Becoming a virtual assistant is one of the easiest ways to work from home. If you’re not sure what a virtual assistant does and how to become one, keep reading! We’re going to cover everything you need to know about virtual assistant jobs!
What is a Virtual Assistant?
Virtual assistants, often abbreviated as VAs, are skilled professionals who offer administrative support to business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs from home.
The services you can offer as a VA are endless and depend on your training, experience level, and skillset.
The great thing about working as a VA is that you can work full-time, part-time, or start your own business. It’s one of the most versatile work from home jobs because of the variety of tasks you can complete.

Common Virtual Assistant Services:
Here’s a list of some of the most common administrative tasks you can work on as a VA.
- Blog management
- Bookkeeping
- Calendar management
- Content creation
- Create PowerPoint presentations
- Customer service
- Data entry
- Digital marketing
- E-commerce management
- Editing
- Event planning
- Forum moderation
- Graphic design
- Inbox management
- Make phone calls
- Market research
- Project management
- Proofreading
- Receptionist
- Scheduling appointments
- Social media management
- Travel arrangements
- Video editing
- Web development
- Writing assignments
W-2 Employee, Independent Contractor, or Business Owner? Which Route Is Right for You?
When you work as a virtual assistant, you can work as a W-2 employee, an independent contractor, or a small business owner. Of course, there are pros and cons to each work arrangement.
As a W-2 employee, you don’t have to invest money, find clients, or pay self-employment taxes. However, your salary, work hours, and how you work will be more restrictive.
If you work as an independent contractor, you’re self-employed and have to pay quarterly self-employment taxes. You also don’t receive benefits, but generally, you’ll have more control over your schedule, what clients you work with, and your pay rates. Of course, this isn’t always the case, so weigh the pros and cons when researching companies.
Business owners have the most flexibility with scheduling, choosing clients, and setting their rates. But they must also find clients, set up their businesses, and pay self-employment taxes. It’s not difficult to start a VA business, and all you really need is a smartphone, a computer, a high-speed internet connection, and a payment processor like PayPal or Stripe. You can even start without a website, but if you have the funds to get a website, do it; it’ll make your marketing easier.
Where Do You Find Virtual Assistant Jobs?
Here are some companies that regularly hire for virtual assistant jobs.
1. BELAY
BELAY hires independent contractors to work as virtual assistants, bookkeepers, marketing assistants, and executive administrative assistants. They hire from all states except California, Montana, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. To be eligible for these virtual assistant jobs, you must have experience in an administrative support role, and they prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree. The hourly rate for the VA role is $20-$23; pay rates for bookkeepers are $20-$25 per hour, for marketing assistants $28-$33 per hour, and for virtual executive assistants $30-$35 per hour.
- BELAY has a 3.8 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
2. Boldly
Boldly hires part-time and full-time W-2 employees as executive assistants, administrative and marketing assistants, bilingual assistants, and legal assistants. They accept applicants from the UK and the 49 states; currently, they don’t accept applicants from Hawaii or Washington, DC. The starting pay is $30 per hour, and these roles include benefits such as paid time off, technology stipends, and more. You’ll need at least 7 years of experience as an administrative assistant to work with Boldly.
- Boldly has a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
3. Byron
Byron hires virtual executive assistants from the US, Latin America, and the Philippines to handle one-off tasks for clients. In these independent contracting roles, you can work as many or as few hours as you’d like. You must be at least 18 years old, have 5 years of experience, and have a college degree to apply. According to their old job listing, the pay for US workers ranges from $20 to $28 per hour. Byron makes payments via direct deposit every two weeks.
- Byron has a 4.3 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
4. COYL (Check Off Your List)
COYL offers fractional back-office support to clients across accounting, executive assistance, project management, marketing, website design, HR, and IT. Due to the nature of their business, positions vary depending on client needs. Most positions start with part-time hours and can grow into a full-time role. From what I can tell, they only hire workers from Florida, Maine, Ohio, Georgia, and Texas. To learn more, you can contact them via email or click the yellow “Open Positions” button to learn more.
