual assistant realistically bill?
Because the work is task-based you may bill around 25 to 32 hours a week, but leave room for finding clients, onboarding and time off. Start with 30 and adjust it using your own time records.