How much does a personal assistant cost?
How much does a personal assistant cost?
$15 – $40 average cost per hour
$300 – $5,200 average cost per month (part-time)
$2,000 – $6,900 average cost per month (full-time)
Average cost of a personal assistant
Hiring a personal assistant costs $15 to $40 per hour on average, or anywhere from $300 to $6,900 per month. The actual cost will depend on their experience level, education, special skills required, and how many hours they work. A full-time assistant costs much more than hiring someone part-time.
| Fee structure | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $15 – $40 |
| Per month (part-time) | $300 – $5,200 |
| Per month (full-time) | $2,000 – $6,900 |
*Not including overtime or benefits
What does a personal assistant do?
A personal assistant (PA) provides administrative support to an individual or a team. The specific duties vary depending on what the employer needs, but typical tasks include:
Making appointments
Coordinating travel plans
Scheduling meetings
Recording minutes during meetings
Writing and sending emails
Managing a database or filing system
Make sure to include any travel requirements in the job description when hiring a PA and factor it into their hours.
Personal assistant cost by schedule
Based on an average hourly rate of $15 to $40 per hour, you can expect to pay the following rates per month based on the number of hours they work:
| Hours per week | Average cost per month |
|---|---|
| 5 | $300 – $870 |
| 10 | $650 – $1,700 |
| 15 | $980 – $2,600 |
| 20 | $1,300 – $3,500 |
| 25 | $1,600 – $4,300 |
| 30 | $2,000 – $5,200 |
| 35 | $2,300 – $6,100 |
| 40+ | $2,600 – $6,900+ |
Personal assistant cost factors
Several key factors can influence the cost of a personal assistant:
Geographic location: Hiring an assistant in a big city with a high cost of living will cost more than in a smaller city or town. PAs in Los Angeles or New York often make $100,000 or more.
Part-time vs. full-time: The more hours a personal assistant works, the more you'll end up paying. You may also have to pay for benefits such as health care for a full-time employee.
In-personal vs. virtual: A U.S.-based virtual assistant costs $10 to $40 per hour on average. These professionals work from home and don’t require any physical office space.
Specialized skills: If you need a personal assistant with a specific skill like social media management, you may have to pay more for a higher level of experience. If you only need help with emails or scheduling meetings, you'll pay less.
Education: Hiring an assistant with a higher education level or graduate degree often costs more than someone with little to no college education.
Company size: A large company with more clients, work, and tasks will likely pay more for an assistant than a small company or individual with a smaller workload.
Other assistant types
There are three other types of professional assistants, each with slightly different job responsibilities. Since their job descriptions vary, their standard rates often vary as well.
Administrative assistant
Like a personal assistant, an administrative assistant provides basic support to an individual or group. However, an administrative assistant more commonly works in a corporate setting as opposed to working for an individual. Their duties and responsibilities include:
Answering and rerouting phone calls
Sending and replying to emails
Scheduling appointments or meetings
Creating travel arrangements
Making reports or presentations
Data entry and other workplace tasks
Specialized assistant
A specialized assistant has specific skills or experience related to an industry or field, such as social media management, event planning, or marketing. A specialized assistant tends to charge more for their expertise.
Executive assistant
An executive assistant provides high-level administrative support to senior staff or C-suite professionals. They perform a wide variety of tasks, which sometimes include higher-level responsibilities like budget management, marketing plan creation, or staff supervision.
Similar services
If you need help with bookkeeping or handling financial records instead of handling emails or planning meetings, you may need a different type of employee. The table below shows the average rates for office services:
| Professional type | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|
| Bookkeeper cost | $40 – $100 |
| Accountant cost | $150 – $400 |
| Freelance editor cost | $25 – $80 |
| SEO specialist cost | $50 – $300 |
FAQs about personal assistants
How many hours does a personal assistant work?
Many personal assistants work 30 to 40 hours or more during normal business hours. However, since the duties of a PA are tailored to their employer's needs, many only work part-time, sometimes just a few hours per week.
What is a personal data assistant?
A personal data assistant (PDA) is a handheld device, not a professional title. These mobile devices were the precursor of the smartphone, and professionals used them to complete tasks like sending emails and managing a schedule.
What is a personal care assistant?
A personal care assistant (PCA) is a person who gives non-medical care to the elderly or disabled. Instead of office tasks, they help with personal needs like bathing, meals, and light housework. A PCA also gives emotional support and companionship.
Tips for choosing a personal assistant
Choosing the right personal assistant is important because it's a demanding role that keeps a business or household running smoothly. Follow these guidelines to help you pick a qualified, competent professional:
Determine the level of service and number of hours you'll need.
Verify the assistant's education and experience and make sure it matches your needs.
If you require specialized knowledge like marketing or working with certain software, be prepared to either train the assistant or pay more for a specialized assistant.
Reach out to previous employers to check references before hiring an assistant.
Questions to ask prospective assistants
When interviewing potential assistants, ask the following questions:
How much experience do you have as a personal assistant?
How much education have you received?
How do you deal with stress or simultaneous tasks?
What are your salary expectations?
Do you have experience working with Microsoft Office or Google Suite?
Have you used any other programs like Google Calendar, Trello, or Asana?
What are your career goals?
Why are you leaving your current role?
Are you able to work overtime?
Are you able to travel for work?
Do you have any questions for me?
Do you have any experience handling confidential information?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.