Virtual Assistant Jobs: Where to Find Them and How to Get Hired

By the SOJI editorial team · Reviewed 19 October 2026

A virtual assistant (VA) is a remote contractor who handles admin, scheduling, messages or light research for a business owner, usually paid by the hour or by retainer, not a salary. Most VAs start with basic admin work and move into specialized services like inbox and calendar care, customer support, bookkeeping, or social media, once they build a track record.

Key takeaways

• VA pay spans a wide range because "virtual assistant" covers everything from simple data entry to specialized bookkeeping or project work. Check each listing's actual task list before you assume a rate.
• Freelance marketplaces and dedicated remote-job boards are the two main places to find VA work, and each trades off volume against vetting.
• A short, specific portfolio (even three sample tasks you've done for free or for a past employer) beats a generic "I can do anything" pitch.
• Treat "no experience needed, start earning today" listings as a yellow flag. See /blog/how-to-verify-a-remote-job-is-real.

Where virtual assistant roles are actually posted

Three channels cover most real demand.

Freelance marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr-style sites). You bid on posted jobs, or you build a public profile and clients find you directly. Volume is high, but so is price competition. New accounts often take lower rates on the first few contracts just to build reviews.

General job boards and remote boards. Postings here look more like a normal part-time role with one employer, not a one-off task. Pay is usually a quoted hourly rate, not a per-project bid. Check the listing's company and location rules first to save time. See /blog/remote-jobs-by-us-state-location-rules-and-eligibility if it names specific states.

Referrals and niche groups. VAs who pick a niche (real estate support, online store management, podcast production) often get repeat work by word of mouth once they've done a few jobs well. This path is slower to start but has the least price competition.

What actually gets you hired

Hiring managers reading a stack of VA applications mostly look for a few clear signals, not general enthusiasm:

1. A narrow pitch. "I manage inboxes and calendars for busy founders, and I've used Gmail, Calendly and Notion daily for two years" beats "I can handle any admin task."
2. Named tools. List the real software you use, such as Google Workspace, Slack, QuickBooks, Asana, or a specific CRM, not "proficient in office software."
3. Clear availability. Time zone overlap is one of the first things a hiring manager checks. See /blog/time-zones-and-remote-jobs-what-to-check-before-you-apply.
4. A short trial task done well. Many real VA roles start with a small paid or unpaid test task. Treat it as the actual interview.

Pay and how to check a listing is real

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks secretaries and administrative assistants, the closest official match for general VA work (BLS, 2025). Its 2025 figure puts median pay at $48,310 a year in the United States. The agency expects jobs in this field to shrink slightly through 2035, even as it counts hundreds of thousands of openings a year from people leaving the role. That number covers US, mostly in-office jobs. Remote and international VA rates swing a lot by task type, client location and pay structure, so use this figure as a reference point, not a target.

Before you apply anywhere, check the listing is still open and the company is real. Look at the poster's history on the platform. Search the company name plus "scam" or "review." Check it against the FTC's job-scam guide too (FTC, 2026). Never pay an "onboarding fee." Never buy gear through a link the employer sends you. See /blog/legitimate-remote-job-boards-vs-scams-how-to-tell-the-difference.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a certification to become a virtual assistant?

No. Most VA roles need no formal certificate. Clients care more about proof you're reliable: references, a small sample of past work, or a clean trial task, more than any credential.

How much should I charge as a new VA?

There's no single verified market rate for freelance VA work. It depends a lot on the task, the client's budget and your location. Start by checking several real listings for the tasks you want to do, rather than relying on one average figure.

Can I do virtual assistant work alongside a full-time job?

Many people start this way, taking marketplace gigs or a few hours a week with one client. Check your employer's policy on outside work first, if one applies to you.

Limitations

The pay figure above is US Bureau of Labor Statistics data for the closest official job category (secretaries and administrative assistants). It covers US employment broadly, not remote freelance VA contracts specifically. Treat any platform's own earnings claims as marketing unless they link to real, dated data.

Sources and further reading

• BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants: duties, pay and job outlook for secretaries and administrative assistants (United States)
• FTC: Job Scams: how to spot and avoid job scams

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