What is the average hourly rate for VA's in the US? Has this information been published in any official capacity? I would like something solid to base my rates on.

I wouldn't worry about what the average is, because you're better than average...right?

Have you done the rate spreadsheets to see what your rate should be based on your needs? I think that's a better way to go about it instead of just going with a national average.

Also, just so you know, we're not allowed to post our rates here on the forum. It's a no-no.

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Amanda Moore
Virtual Assistant
VagabondetteVA Blog

Hi Erica, there are numerous factors to base your rates on such as your skill level, your experience, etc. etc.

There was a survey done on various industry averages and the results published fairly recently, here's a thread with the info. Hope that helps!

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Thanks Amanda! Here's a link to one of the rate calculators Amanda was referring to.

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Thanks, Tess and Amanda! All of that information is very helpful. I do realize that posting of rates on the forum is not allowed but that's not really what I was looking for. I was looking for an industry average so that I don't charge too little or too much. I want to remain competitive without underselling myself.

I didn't figure you were looking for people to post their rates. I just kind of meant it as a general reminder becuase I've stumbled across threads where people started doing it and the mods have gone in and deleted the numbers.

Charge what you think your services are worth. For some people it will be too much, for others they'll think they're getting a bargain. If you find that no one is blinking when you state your rate, consider bumping it up.

You have to remember that pay rates are different all over the country. So in NYC someone wouldn't bat an eyelash at paying $XX/hour for a VA while in Iowa they'd freak out. So it at least partly depends on where you plan on marketing your services. If you're going to be mostly local, take a look at local wages for a baseline.

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Amanda Moore
Virtual Assistant
VagabondetteVA Blog

Originally Posted by VagabondetteVA

Charge what you think your services are worth. For some people it will be too much, for others they'll think they're getting a bargain. If you find that no one is blinking when you state your rate, consider bumping it up. You have to remember that pay rates are different all over the country. So in NYC someone wouldn't bat an eyelash at paying $XX/hour for a VA while in Iowa they'd freak out. So it at least partly depends on where you plan on marketing your services. If you're going to be mostly local, take a look at local wages for a baseline.

Amanda has some great advice and I wanted to reply in regards to the pay rates all over the country. It is a valid point and something to consider, but in my experience, no matter where you are, there are people that will pay your rates. I live in Iowa where our cost of living is significantly lower than somewhere like NYC and, although I have gotten the "wow, that's a lot of money per hour" awkward silences when discussing rates at local networking events (while explaining that a VA is more cost-effective than an in-house or temporary employee), I also spoke with someone at a networking event a few weeks ago who worked with someone virtually a while back. Come to find out through the course of our conversation, I learned that the person he worked with charged more than what most VAs charge for what is considered by many to be a "basic administrative" service. I agree with Amanda, keep in mind what a fair price would be for your area if you plan to market locally, but be sure you don't undercut yourself either and that's where the rate sheets come in handy. People will see the value you bring to their business and will not hesitate to pay your rates.

Another thing that I've been doing is "peeking" into VA websites to see what most people seem to be charging. This may also help because most VAs seem to put some background/experience on their websites, so you can use that as a helpful guage too. If you're anything like me, you're a bit "humble" with what you are skilled at so, maybe you could "charge what you think you're worth" and bump it up a little

I haven't used the calculator yet, but I intend to. I think I'm a little intimidated by it and afraid that it'll tell me that I need to charge more per hour than what I think I is really feasable...lol

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

When I was researching how much to charge clients, I also did what Stephanie did and peeped into other VA sites, whether it's UK, Ireland or America (I specialized in UK and Ireland). Once I knew what my 'competitors' (they aren't competitors really, they are more "other service providers" ) charge, I then worked out how much I wanted to be paid per hour, plus other charges per annum and then worked it out for per hour (such for computer, telephone, stationery), and then worked out a small "profit" (or incidentials) price, then I worked out my whole hourly rate, which is still very competitve in my local area, in fact, I feel that my rates are the most competitive; seeing as I am based near London and I shall also be aiming for Irish (Dublin/Cork) clients as well!

Stephanie -don't be intimidated by the calculator - it is very accurate!!!

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Julia Neal ...because we ♥ admin!
http://julianeal.wordpress.com