How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost? (2026)

chaneldorsay
20 hours ago
3 min read

If you're feeling buried in emails, appointment scheduling, billing, and administrative tasks, you've probably wondered whether hiring a virtual assistant (VA) is worth the investment.

One of the first questions we hear from clinic owners is:

"How much does a virtual assistant cost?"

The answer depends on several factors, including experience, the services you need, and whether you're hiring a general VA or one who specializes in healthcare administration and how much experience they have.

Here's what you can expect.

Average Virtual Assistant Rates [in Canada]

Most Canadian virtual assistants charge between:

Experience	Hourly Rate
Beginner	$20–$30/hour
Experienced	$35–$50/hour
Specialized Support	$45–$75+/hour

While a lower hourly rate may seem appealing, it's important to consider experience. A specialized healthcare virtual assistant can often complete tasks more efficiently and with fewer errors, saving you time and reducing stress.

What Affects the Cost?

Several factors influence pricing:

Experience

An experienced virtual assistant who understands healthcare workflows requires less training and can integrate into your practice more quickly.

Specialized Knowledge

If your practice uses platforms like Jane App, OWL Practice, Practice Better, or manages direct billing, hiring someone with experience in these systems can be a significant advantage.

Services Included

Virtual assistants may provide support with:

Appointment scheduling
Email and phone management
Client onboarding
Intake forms
Direct billing
Jane App administration
Medical records organization
Social media management
Practice operations
Standard operating procedures (SOPs)

The more specialized the work, the higher the hourly rate tends to be.

Hourly vs. Monthly Packages

Many virtual assistants offer both hourly billing and monthly retainers.

Hourly

Best for clinics that need occasional support.

Examples:

Vacation coverage
Overflow admin
One-time projects

Monthly Retainer

Ideal for practices that need consistent support each month.

Benefits include:

Predictable monthly costs
Dedicated support
Faster response times
Better familiarity with your systems
Easier long-term planning

Is Hiring a Virtual Assistant Worth It?

Consider what your time is worth.

If you're spending 10 hours each week managing administrative tasks, that's 40+ hours every month you're not spending with clients, growing your practice, or taking time for yourself.

Delegating routine administrative work allows you to focus on what you do best while improving your clients' experience.

Why Healthcare Practices Choose Specialized Virtual Assistants

Healthcare practices have unique administrative needs.

A specialized healthcare virtual assistant understands:

Confidentiality and privacy requirements
Client communication
Scheduling workflows
Direct billing processes
Electronic medical record systems
Practice management software

Working with someone who already understands your industry often means less onboarding and a smoother transition.

What We Offer at The Admin Edit

At The Admin Edit, we provide virtual administrative support exclusively for health and wellness practices across Canada and the United States.

Our services include:

Appointment scheduling
Inbox management
Direct billing support
Jane App administration
Client communication
Practice operations
Social media management
Administrative systems and workflows

Whether you need a few hours of support each month or ongoing administrative assistance, we'll work with you to create a plan that fits your practice.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a virtual assistant isn't just about reducing your workload—it's about creating more space to focus on your clients, your business, and your own well-being.

If you're spending more time on administrative tasks than client care, it may be time to invest in support.

Ready to spend less time on admin?

At The Admin Edit, we help therapists, psychologists, naturopaths, dietitians, and other health and wellness professionals streamline their operations with reliable virtual administrative support.

Book a free discovery call today and let's chat about how we can support your practice.