From booking travel to managing your schedule, there’s a lot of planning and execution that goes on in business. One of the most effective ways to handle your administration tasks is to hire a personal assistant.
If you’re considering hiring a PA, you may be wondering about a personal assistant’s hourly rate of pay or how much a virtual assistant costs. Essentially, the going rate for personal assistants varies depending on a number of factors. Here, we break down what you can expect to pay a PA annually, as well as revealing the hourly rate for a virtual assistant in the UK.
What Is A PA?
A personal assistant works closely with you to provide administrative duties. Some of their tasks include diary management, scheduling meetings, booking and planning travel arrangements, such as transport and hotels, as well as assisting with daily schedules, email management, note-taking, organising meetings and liaising with clients.
How Much Can I Expect To Pay A Personal Assistant?
A personal assistant's hourly rate varies depending on location, experience and industry. In the following sections, we’ll show you what the average cost of hiring a PA is within different areas within the United Kingdom and the average personal assistant salary for different experience levels.
Location
The average personal assistant salary within London is around £49,00 per annum according to our 2024 salary survey. Outside of the capital, the average salary is lower. In Manchester, a PA would expect a salary of around £27,500 per annum while the average salary for a personal assistant in Glasgow is around £28,000. Wage rates vary by geographic location. You can use this salary calculator online to determine the most competitive wage rates for employees. For other areas, you can work around these figures depending on your location. For instance, if you’re based just outside London, you’ll be expected to pay in the range of £40,000 plus per year for your PA. Of course, these average annual figures also depend on how much experience a successful candidate has.
Experience
With regards to experience, an entry-level PA in London is paid on average between £34,000 to £40,000 per annum. A successful PA candidate who is at the highest level in terms of qualifications and experience would be looking for an annual wage of up to £70,000. Depending on your location and how experienced the personal assistant is, you can estimate an average figure. However, it’s also important to consider the industry you’re in.
Industry
In addition to differing salaries in location and experience of a PA, there is a discrepancy in the annual salary according to who the personal assistant works for. For example, if a PA works for an individual or organisation with a high net worth, they can command a salary of between £40,000 to £125,000 per annum, with an average of £72,500. The highest-paid personal assistants, such as those working for celebrities, can earn a six-figure sum. This is usually due to experience, confidentiality matters and the demanding lifestyles of those in the public eye.
What Are Virtual Assistants & How Much Does It Cost To Hire One?
A virtual assistant is essentially an individual contractor who performs a wide range of administrative duties. You may be wondering how this role differs from a personal assistant? Both roles tackle similar tasks. However, a virtual assistant works remotely, usually in their home office, and they may work for a wide variety of people outside the realm of company managers and executives.
The majority of virtual assistants work on an hourly rate. The average hourly rate for a virtual assistant in the UK is around £29. However, you may find this is lower or higher depending on their experience and qualifications.
Find The Perfect PA Candidate For You With Oriel Partners
Now you know the going rate for personal assistants and how much a virtual assistant costs, you may be ready to start searching for the perfect PA. Hire the ideal personal assistant for your company with Oriel Partners. Get in touch today to discuss how we can help you find the very best fit for your requirements.
