Virtual Assistants - What's The Going Rate?

36 replies
Hi Everyone,

I posted this yesterday and it got deleted before I could read the replies.

This does seem to be the correct forum so I'm not exactly sure why this was done?

I'm looking to hire a virtual assistant to deal with some admin tasks for me, I don't mind where they're from as long as they can read and write with perfect English.

Can anyone tell me what sort of price I should be looking to pay (per hour)?

Many thanks,

Sam
#assistants #rate #virtual
  • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
    Depends what you want done, you can get em as cheap as $3 an hour
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  • Profile picture of the author Apollo-Articles
    I need admin support so sending and forwarding emails .

    Sam
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  • Profile picture of the author enderZ
    The sky is the limit, when looking for low prices

    It can be less than a dolar/hour, it all depends how hard you are searching. You can take a look at my sig for some advance methods (although it talks about writers you can use it for any VA task).
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  • Profile picture of the author Apollo-Articles
    Thanks,

    But I'm not looking for writers !

    Under $1 an hour does seem a little like exploitation to me, I just want to know what's a fair wage?

    Sam
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    • Profile picture of the author enderZ
      Originally Posted by Apollo-Articles View Post

      Thanks,

      But I'm not looking for writers !

      Under $1 an hour does seem a little like exploitation to me, I just want to know what's a fair wage?

      Sam
      Told ya, its demonstrated on writers but will work the same for all other professions.

      Originally Posted by Apollo-Articles View Post

      a fair wage?
      Who decides what's the fair wage?

      You? Than pay as much as you like.

      Your country standards? Then pay what it is costumed to pay where you live

      The worker? Then some will be more than happy to be paid less than 1$, but maybe they don't understand the place and the economy they live in...
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      If you have a WHY you can go through almost any HOW

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    • Profile picture of the author ray777
      Originally Posted by Apollo-Articles View Post

      Thanks,

      But I'm not looking for writers !

      Under $1 an hour does seem a little like exploitation to me, I just want to know what's a fair wage?

      Sam
      In the Philippines there are many who work for $4 or $5 a day in their job. I know I have been there many times. So $1 an hour is not exploitation. For many it would be an increase.
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  • Profile picture of the author matt5409
    I watched a video with Krizia from mybeautymatch.com a few weeks ago and she says her VC in the Philippines works at $2/hour. She also says the VC does an awesome job, I'm thinking of looking into it myself.
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  • Profile picture of the author Claire Sharp
    $2/hour is fair enough for a Virtual Assistant. I have good VA's i can recommend if you like.
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    • Profile picture of the author nandi
      Originally Posted by Claire Sharp View Post

      $2/hour is fair enough for a Virtual Assistant. I have good VA's i can recommend if you like.
      Hi Claire am looking for one too can you recommend??
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  • Profile picture of the author Uncle Dimitry
    they pretend they work, we pretend we pay them...
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  • Profile picture of the author TryBPO
    This is just my opinion:

    In the Philippines, a fair wage for an average, independent VA in Manila/Cebu is $220-$300 per month. Do expect that they'll be working for you but, possibly, someone else full-time as well. In the provinces you can find someone to work for closer to $150-$200 direct and that would be considered reasonable.
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  • Profile picture of the author martymc74
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Ryback
      Post your job on oDesk and you will get a lot of responses. The lowest applicant I ever got was at 60 cents but most of them are around the $2 to $5 range.
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  • Profile picture of the author Audrey Harvey
    I've worked with a lovely American VA on fiverr and she charges $5 an hour.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Grant
    I don't think that most people realize that $1/hr to an Indian with a BA is a fair price. It's not great, but it's fair for them. $2/hr is very good pay.

    The reason most people don't realize this is because most people don't know how to find VAs that haven't been spoiled by the Westerners' pay scale. If you start looking through avenues less traveled, you'd be surprised the quality you can receive for $1/hr.
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  • Profile picture of the author Keen creations
    The way I think about it..In the US most people get paid like $7 p/h which is min. wage. I doubt you can afford $7 cause your not running a huge buisness so I would go about half of that. $3.50
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    • Profile picture of the author Enfusia
      If you know where to look $2 ph is a really nice wage. Finding one that's competent in English is a challenge.

      Patrick
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  • Profile picture of the author Marc Lindsay
    Findyourself an A player and pay them more, you will be thankful you did.

    Be fair but firm, encourage growth and learning , recognize brilliance and pay accordingly

    When you find your first true A player it will change your business.

