Hiring guide · Operations
Where to hire a virtual assistant (and what to delegate)
Delegate first vs keep
| Good first tasks | Keep or delegate later |
|---|---|
| Calendar scheduling and meeting prep | Anything that moves money |
| Inbox labeling and draft replies from templates | Hiring/firing decisions and sensitive HR |
| Lead or vendor research into a spreadsheet | Legal or contract commitments |
| CRM / data entry cleanup | Passwords to primary accounts |
Match the job to the venue
- One-off task bundles: marketplace Gigs or fixed-price posts with a clear output (e.g. “200 leads in this format”).
- Ongoing part-time help: hourly contracts with a weekly cap; see hourly vs fixed-price.
- Executive-level support: experienced assistants via direct hire or specialist agencies; expect higher rates.
Run a paid trial task
- Pick one real, low-risk task (2–3 hours).
- Write the steps and the definition of done.
- Pay for it; judge accuracy, questions asked, and communication.
- Turn their notes into your SOP before scaling.
Access rules
- Use delegated access (shared calendars, delegated inbox, separate seats) instead of sharing your password.
- Use a password manager’s sharing feature where possible, and turn on two-factor authentication.
- No payment authority in the first weeks.
Red flags
- Asks to be paid off-platform right away (why that is risky).
- Wants remote control of your computer through tools like AnyDesk or TeamViewer early on.
- Cannot explain how they handle time zones and response times.
Wage context
BLS reports a median annual wage of $48,310 ($23.23/hour) for secretaries and administrative assistants in May 2025; executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants had a median of $76,590. BLS notes some administrative assistants work from home as virtual assistants.
BLS wage figures describe employees in May 2025. BLS states its wage survey does not include self-employed workers, so freelance quotes can sit well above or below these numbers (freelancers cover their own tax, tools, benefits and unbilled time). Use them as a sanity floor for context, not a price list.
Fees and payment protection
Venue fees and protection rules live on our sister site: fee comparison, hourly vs fixed-price, and off-platform payment rules (checked Nov 5, 2026).
What this page does not do
- No “best freelancers” ranking and no paid placements.
- No affiliate partnerships are active on this page.
Related: what a virtual assistant costs (hours-per-week budget math) · hire a bookkeeper · hiring brief template
FAQ
What should I delegate to a virtual assistant first?
Repeatable, documented, low-risk tasks such as scheduling, inbox triage with templates, research lists and data entry. Keep money movement and legal commitments with you at first.
What do administrative assistants earn in the U.S.?
BLS reports a May 2025 median of $48,310 per year for secretaries and administrative assistants and $76,590 for executive assistants (employees, not freelancers).
Sources
- U.S. BLS — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants: www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretarie (checked Nov 5, 2026)
- Fiverr Help — Stay protected: off-platform policy (remote-access warning): help.fiverr.com/hc/en-us/articles/12792122691601-Stay-protec (checked Nov 5, 2026)
No affiliate links on this page. Figures change; re-check the official page before you rely on them.