TL;DR — Quick Summary
- 1High Demand: Entrepreneurs are drowning in admin work. They desperately need you.
- 2Top Boards: FlexJobs (Quality Jobs), Belay (US Agency), Upwork (Freelance Gigs).
- 3Entry Pay: $18-25/hour for general VA work. Specialists earn $40-75/hour.
- 4Key Skills: Calendar Management, Email Triage, Travel Booking, Basic Tech Support.
It enters you into the ecosystem, teaches you the tools everyone uses (Slack, Zoom, Notion, Asana), and can pay surprisingly well once you specialize. Best of all, you don't need a degree, certification, or years of experience to get started.
If you are organized, reliable, and can communicate clearly, you already have the core skills. This guide will show you exactly where to find legitimate VA jobs, how much you can expect to earn, and how to stand out in a crowded market.
Related reading: If you're brand new to remote work, start with our guide on entry-level remote jobs for the fundamentals.
Become a VA Today
FlexJobs has 2,500+ verified Virtual Assistant listings from CEOs, entrepreneurs, and growing companies. No scams. No bidding wars.
Find VA Jobs →Entry-Level Friendly
1. What is a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual Assistant is a remote administrative professional who supports businesses, entrepreneurs, or executives with a variety of tasks. Think of it as being a secretary or office manager—but from your home office.
The scope of VA work has exploded in recent years. What started as "answer emails and schedule meetings" has grown into a full spectrum of services:
General/Admin VA
Email management, calendar scheduling, data entry, travel booking, expense reports.
Executive Assistant
High-level support for C-suite executives. Project management, meeting prep, stakeholder communication.
Social Media VA
Creating posts, scheduling content, engaging with followers, basic graphic design.
Bookkeeping VA
Invoice management, expense tracking, basic QuickBooks/Xero work, reconciliation.
Real Estate VA
Lead follow-up, listing management, transaction coordination, CRM updates.
Tech VA
Website updates, WordPress management, email marketing (Mailchimp, ConvertKit), CRM setup.
2. Skills That Pay
The VA market is competitive. To stand out, you need to do more than just "be organized". Here are the skills that command the highest rates:
| Skill | Tools to Learn | Rate Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Admin | Google Workspace, Calendly | $18-25/hr (Baseline) |
| Project Management | Asana, Monday.com, ClickUp | +$5-10/hr |
| Social Media | Canva, Later, Buffer | +$10-15/hr |
| Bookkeeping | QuickBooks, Xero, Wave | +$15-20/hr |
| Email Marketing | Mailchimp, ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign | +$10-15/hr |
| CRM Management | HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive | +$10-20/hr |
Pro Tip
3. Salary Breakdown: Entry to Expert
Let's talk real numbers. VA income varies wildly based on your location, specialization, and whether you work for an agency or directly with clients.
US-Based VA Rates (2026)
- Entry-Level General VA$18 - $25 / hour
- Experienced General VA (2+ years)$28 - $40 / hour
- Specialized VA (Marketing/Tech)$40 - $60 / hour
- Online Business Manager (OBM)$50 - $100 / hour
*Note: Overseas VAs (Philippines, Latin America) often charge $5-15/hour, making the market very competitive for general admin work. To command US rates, you need to offer value beyond basic tasks—speed, native English, US time zone availability, or specialized skills.
4. Top 8 Places to Find VA Jobs
Not all job boards are equal. Here's where the legitimate opportunities actually are:
FlexJobs
Best for finding direct employment VA roles with companies (W2 or contract). Hand-screened listings, no scams. Paid subscription required, but worth every penny for serious job seekers.
Best for: Those who want stability and benefits, not gig work.
Belay Solutions
A US-based VA agency that matches you with clients. Rigorous interview process—they require 5+ years of administrative experience and excellent references. If you get in, you're guaranteed consistent work.
Best for: Experienced admins looking for premium clients.
Zirtual
Similar to Belay, focused on US-based VAs for busy executives. Requires a bachelor's degree and strong communication skills. Part-time to full-time hours available.
Best for: College-educated professionals seeking executive-level work.
Time Etc
Another reputable VA agency serving entrepreneurs. Less stringent requirements than Belay. Good for building experience if you're newer to the field.
Best for: Intermediate VAs with 1-3 years experience.
Upwork
The largest freelance marketplace. High competition and lots of low-ball offers, but great for building a portfolio and getting your first clients. See our FlexJobs vs Upwork comparison for pros/cons.
Best for: Beginners willing to grind for reviews.
Fancy Hands
A platform for micro-tasks (15-20 minute requests). Pay is per task ($3-7), not hourly. Good for dipping your toes in, but hard to make serious income here.
Best for: Side gig income, not primary work.
Seriously underrated for VA work. Many small business owners post VA jobs directly. Use Boolean search tricks from our LinkedIn guide to find hidden gems.
Best for: Direct-hire roles with growing businesses.
Facebook Groups
Yes, really. Groups like "Virtual Assistant Savvies" and "Freelance to Founder" are goldmines. Entrepreneurs post urgent needs there constantly.
Best for: Quick wins and networking.
5. Agency vs. Direct Hire: Which Path?
There are two main ways to work as a VA: join an agency (like Belay or Zirtual) or find your own clients directly.
| Factor | Agency (Belay, Zirtual) | Direct (Your Own Clients) |
|---|---|---|
| Finding Clients | They find clients FOR you | You do all the marketing |
| Rate Control | They set your rate (take a cut) | You set your own rate |
| Income Stability | Steady work if matched | Feast or famine cycles |
| Income Ceiling | Capped by agency rates | Unlimited potential |
| Best For... | Those who want simplicity | Those who want to build a business |
My recommendation: Start with an agency to learn the ropes and build experience. Once you have 1-2 years and a track record, transition to finding your own higher-paying direct clients. For customer-facing role tips that apply here, see our customer service jobs guide.
6. Getting Your First Client: The Action Plan
The hardest part of VA work is landing that first client. Here's a step-by-step plan:
Week 1-2: Foundation
- ✅ Decide on your niche (General Admin? Real Estate? Podcast VA?)
- ✅ Create a simple one-page website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your skills
- ✅ Get free certifications (Google Workspace, HubSpot, Asana basics)
- ✅ Apply to Belay, Zirtual, and Time Etc to get in their queues
Week 3-4: The Hustle
- ✅ Set up an Upwork profile with a clear, niche-focused headline
- ✅ Apply to 5-10 VA jobs per day on FlexJobs and Upwork
- ✅ Join 3-5 Facebook groups and engage (don't just lurk)
- ✅ Reach out to 10 local small businesses offering a free "trial week"
Pro Tip
Become a VA Today
FlexJobs has 2,500+ verified Virtual Assistant listings from CEOs, entrepreneurs, and growing companies. No scams. No bidding wars.
Find VA Jobs →Entry-Level Friendly
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for a beginner VA?
Do I need certifications to be a VA?
Is VA work a "real career"?
How many hours per week can I expect?
What equipment do I need?
Arielle Phoenix
Mommy Money Founder
Homeschool mother, web asset builder and AI SEO specialist. Arielle knows a thing or two about being a mommy and making money while doing it! From side hustles, to main hustles to full time wfh employment—Arielle has tackled it all.