How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?

How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?

How much does a Virtual Assistant cost is one of the first questions founders and CEOs ask when they start looking at getting support. 

You want to know what you're committing to before you book a call. But the answer varies, so it's worth understanding the figures before you make a decision.

Why VA pricing varies so much

Search "virtual assistant cost UK", and you'll find everything from £20 an hour to £60+. That range exists because "virtual assistant" covers a huge spectrum from someone handling basic admin tasks to an experienced Executive VA (like myself) managing your inbox, diary, projects, and operations while you're running a business.

They're not the same thing, and the price reflects that.

A generalist VA might be perfectly suited to scheduling social posts or data entry, but if you're a CEO or founder who needs someone to anticipate, identify risks and keep priorities moving before they become problems, you need a different level of support. 

Hourly rates vs retainers

Most VAs charge one of two ways: hourly or on a monthly retainer.

Hourly works if your needs are occasional. You pay for what you use. But it can create an on/off dynamic; your VA isn't embedded in your world, they're dipping in and out. That limits how proactive they can be.

Retainers work better when you want someone who knows your business, your preferences, and your priorities. A fixed number of hours each month means your VA or Executive VA is invested in the outcome. That's where the value kicks in.

For most of the CEOs and founders I work with, a retainer model is the right fit. It gives them consistency and continuity, as they need someone they can trust to think ahead and keep the business moving when their attention is needed elsewhere.

The Virtual Assistant you're looking for

When you hire an Executive VA, you're not paying for someone to just send emails. You're paying for someone who:

• Manages your diary so you're never double-booked or overstretched

• Handles your inbox so nothing slips and you only see what matters

• Coordinates your team, contractors, and clients so you don't have to chase

• Prepares you for meetings so you walk in ready

• Spots problems before they reach you

  
  

That's operational support. It has a direct impact on how you spend your time and what your business can achieve.

The question isn't "how much does a VA cost?" It's "how much is your time worth, and what's it costing you to keep doing this yourself?"

Look at the figures.

If your time is worth £300 an hour and you're spending 10 hours a week on things that could be delegated, that's £3,000 of your time every week.

What affects the price

A few things influence where a VA's rate sits:

Experience level. Someone with 10+ years supporting C-suite executives commands a higher rate than someone starting. You're paying for judgment, not just availability.

Scope of support. A VA managing your full operations is different from one handling a single function like data entry.

Specialist knowledge. If your business requires sector-specific understanding - legal, finance, healthcare, tech- expect that to be reflected in the rate.

Team vs solo. Some businesses work with a single VA. Others benefit from a small team with different strengths, available across more hours. That flexibility has a value.

A word on "cheap"

There's a version of this where you pay very little and get very little. A VA who charges £10–£15 an hour is often working across a high volume of clients. They're task-focused by necessity.

They're not building deep knowledge of your business, and they're rarely in a position to be proactive.

That's not a criticism, it's just a different service. The issue comes when business owners expect Executive-level support at entry-level prices. That mismatch tends to end in frustration on both sides.

Good support costs money. The right support saves you more than it costs.

Your diary. Your inbox. Your operations. They should be handled.

Just not by you.

So, what should you expect to pay?

For a skilled, experienced Executive VA in the UK, you're typically looking at anywhere from £30 - £60+ per hour, depending on the factors above. Retainer packages, which offer better value and better results, usually start from a minimum number of hours per month, often around 20.

The best way to understand what you need and what it would cost is to have a conversation about your business.

If you're at the point where you're researching this, there's a good chance you already know you need support. 

Book a discovery call with Lorraine - no obligation. Just a conversation to work out whether we're the right fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Executives VA Support

What's the difference between a virtual assistant and an Executive VA?

A virtual assistant typically handles task-based, administrative work - think data entry and basic scheduling.

An Executive VA operates at a much higher level. They support senior leaders and business owners with diary and inbox management, project coordination, client liaison, and operational oversight. 

The difference is experience and judgement. An Executive VA anticipates what you need before you ask. They manage complexity, protect your time, and work as a extension of you and your business.

Is it better to pay a VA hourly or on a retainer?

For most CEOs and founders, a retainer gives better results. Hourly arrangements can work for occasional, one-off tasks, but they don't build the depth of knowledge your business needs. 

A retainer means your VA or EVA is consistent, committed, and invested in understanding how you work. Over time, that context is what makes the difference between someone completing tasks and someone running things for you.

How do I know if I'm ready for Executive VA support?

If you're spending significant time on things that don't require you specifically, managing your own diary, chasing emails, coordinating meetings, and handling operations, you're ready. 

The clearest sign is when the work you should be doing keeps getting pushed aside by the work that just keeps coming. 

Executive VA support exists to give that time back. By making sure the right things land on your desk and everything else is handled.

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