Pricing Your Services: A Guide for Virtual Assistants

One of the biggest questions new and aspiring virtual assistants face is: How do I price my services?

Pricing virtual assistant services — including setting your VA rates and packaging your offers — can feel overwhelming at first. Yet it’s an essential step in building a sustainable VA business that supports both your income and your energy.

In this post, we’ll break down pricing your services step-by-step, so you can confidently set your rates and create service packages that attract the right clients.

If you’re still getting familiar with the foundations of running a VA business, you may find it helpful to start with VA Growth Essentials for Beginners, which walks through the core building blocks that support confident pricing decisions.

Shift Your Mindset

Before diving into numbers, it’s important to understand that you are a business owner, not an employee.

Unlike a traditional job where you submit a resume, as a virtual assistant you present yourself as a professional service provider. This means showcasing your skills, setting clear service offerings, and emphasizing the value you bring to your clients’ businesses.

Many VAs experience hesitation here — especially when stepping into pricing conversations for the first time. If self-doubt or uncertainty comes up, you’re not alone. Our reflection on Overcoming Imposter Syndrome explores why these feelings often surface as your business grows — and how to move forward with steadier confidence.

Pricing Your Services as a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistant rates vary widely, from as low as $3 per hour to over $100 per hour. With such a broad range, it’s natural to wonder how to determine your ideal VA rate.

When pricing virtual assistant services, consider the following key factors:

1. Your Expenses & Income Goals
Start by calculating both your business and personal expenses. Include costs such as software subscriptions, internet, equipment, and ongoing tools. Then, decide how many hours you want to work each week and what income goal makes your VA business sustainable for you.

This clarity helps ensure your pricing supports a long-term, sustainable VA business — not just short-term work.

2. Industry Standards & Your Experience Level
Research virtual assistant pricing within your niche and geographic area. New VAs often start with lower VA rates to gain experience and testimonials, then increase their pricing as their skills, confidence, and clarity grow.

Your rates are allowed to evolve as your business matures.

3. The Value You Provide
Clients aren’t just paying for time — they’re investing in results. If your work saves a client 10+ hours a week, reduces stress, or streamlines their systems, your pricing should reflect that value.

Your virtual assistant pricing should align with the impact and outcomes you deliver.

Tip: If a potential client pushes back on your rates, they may not be the right fit. Focus on clients who understand the value of your support and are willing to invest in it.

Packaging Your Virtual Assistant Services

Instead of charging hourly, many virtual assistants find success by offering service packages. Packaging creates predictable income and helps clients clearly understand what’s included, making the decision to say “yes” much easier.

Popular service package types include:

• Retainer Packages
  A set number of hours per month at a flat monthly rate. These are ideal for ongoing support and long-term client relationships.

• Project-Based Packages
  Fixed-price services with a defined scope, such as social media setup, website updates, or CRM organization.

• VIP Days
  Clients book a focused half-day or full day to complete specific tasks quickly and efficiently.

Tip: Start by packaging your most requested services first. You can always refine or expand your offers as you learn more about what your clients need.

Clear packages often work best when paired with solid systems and expectations. If pricing conversations feel difficult, Systems to Start Your VA Business can help you see how structure supports confidence and boundaries.

A Sustainable Approach to VA Pricing

Pricing your services as a virtual assistant doesn’t have to be confusing.

By understanding your expenses, researching industry standards, and focusing on the value you provide, you can set VA rates that feel fair — to both you and your clients. Packaging your services adds clarity, builds confidence, and supports a more sustainable business.

As your business grows, your pricing will likely change — and that’s normal. The Truth About VA Life offers an honest look at growth seasons, sustainability, and learning as you go.

Ready for the Next Step?

If you’d like guided support while refining your services, pricing, and systems, the A–Z VA Growth Challenge offers a step-by-step, supportive place to build clarity without pressure.

Pricing confidence grows with practice.
Your business is allowed to evolve.
And your ideal clients are looking for exactly what you bring.