An executive assistant can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars a month for part-time offshore help to well over $100,000 a year for a senior full-time hire. For a dedicated, US-based executive assistant through a managed service, plan to invest a few thousand dollars a month. The right number depends on three things: where the assistant is based, how senior they are, and whether they are dedicated to you or shared across several clients.
This guide breaks down what each model actually costs, what drives the price, and how to judge whether the investment pays for itself.
How much does an executive assistant cost by model?
Cost varies more by hiring model than by the role itself. Here is how the common options compare.
| Model | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore virtual assistant | Roughly $8 to $30 per hour | Bounded, repeatable tasks on a tight budget |
| US-based subscription EA (managed service) | Commonly $2,500 to $5,000+ per month | A dedicated partner without running your own hiring process |
| Full-time in-house EA (salary) | Commonly $60,000 to $120,000+ per year, plus benefits | Organizations ready to employ and manage directly |
| Trial-to-hire placement | An access or placement fee, then the EA’s salary | Hiring a permanent EA with less risk of a bad fit |
| One-off project or reset | A few hundred to a couple thousand dollars | A specific cleanup, not ongoing support |
What drives the cost of an executive assistant?
Four factors explain most of the price difference between one executive assistant and another.
- Location. US-based assistants cost more per hour than offshore assistants, in exchange for time-zone overlap, native-level communication, and US data norms.
- Seniority. A senior EA who can own projects and make decisions costs more than a task-level assistant.
- Dedicated vs. shared. A dedicated assistant matched to you costs more than a pooled resource shared across clients, and delivers far more context and continuity.
- Hours and scope. Part-time support costs less than full-time, and a narrow task list costs less than full ownership of your calendar, inbox, and projects.
Is an executive assistant worth the cost?
The honest way to answer this is to compare the cost against the value of the time you get back. Start by estimating what an hour of your time is worth. If an executive assistant removes 10 or more hours of low-value work from your week, the math usually favors the hire quickly.
The effect is measurable. Executives with strong EA support report a 64% productivity gain, while leaders without adequate support lose ground on the work only they can do. The cost of an EA is rarely the real question. The real question is what your time is worth when it is spent on strategy instead of admin.
How Base prices executive assistant support
Base matches founders and executives with dedicated, US-based executive assistants from the top 1% of applicants. Pricing covers a few clear models:
- Subscription support starts at $2,800 per month for 40 hours, with a dedicated US-based EA matched to your time zone.
- Full-time trial-to-hire (Select+) uses a $15,000 access fee that covers the trial and the full placement, with a $45 per hour trial rate and no separate fee to hire the EA in-house.
- Temporary and project support starts at $950 for short-term needs.
Most clients are matched within 3 days, and 95% are satisfied with their first match.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a US-based executive assistant cost compared to offshore?
US-based support generally costs more per hour than offshore help. The premium buys time-zone overlap, native-level communication, US data norms, and usually more senior, dedicated support. For high-trust executive work, that difference often matters more than the hourly rate.
Is it cheaper to hire an executive assistant in-house?
The headline salary can look lower than a managed service, but in-house hiring adds recruiting time, benefits, payroll overhead, and the risk and cost of a bad hire. A managed or trial-to-hire model spreads or reduces that risk.
What is included in an executive assistant service fee?
It varies by provider, but a managed service fee typically covers matching, the assistant’s time, and ongoing support such as replacement if the fit is not right. Always confirm what is and is not included before you commit.
Ready to find an executive assistant who pays for themselves?
Base can match you with a vetted, US-based executive assistant on a model that fits your budget and stage. See how matching works and view pricing.
