Virtual assistant cost calculator
Reviewed by the VirtualAssist team · Updated 14 November 2026 · Editorial policy
Compare what an in-house assistant costs where you are, using official pay data, with a virtual assistant for the hours you actually need.
In-house: median pay for the role where you are + 7.65% employer FICA. Benefits, leave, equipment and hiring costs are extra.
Assistant pay by city: the data behind the calculator
Median hourly pay, May 2025, from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are the official figures for people employed in each role in that metro area or state.
| Area | Administrative assistant | Receptionist | Bookkeeping clerk |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (national) | $22.86 | $18.27 | $24.36 |
| New York metro area | $24.73 | $21.48 | $29.15 |
| Los Angeles metro area | $25.75 | $20.81 | $28.17 |
| Chicago metro area | $24.25 | $18.30 | $24.73 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth metro area | $22.81 | $17.82 | $24.86 |
| Houston metro area | $22.48 | $17.00 | $23.78 |
| Atlanta metro area | $21.76 | $18.04 | $24.60 |
| Seattle metro area | $28.96 | $22.03 | $29.07 |
| Denver metro area | $23.92 | $21.00 | $27.65 |
| Boston metro area | $28.53 | $21.12 | $29.31 |
| Phoenix metro area | $23.46 | $18.92 | $24.99 |
| Miami metro area | $22.81 | $18.06 | $24.18 |
| San Francisco Bay Area (SF–Oakland) | $29.86 | $23.77 | $31.51 |
| Austin metro area | $23.30 | $17.64 | $26.12 |
| Philadelphia metro area | $23.49 | $18.29 | $25.34 |
| San Diego metro area | $26.62 | $21.34 | $28.16 |
| Washington, DC metro area | $25.80 | $19.83 | $28.51 |
| California | $26.64 | $21.20 | $28.48 |
| Texas | $21.70 | $16.93 | $23.52 |
| Florida | $22.07 | $17.70 | $23.72 |
How to read the result
The in-house figure is the floor, not the full cost: it leaves out health insurance, paid leave, state unemployment insurance, equipment and recruiting. The biggest difference usually isn't the hourly rate but the hours. If the work needs 15 hours a week, an in-house hire is often a 40-hour salary; a virtual assistant is billed for the 15.
For a city-by-city view, see Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Chicago and virtual assistant cost.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (SOC 43-6014, 43-4171, 43-3031). VA ranges are typical market planning ranges, not a quote.
Get a free quote
Tell us what you need in under a minute. We reply within 1 business day with options and a quote. No obligation.
Prefer email? support@virtualassist.com
Questions
How much does a virtual assistant cost per month?
It's hours × hourly rate. At 10 hours a week, typical planning ranges run from a few hundred dollars a month for offshore assistants to well over a thousand for US-based ones. Use the calculator for your hours and location.
Is a virtual assistant cheaper than hiring in-house?
Usually, when you need fewer than 40 hours a week: you pay only for hours used, with no payroll taxes, benefits, equipment or office costs. For a full-time role the gap narrows and depends on where your assistant is based.
Where do the in-house figures come from?
US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, median hourly pay for the role in your metro area or state, plus the employer's 7.65% Social Security and Medicare.
Why isn't this a quote?
VA rates depend on skills, experience and service model. The ranges are typical market rates to help you plan; a quote is based on your actual tasks and hours.