- Check Off Your List has a 3.2-star rating out of 5 on Glassdoor.
5. Elite Virtual Assistants (EVA)
EVA hires part-time 1099 virtual and legal assistants from the US. For these remote positions, you must have at least 5 years of experience and be tech-savvy with advanced Microsoft Office skills. The starting pay rate varies by role, and hourly pay increases every 6 months.
- Elite Virtual Assistants (EVA) has a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
6. Equivity
Equivity hires part-time W-2 virtual paralegals and virtual executive assistants from the United States. The starting pay for these roles is not listed; however, you must have a bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience for these paralegal and virtual assistant jobs.
- Equivity has a 3.5 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
7. Fancy Hands
Fancy Hands hires freelance virtual assistants from the US to complete one-off tasks for their clients. You should have excellent communication skills, a computer, and a reliable internet connection for this role. Payments go out every Tuesday, and you’ll earn $3-$7 per task. I’ve heard from some readers that Fancy Hands is oversaturated with assistants and that there isn’t any work for new VAs. Be sure to do your own research before submitting an application.
- Fancy Hands has a 2.5 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
8. Great Assistant
Great Assistant hires virtual executive assistants from the US and Canada. Each client has different hours, pay, and skill requirements. Some positions are independent contracting, and others are W-2 roles. The pay is generally between $20 and $25 per hour, and most jobs require 3 years of experience.
- Great Assistant does not have a published Glassdoor or Indeed rating, but you can learn more about the founder, Tim Francis, on LinkedIn.
9. Headroom
Headroom hires full-time and part-time executive assistants from the US and Amsterdam. For these roles, you must have at least 2 years of experience, a college education, and excellent communication skills. These are W-2 positions that pay $40,000-$60,000 annually, and full-time positions come with benefits and a home office setup.
- Headroom has a 3.1 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor (listed as Headroom Assistance).
10. Hey Girl Friday
Hey Girl Friday hires top-notch VAs, or as they call them, advocates, who assist clients with administrative, operational, and project management tasks. For these part-time, independent contracting roles, applicants must be based in the US, willing to make a one-year commitment to the company, and have at least 3 years of executive assistance experience. Hey Girl Friday offers flexible scheduling, a virtual setup, and a starting pay rate of $30 per hour.
- Hey Girl Friday has a 5-star rating on Glassdoor.

11. InboxDone
At InboxDone, virtual assistants manage email for business owners, CEOs, and virtual team members. The great thing about this independent contracting role is you don’t need experience, a cover letter, or a resume! But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to score a job at InboxDone. They are looking for individuals who are willing to put their best foot forward and make a long-term commitment to the company. Positions start as part-time and have the ability to work full-time hours once you’ve achieved mastery. The starting pay rate is $17 per hour.
- InboxDone has a 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Glassdoor.
12. Lucia by Tern
Lucia by Tern hires VAs, or as they call them, copilots, to help clients in the travel industry with administrative tasks. In these freelance roles, you’ll have a flexible schedule, and you can choose the projects that you work on. Applicants should possess industry experience, be self-motivated, and have excellent communication skills.
- Lucia by Tern does not have a published Glassdoor or Indeed rating. However, you can learn more about the founder, David Shull, on LinkedIn.
13. My VA Rocks
My VA Rocks hires virtual assistants to complete tasks like calendar and email management, project management, social media, grant writing, copywriting, and bookkeeping. For this remote position, they are looking for applicants who have at least 5 years of work experience, possess excellent time management skills, are detail-oriented, and are excited to learn new things. In this virtual role, you’ll work as an independent contractor with a starting pay rate of $20 per hour. Applicants must live in one of the following states: AL, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WV, or WY.
14. Peachtree VA
Peachtree VA hires team members for freelance virtual assistant and bookkeeping roles. Job candidates must have 2 years of experience, be able to work 15 hours per week, Monday-Friday, and pass a criminal background check. The pay is $22 per hour, and all candidates must pass a skills test.
