In the U.S., an in-house executive assistant earns a median $76,590 a year (BLS, May 2025). Benefits make up about 30% of employer cost, so the fully loaded figure is close to $109,000 a year, or about $9,100 a month. Remote services publish plans of 80 to 160 hours a month from about $700 to $3,600 a month, depending on hours, seniority and whether the assistant is dedicated to you.
What an in-house executive assistant costs in the U.S.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $76,590 for executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants in May 2025. The mean is $79,140 and the median hourly wage is $36.82, across 459,910 jobs.
Salary is not the full cost. In June 2026, wages were 70.0% of what private employers spent per hour worked and benefits were the other 30.0%. Applied to the median salary, that puts an in-house EA at about $109,400 a year (about $9,100 a month, or about $52.60 per paid hour over 2,080 hours), before recruiting fees, equipment, office space and management time.
What remote executive assistant services charge
These are the prices the providers publish on their own pages. They are not like-for-like: some plans are general virtual assistants rather than executive assistants, and some include a backup team.
| Provider | Published price | Hours | Model and terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wing Assistant | $699 / month; $999 / month | 80 h; 160 h | Dedicated general virtual assistant; free replacement |
| Time etc | $390 to $2,160 / month ($36–39 / h) | 10 to 60 h | Dedicated U.S.-based assistant, billed by hours used |
| Prialto | From $1,500 / month per 55-hour unit; full time from $3,600 | 55 h per unit | Dedicated assistant plus backup team; 90-day minimum per unit and a $250 setup fee |
| Athena | $3,000 / month with a 12-month commitment; $3,600 / month after 90 days | Full time (40 h a week) | One dedicated EA based overseas, working your schedule |
| Virtalent (UK) | £310 to £2,700 / month (£27–31 / h) | 10 to 100 h | Dedicated UK-based virtual assistant |
| BELAY | Not published | From 45 h / month | Flat monthly rate, month to month |
Prices read on the providers' pages on October 28, 2026. Prialto's page shows both $1,500 and $1,600 per unit; Athena's pricing page and FAQ give different terms, and we show the FAQ.
Why quotes for the same role differ
- Hours. 80 and 160 hours a month are the usual blocks; hourly plans suit light, irregular work.
- Dedicated or pooled. A dedicated EA learns your preferences; a pooled team covers gaps but changes faces.
- Seniority and languages. A senior bilingual EA who handles board material costs more than a general assistant.
- Time-zone coverage. Extended or split hours to cover a second region add cost.
- Commitment and fees. Minimum terms of 90 days and setup fees change the real first-year cost.
- Employment model. A U.S. W-2 employee, a provider's employee abroad and an independent contractor carry different overheads.
How to compare two quotes
- Convert each quote into cost per hour actually worked, and multiply by the hours you need each month.
- Ask for the minimum term, the setup fee and the notice period in writing.
- Ask who covers holidays and sick days, and how fast a replacement starts.
- Interview the actual assistant before you sign, not a sales representative.
- Ask how you will see the work: a task log, a weekly report or nothing.
- Check access and confidentiality: NDA, password manager, and what the assistant can send without your approval.
Where Hedly fits
Hedly offers Fractional (80 hours), Dedicated (160 hours) and Executive plans. Plans are month to month, with no setup fee and free replacement. You meet 3 EAs on video within 24 hours, choose one, and get a one-page report every Friday with the work done and the hours given back.
We share pricing on a short call, once we know the hours, languages and coverage you need. Meet 3 EAs in 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
01Is a remote executive assistant cheaper than an in-house one?
Usually, per hour. A U.S. in-house EA costs about $52.60 per paid hour once benefits are included, while published remote plans range from about $6 to $39 an hour depending on the model and seniority.
02What does a fully loaded EA cost include?
Salary plus benefits, which are about 30% of employer cost in the U.S. (BLS, June 2026). Recruiting fees, equipment, office space and management time come on top.
03How many hours of support does an executive need?
Most founders and solo executives start with about 80 hours a month; CEOs with a heavy inbox, travel and board work usually need 160. See our guide on fractional vs dedicated support.
04Does Hedly charge a setup fee?
No. Hedly plans are month to month, with no setup fee and free replacement.
05How much does Hedly cost?
We share pricing on a short call once we know the hours, languages and coverage you need. Plans are 80 or 160 hours a month.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — OEWS national wage data, May 2025 (Table 1)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, June 2026
- Athena — Pricing
- Athena — FAQs
- Wing Assistant — Pricing
- Time etc — Pricing
- Prialto — Pricing
- Virtalent — Prices and plans
- BELAY — FAQ
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