How much does an executive assistant cost?
Separate the hourly rate, the hours you need, and one-time setup. Here is a worked Staffify budget and a checklist for comparing it with a direct hire or part-time service.
Quick answer
Staffify publishes a base rate of $11.25–$14 per hour, depending on the role, plus a small one-time onboarding investment. At 40 hours per week, that is about $1,950–$2,427 per month before onboarding, using 52 weeks divided by 12 months. Your written quote and actual hours determine your bill.
A transparent executive assistant budget
These are calculations using Browse available talent, not an independent market salary survey. The middle column uses $12.50 per hour as an example, not a promise that every role is available at that rate.
| Budget item | $11.25 per hour | $12.50 per hour | $14 per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly staffing | $450 | $500 | $560 |
| Average monthly staffing | $1,950 | $2,167 | $2,427 |
| Annual staffing | $23,400 | $26,000 | $29,120 |
| One-time onboarding | a small one-time investment | a small one-time investment | a small one-time investment |
| First-year total | $25,899 | $28,499 | $31,619 |
Formula: hourly rate × weekly hours × 52 ÷ 12 = annualized monthly staffing. Add onboarding once to the annual total. A four-week month is a different assumption and understates a full 52-week annual budget.
What is included, and what should you confirm?
Staffify’s published hourly offer includes payroll, benefits, HR support, time tracking, ongoing training, and the replacement guarantee. Onboarding covers sourcing, screening, role scoping, and workflow preparation. Confirm your assistant’s level, agreed schedule, software seats, any specialist requirements, and the full written scope before starting.
For a concrete role description, see virtual executive assistant responsibilities and the hiring checklist. An inbox-and-calendar role is different from senior executive decision support; scope the work before comparing prices.
Pay onboarding upfront or defer it
Ask about onboarding payment options during your discovery call. Your proposal will confirm the amount and payment schedule.
Deferral changes payment timing, not the onboarding cost. If you cancel before paying the balance, the remainder is due under the published arrangement. Do not add both the full onboarding fee and the repayments when calculating the total.
Compare the same work across hiring models
- Direct employee: budget the actual salary offer plus applicable employer costs, equipment, software, recruiting, and management time. Use current local quotes rather than comparing salary alone with an agency invoice.
- Independent freelancer: confirm availability, minimum hours, responsibilities, replacement coverage, and who manages the work. A low hourly price does not tell you how much supervision a task needs.
- Part-time service: compare included hours, overages, scheduling, and whether the same person owns the work. This can fit a smaller recurring workload.
- Dedicated Staffify placement: compare the role-specific rate, realistic hours, onboarding, included support, and your own remaining review time.
Workload comes before headcount
Track a week of inbox, calendar, CRM, document follow-up, and coordination tasks. Record frequency, duration, tools, and decisions that still require you. If the work does not justify a full-time role, improve the process or discuss a smaller scope first. Do not assume an assistant’s hours translate directly into the same number of owner-hours saved.
For a real estate media example, use the workflow handoff and starter checklist. For agent administration, see real estate virtual assistant tasks.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Staffify executive assistant cost per month?
At the published $11.25–$14 hourly range and an assumed 40-hour week for 52 weeks, ongoing staffing averages about $1,950–$2,427 per month. Onboarding is a small one-time investment. The written role-specific quote and actual hours determine billing.
What is the first-year cost at $12.50 per hour?
At 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, ongoing staffing at this example rate is $26,000 per year. A small one-time onboarding investment is quoted separately.
Is onboarding included in the monthly staffing example?
No. Ongoing monthly staffing excludes a small one-time onboarding investment. The first-year total includes it once. Deferred onboarding adds repayments to invoices until the balance is paid.
How much does an in-house executive assistant cost?
Use a current salary quote for the role and location, then include employer costs, equipment, software, recruiting, and management time. This page does not present an independent market salary survey.
What changes the price of an executive assistant?
Seniority, scope, working hours, specialist skills, tools, and coverage needs affect the quote. Compare the same responsibilities and schedule across options.
Want a real quote for an EA role?
30 minutes. Tell us the work, the hours, and the level you need, and we will give you an honest price range, plus tell you if a different model fits better.
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