You enter employee hours, pay rates, and deductions into payroll systems. Requires accuracy (you are dealing with people's paychecks) and basic knowledge of payroll software like ADP or Gusto.

Requires: Excel, payroll software familiarity, confidentiality.

Many VA roles are 50% data entry and 50% admin (email, scheduling). This is a great path if you want to grow beyond pure data entry. See our full Virtual Assistant guide.

Requires: Organization, communication, Google Workspace.

You update property listings on MLS databases, input showing feedback, and manage transaction paperwork. Real estate teams hire VAs specifically for this.

Requires: MLS familiarity, accuracy with addresses and numbers.

You type out audio files (interviews, podcasts, focus groups) into text documents. Pay per audio minute (typically $0.50-$1.50/minute), so speed matters. Companies like Rev and TranscribeMe hire beginners.

Requires: 60+ WPM typing, good listening skills, patience.

You create subtitles and captions for videos. Similar to transcription, but you also need to sync the text with the video timing. Netflix and streaming services hire for this.

Requires: Timing precision, transcription skills, video software.

You input customer orders into e-commerce systems. Often involves copying shipping addresses, quantities, and SKUs from emails or order forms into a dashboard.

Requires: Speed, accuracy, e-commerce platform knowledge.

You take paper survey results and enter them into digital databases. Market research companies hire for this. Seasonal work is common after large study periods.

Requires: Accuracy, ability to read handwriting, patience.

The catch-all category. You take information from PDFs, scanned documents, or images and put it into Excel or a database. This is the most competitive and lowest-paying tier.

Requires: 50+ WPM, Excel basics, attention to detail.