    Marc
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  • Profile picture of the author christina ward
    I think it depends on where they are from, what they have to do for you, and what you are willing to pay.

    Thanks
    Christina
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr Kevin
    I think it got deleted because you are suppose to post it in the warrior for hire section? Excuse a newbie if they are wrong though..lol
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    • Profile picture of the author Chris Thompson
      I haven't hired anyone to do email support yet, but I do hire writers with English skills and I understand the value of strong English.

      I hire in the Philippines also.

      I suggest you think about $400 per month for a full time employee who can write in excellent English.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheSEguy
    The cheaper you go the lower the quality will be i guess.

    I would look around for someone with excellent reviews and if there a bit more expensive than others then so be it there will be a reason for the higher price.
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  • Profile picture of the author Presto Smith
    The best range I have found is between $2 - $5 per hour. Typically these VA's will have a good language skill and are able to get the job done. Much less than that and you are dealing with a lower quality service provider. But there are always exceptions to every rule.
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  • Profile picture of the author omk
    I've seen rates as low as three dollars per hour.
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  • Profile picture of the author enderZ
    You can decide that you understand foreing countries economics better than the local people and pay double, triple or x10 times the rates, but for some tasks (such as writing) you can pay 1$ or less and for other (like simple admin and such) even less.
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    • Profile picture of the author ray777
      Originally Posted by enderZ View Post

      You can decide that you understand foreing countries economics better than the local people and pay double, triple or x10 times the rates, but for some tasks (such as writing) you can pay 1$ or less and for other (like simple admin and such) even less.
      I think most do not understand. In the Philippines college educated people can not find a job in their chosen field and end up working in a dept store for $5 per day. That is $5 per day not per hour. If they can even find that job. There are many that can not even find any job because they do not exist.

      So if someone came along and offered them $10 per day they would be excited as it would be a 100% pay increase. Pay them $2 per hour or $16 per day and it would be a 200% pay increase.
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  • Profile picture of the author acruz
    Usually it's $250-300 per month wherein it's 40hrs a week.
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    • Profile picture of the author MarkPavic
      In the Philippines you can get a great VA for around USD$300..if they are good, you don't really want to lose them as it can take some time to find a new loyal employee. Don't be too cheap..these people have families to support..just my two cents!
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  • Profile picture of the author Coach Louisa
    Pay for the value they bring you - should it matter where they are from?

    Cheapest is not always the best option, you want to have quality as well as keep them motivated
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  • Profile picture of the author David Hooper
    Originally Posted by Apollo-Articles View Post

    I'm looking to hire a virtual assistant to deal with some admin tasks for me, I don't mind where they're from as long as they can read and write with perfect English.
    What do you mean by admin tasks? If you can post some specifics, I can refer you to somebody good.
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  • Profile picture of the author GetMoreTraffic
    For admin tasks, you should be able to get someone good and reliable for less than $80 a week...and in places like the Philippines and India, they will be delighted to have the job.
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  • Profile picture of the author Coby
    My VA is from India and I pay her $85 a week and she works 6 hours a day 6 days a week.

    I would say 250-450 per month would be the range you should be looking at.
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  • Profile picture of the author Apollo-Articles
    Thanks for all the replies.

    Seems the going rate is: $2 - $5 per hour

    Sam
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  • Profile picture of the author ColleenHale
    You'll see a lot of available service providers for around $5 per hour on Elance. Or you have the option of paying them a flat rate. I'm constantly outbid on projects (even long term projects) because someone is willing to do a lot of work for $50.
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  • Profile picture of the author aussietanker
    can anyone please tell me, where is the best place to find these VA? Please PM me if you do not wish to post the details on here

    thanks
    A|T
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  • Profile picture of the author michaeldoring
    I have 1 permanent VA, I pay $2 an hour and give bonuses. It seems like exploitation, and I was against it until I learnt that $2 in the Philippines is like $20 in Australia. In addition, my VA has been able to buy laptops, food, all sorts of crazy stuff with her salary. So as much as the economic exploitation component of outsourcing initially put me off, I found out that I was actually helping her financially, big time.

    The task you explain, about email forwarding etc is very low-skilled, I would say $0.50 to $1 an hr on oDesk, but if you are crazy generous and can afford it, pay them a standard US wage, or provide bonuses for good work.

    Goodluck hiring your VA, if need help let me know. I went through the process, it was daunting at first.
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