Executive Assistant Pricing Comparison for Logistics and Supply Chain Industry
Comparing pricing across EA service models requires a consistent framework. Different providers structure their pricing in incomparable ways: monthly fees, hourly rates, annual salaries, and placement fees cannot be evaluated side by side without standardization. This guide provides a standardized comparison.
Standardization Methodology
To enable direct comparison, this guide converts all pricing to:
Annual total cost (the total financial investment for one year of service) Effective hourly rate (the implied cost per hour of EA support) Quality-adjusted value (the estimated quality-per-dollar relative to a $1,000/month baseline)
The Comparison Table
Model 1: In-House Entry-Level Direct Hire
Annual salary (mid-market): $62,000 Benefits (30%): $18,600 Recruitment (amortized over 2 years): $5,000 Management overhead (1 hr/week @ $150): $7,800 Annual total cost: $93,400 Hours of support (40 hrs/week x 50 weeks): 2,000 Effective hourly rate: $46.70
Quality tier: Moderate (entry-level, limited logistics context)
Model 2: In-House Senior Direct Hire (Logistics Experienced)
Annual salary: $95,000 Benefits: $28,500 Recruitment: $12,000 (amortized) Management overhead: $7,800 Annual total cost: $143,300 Hours of support: 2,000 Effective hourly rate: $71.65
Quality tier: High (experienced, logistics-specific)
Model 3: Full-Time Premium Virtual Managed Service
Monthly fee: $6,000 Annual total: $72,000 No separate management overhead (included in fee) No recruitment cost Annual total cost: $72,000 Hours of support: approximately 2,000 (dedicated) Effective hourly rate: $36.00
Quality tier: High (professionally managed, screened)
Model 4: Fractional Dedicated Service (40 hrs/month)
Monthly fee: $3,500 Annual total: $42,000 Annual total cost: $42,000 Hours of support: 480 (40 hrs/month x 12 months) Effective hourly rate: $87.50
Quality tier: Good to high (dedicated, limited hours)
Model 5: Offshore Full-Time Dedicated
Monthly fee: $1,500 Annual total: $18,000 Management overhead: $3,900 (higher management intensity) Annual total cost: $21,900 Hours of support: 2,000 Effective hourly rate: $10.95
Quality tier: Variable (lower for communication tasks)
Model 6: US-Based Freelance Contractor
Hourly rate: $55 Annual cost (20 hrs/week x 50 weeks x $55): $55,000 Management overhead: $3,900 Annual total cost: $58,900 Hours of support: 1,000 (20 hrs/week) Effective hourly rate: $55.00
Quality tier: Variable (highly dependent on individual)
What the Comparison Reveals
Value-for-money leader: The premium virtual managed service at $36 effective hourly rate for high-quality, dedicated support compares favorably to in-house alternatives with higher effective rates and management overhead.
Best for budget-constrained logistics executives: Fractional dedicated service provides high quality but at limited hours. Good for executives with moderate support needs who cannot justify full-time investment.
Cost-minimization option: Offshore dedicated service is cheapest at $10.95 effective hourly rate, but quality constraints require careful scope management.
Highest absolute quality: Senior in-house direct hire with logistics experience, at $71.65 effective hourly rate, represents the highest quality tier for executives who prioritize organizational integration and in-person presence.
According to McKinsey, supply chain companies that optimize for quality in critical function support consistently outperform those that optimize for cost alone.
For the detailed annual cost analysis for each model, see cost of EA for. For guidance on which model fits your company stage, read full-time vs part-time EA.
Applying the Comparison
Use this comparison to anchor your investment decision in data. The model with the lowest absolute cost is not necessarily the best value. The model with the best quality-per-dollar ratio, adjusted for your specific support requirements, is the right choice.
For logistics CEOs with high communication-intensive support needs, the premium managed service model typically offers the best quality-adjusted value. For those with primarily process-oriented needs, fractional or offshore options may provide adequate quality at lower cost.
Related Reading
For further context, explore Benefits of Executive Assistant for Logistics CEO That Drive Business Growth and Best Bilingual Executive Assistant for Logistics and Supply Chain in 2026.