Should You Hire a Virtual Assistant or an Employee?
Making the right choice for your business.
You know you need help, but what’s the best option? Should you hire a Virtual Assistant or bring on an in-house employee? If you’re drowning in admin, struggling to keep up with customer service, or need marketing support, this guide will help you decide which option is best for your small business.
Do You Need Someone Physically There?
One of the first questions to ask is: Should you hire a Virtual Assistant or an employee for admin tasks?
If your tasks require physical presence like stocking shelves or greeting clients an in-house employee may be the better fit.
But if you’re drowning in admin, from emails and scheduling to social media and bookkeeping then a Virtual Assistant can handle everything remotely, often at a fraction of the cost.
How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost Compared to an Employee?
Cost is a major factor in this decision. Let’s break it down:
Employee:
Salary + taxes + benefits + workspace = significant long-term costs.
Paid even if there’s no work to do.
Virtual Assistant:
You only pay for the hours worked.
No overhead costs, no desk, computer or benefits to cover.
Many small business owners search “How much does a Virtual Assistant cost per month?” The answer depends on experience and services, but hiring a VA is often 50-70% cheaper than bringing on a full-time employee.
How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost Compared to an Employee?
Cost is a major factor in this decision. Let’s break it down:
Employee:
A full-time employee with a salary of $80,000 per year (including taxes, benefits, sick leave, etc.) can cost you $100,000+ annually, including office space, equipment, and overheads.
You pay for the entire workday, even if tasks are delayed or the employee isn’t fully productive.
Virtual Assistant:
A VA at $80 per hour working 20 hours per week (roughly 80 hours per month) would cost $76,800 annually, saving you around 23%.
Added Efficiency with a Virtual Assistant
Another major advantage of hiring a VA? We only charge for the work we do. There’s no wasted time like you’d find in an office environment that means no chats by the water cooler, no idle time. A VA is task-focused and time is tracked only when we’re actively working on your business needs.
This streamlined, results-driven approach means you get more done in less time, without paying for hours that aren’t spent efficiently.
What’s the Best Way to Hire a Virtual Assistant?
If you’re leaning toward hiring a Virtual Assistant, you might be wondering where to start.
Identify your most time-consuming tasks.
Choose a VA with expertise in those areas (admin, marketing, bookkeeping, etc.).
Look for someone with strong communication skills and a proactive approach.
Searching for “best tasks to delegate to a Virtual Assistant”?
Some of the top ones include:
✅ Inbox & Calendar Management:
A VA can take over your email inbox, prioritise messages, and ensure you never miss important appointments or deadlines. With effective calendar management, you can ensure your time is spent efficiently and that everything runs on schedule.
✅ Social Media Scheduling & Content Management:
You don’t have to spend hours crafting social media posts and monitoring your accounts. A Virtual Assistant can schedule your content, interact with your audience, and even analyse data to help you make smarter, more strategic decisions.
✅ Data Entry & Reporting:
Let your VA handle the tedious task of entering data, updating databases, and creating reports. This task can be time-consuming but is essential for tracking progress and making informed decisions.
✅ Customer Service Support:
Customer communication is vital to your business, but it can be overwhelming. A VA can manage customer inquiries, respond to common questions, and ensure your clients feel supported and valued, all without you being tied to the desk.
Why Delegate These Tasks to a Virtual Assistant?
These tasks are often essential to your business, but they can take up a significant amount of time. By delegating them to a skilled VA, you can focus on high-priority tasks that require your expertise. More than just admin support a tailored VA can also provide strategic solutions to help you streamline your operations and improve overall efficiency.
Should You Hire a Virtual Assistant or an Employee?
Still unsure? Consider these key questions:
Do you need flexible support that scales up or down? → Go with a VA.
Do you need someone working set hours in your office? → An employee might be better.
Do you want to avoid the costs of hiring, training and managing staff? → A VA is the cost-effective choice.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of a Virtual Assistant, let’s chat.
Email assist@tailoredvirtualsupport.co.nz for a 30 minute free discovery call.