- Peachtree VA has a 4.2 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
15. Rivvly
Rivvly hires remote associates who have a bachelor’s degree and at least 6 months of administrative experience. In these independent contracting roles, you’ll need to have expertise in Google Suite, Microsoft Office, task management programs like Slack, and a typing speed of 50 WPM.
- Rivvly has a 2.5 out of 5 stars on Indeed.
16. She’s a Given
She’s a Given hires 1099 virtual executive assistants to provide admin support, inbox management, scheduling, and client communication support. For these roles, you must be based in the US, have at least 3 years of successful VA experience, and have your own computer. The hours are flexible, they offer competitive pay, and you can work as much as you’d like.
- She’s a Given has no published Glassdoor or Indeed ratings at this time. You can learn more about its founder, Emilie Given, on LinkedIn.
17. Team Delegate
Team Delegate hires part-time, freelance executive virtual assistants from all states except MT, PA, NY, NJ, and CA. You must have 3 years of experience and strong organizational and communication skills. In these roles, you’ll need to be available during normal business hours.
- Team Delegate has a Glassdoor profile with 0 published reviews. You can learn more about its founder, Tonya Thomas, on LinkedIn.
18. The Boutique COO
The Boutique COO supports creative-minded entrepreneurs with highly educated, US-based virtual assistants, social media managers, brand and web designers, marketing strategists, and bookkeepers. In these freelance roles, you’ll start off working 20 hours, and there is the potential to go full-time. The Boutique COO offers competitive pay, flexible work hours, and bonus opportunities.
- The Boutique COO has a 2.8 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
19. Time Etc
Time Etc hires part-time, freelance virtual assistants from the US, the UK, and Ireland. You’ll need to have 5-8 years of experience and the ability to work during daytime hours. The starting pay rate is $17 per hour, and you can work in the categories of general virtual assistance, marketing, social media, writing, or customer service.
- Time Etc has a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
20. VaVa Virtual Assistants
VaVa Virtual Assistants hires US-based 1099 bookkeepers, content writers, graphic designers, social media managers, virtual executive assistants, and web developers. You’ll need 2-5 years of experience and knowledge of commonly used platforms like Google Suite, Basecamp, Slack, and Microsoft Suite. The job post doesn’t include salary or hours, so you’ll need to inquire about those.
- VaVa Virtual Assistants has a 4.0 out of 5 stars on Indeed.

21. Virtual Assist USA
Virtual Assist USA hires US-based virtual assistants and project managers, both part-time and full-time. You must have a college degree and 5 years of experience for these W-2 positions. According to their old job post, the starting pay is $17 per hour, and full-time employees are eligible for benefits after 6 months of employment.
- Virtual Assist USA has a 4.0 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
22. Worxbee
Worxbee hires US-based executive assistants with at least 5 years of experience to provide VA services to their clients. In this role, you work as an independent contractor. The great thing about Worxbee is that you get to choose the clients you want to work with, and they provide ongoing training and support for their executive assistants. Pay starts at $26 per hour, and you must be able to work at least 10 hours a week. Worxbee does not hire in the following states: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont, or West Virginia.
- Worxbee gets a 1.9-star rating on Glassdoor; however, this number is based on only 7 reviews, which is not a reliable sample. Please do your own research before applying.
23. Zirtual
Zirtual hires part-time and full-time US-based virtual executive assistants who can work daytime hours. Positions are location-dependent, and you’ll need 4 years of experience with a college degree, or 7 years without one. In this gig, you’ll work as an independent contractor, and you’ll earn $1,500-$3,800 per month.
- Zirtual has a 3.4 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.
Freelance Marketplaces, Remote Job Boards, and Staffing Agencies
You can also find one-off virtual assistant jobs, personal assistant gigs, and projects through these freelance marketplaces, remote job boards, staffing agencies, and corporations.
- Adecco
- Burke + CO
- CVS
- Fiverr
- FlexJobs
- FlexProfessionals
- Excellence Services, LLC
- Insight Global
- Kelly Services
- Planet Professional
- Remote Job Membership
- Robert Half
- Squared Away
- The Power Pause
- Upwork
- Virtual Bliss Assisting
How Much Do Virtual Assistants Earn?
Depending on what services you offer, your experience, and your employment status, virtual assistants make an average of $25.55 per hour (according to Indeed).
Of course, if you’re running your own virtual assistant business, you can charge even more. There are a few different ways that you can charge for your services: by the hour, project, or on a monthly retainer – explore what option works best for you and your clients.

What Training Do You Need?
You don’t necessarily need specialized training to work from home as a virtual assistant, but you do need excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills. You should also have proficiency with common software programs such as Microsoft Office, G Suite, Zoom, and ChatGPT. For executive assistant roles, you’ll likely need to be familiar with tools and platforms such as HubSpot, Slack, Salesforce, WordPress, Kajabi, or Shopify.
There are many virtual assistant training programs and certifications that can help you establish your credibility and learn the skills you need.
When you’re searching for a course, there are many factors you should consider, such as:
- What’s the cost?
- How long will it take to complete?
- Who is the course creator or teaching institution?
- How long do you get access to the program?
- Does the course include certification?
I like to choose courses where the instructor or institution has proven success in what they’re teaching. Here are some of the courses and online resources I recommend.
- Savvy System Accelerator (Start your VA business and get your 1st client in 90 days)
- Pinterest VA (Start a Pinterest management business)
- VA Networking (Professional networking association for virtual assistants)
If you’re not sure that starting a VA business is the right thing to do, check out this free training from Abbey Ashley: Become a Booked Out Virtual Assistant.
Want to Start Your Own Virtual Assistant Business?
As an aspiring entrepreneur, you’ll need to educate yourself on best business practices. Reading a business book or taking a course can help you quickly learn the ropes.
Here are some basic steps you’ll need to take to launch your virtual assistant business.
1. Write a Business Plan
You wouldn’t go on a road trip without directions, so why would you jump into a business without a plan? Writing a business plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of it as a simple guide that will help you plan and make wise decisions along the way.
If you need help getting started, grab our FREE Simplified Business Plan Template.
2. Choose a Niche
There are many services you can offer as a virtual assistant, but another consideration is which clients you would like to serve. While you can work as a generalist, it’s easier and generally more lucrative to choose a specialty or niche.
Here are some in-demand VA niches to consider:
- Authors
- Blog or content creator management
- Legal
- Marketing
- Personal concierge
- Pinterest virtual assistant
- Podcast production assistant
- Project management
- Real estate transaction coordinator
- Sales
3. Build a Website
To be competitive as a VA, you should have a website. Having an online presence will help you attract more clients. It also gives you a place to showcase samples, list your services and testimonials, and make you look more professional.
Don’t worry; setting up a website is easy and affordable. Here are some website options that will get you up and running quickly.
4. Market Your VA Business
There are many ways to promote your VA business; the key is consistency. Choose a few marketing methods and devote some time to each each day. Some experts say you should pitch 5-10 new prospects a day to have a constant flow of clients in your pipeline.
Here are just some of the ways you can market your business:
- Social media
- Networking events
- Email marketing
- Lead generation
- PR opportunities
- Email prospecting
- Facebook groups
Related content: Getting (and Keeping) Your First Client
5. Invest in Your VA Business
As your income grows, you’ll want to reinvest some of it in professional development. There are conferences, courses, books, membership sites, mastermind groups, and coaching sessions; there is something for every budget and niche. By investing in yourself and your business, you gain the knowledge, information, and skills to make your business a success.
Remote Virtual Assistant Jobs Wrapup
Working from home as a virtual assistant is an excellent option for many! There are roles for beginners and experts alike, and many different work arrangements to fit your schedule. Whether you’re looking for a part-time virtual assistant job or you want to earn six figures annually, all you have to do is take the first step to make your dreams a reality.
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