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How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Make in 2024? A Clear Pay Guide

  • Writer: DM Monticello
    DM Monticello
  • Jun 5
  • 7 min read


What Is a Virtual Assistant and What Do They Do?

A virtual assistant (VA) is a remote professional who helps businesses and entrepreneurs with a variety of tasks. From administrative support and calendar management to customer service, social media, or bookkeeping, VAs play a critical role in daily business operations—without needing to be physically present in an office.


Common Virtual Assistant Tasks

Virtual assistants perform a wide range of duties, including:

  • Email and calendar management

  • Data entry and CRM updates

  • Customer service support

  • Scheduling meetings or appointments

  • Social media posting and monitoring

  • Bookkeeping and invoice management

Some specialize in specific areas like real estate, medical transcription, or e-commerce.

For more detailed examples, see What Do Virtual Assistants Do?


Industries Hiring Virtual Assistants

Virtual assistants are no longer limited to small businesses. Today, VAs serve:

  • Marketing agencies

  • Real estate firms

  • Healthcare providers

  • E-commerce brands

  • Tech startups

  • Law firms

These industries often benefit from cost-effective staffing through global hiring.


Full-Time vs. Part-Time vs. Freelance Work

Many virtual assistants work freelance, offering services to multiple clients. Others are hired part-time or full-time by a single company. Freelancers often have more flexibility but may earn less consistently, whereas full-time VAs enjoy stable income and benefits.


Virtual Assistant Pay: A Breakdown by Type and Role

The salary of a virtual assistant varies greatly depending on their role, specialization, and experience. Here’s a breakdown of average rates based on role:


General Administrative VAs

These VAs handle everyday office support tasks. Their pay range is:

  • $7–$20/hour offshore

  • $20–$35/hour in the U.S.

Demystifying Virtual Assistant Pay Rates explains more about why these ranges vary.


Executive Assistants

Executive virtual assistants manage complex calendars, coordinate team communication, and often handle confidential materials. They tend to earn more:

  • $10–$25/hour offshore

  • $30–$50/hour U.S.-based

Check out The Surprising Power of US Virtual Assistants to understand their value.


Specialized VAs

VAs who focus on technical or niche skills usually earn more:

  • Social Media Manager VA: $15–$50/hour

  • Medical Virtual Assistant: $10–$35/hour

  • E-commerce Product Listing VA: $8–$30/hour


Project-Based vs. Ongoing Work

Short-term contracts often command a higher rate but may not be consistent. Ongoing support roles tend to pay slightly lower but offer job stability.


How Location Impacts VA Salaries

U.S.-Based Virtual Assistant Pay

VAs located in the United States typically charge:

  • $25–$60/hour

  • $3,500–$7,500/month (full-time)

These higher rates reflect the cost of living and advanced communication skills. Many businesses hire domestically for sensitive or client-facing roles.


Pay Rates in the Philippines, Latin America, and Eastern Europe

Outsourcing to lower-cost regions is common. Example rates:

  • Philippines: $4–$12/hour

  • Latin America: $7–$15/hour

  • Eastern Europe: $10–$20/hour

Many U.S. companies rely on high-quality, English-speaking assistants in these regions for affordable, skilled support. Explore more at Virtual Assistants in the Philippines


Onshore vs. Offshore Cost Comparison

While offshore rates are lower, they often come with time zone, cultural, or language trade-offs. Onshore assistants are easier to manage but more expensive. Businesses must weigh cost vs. control.

Why Hire a Virtual Assistant dives into this decision.


Key Factors That Affect VA Income

Experience and Skills

Like any job, seasoned professionals earn more. A beginner VA may start at $5–$10/hour offshore, while a veteran specialist can command $30+/hour.


Certifications and Tools Used

Knowing tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Canva, or Trello can significantly boost rates. Specialized certifications in project management or healthcare also add value.


Client Type and Industry

Startups often pay less than well-funded businesses or agencies. U.S.-based or international corporations typically have higher budgets for outsourcing support roles.


Platform vs. Direct Hiring

VAs hired through platforms often pay fees, reducing their take-home pay. Direct contracts via referrals or private agencies yield better rates and job security.


How to Increase Your Virtual Assistant Income

Whether you're new to the field or already experienced, there are several ways to increase your earnings as a virtual assistant in 2024.


Upskilling and Niche Specialization

Specialized skills lead to higher-paying roles. VAs who master a niche like SEO, email marketing, healthcare administration, or bookkeeping often earn twice as much as generalists. Consider training in:

  • Social media strategy (e.g., Meta Ads, TikTok growth)

  • Project management tools (Asana, Monday.com)

  • CRM platforms (HubSpot, Salesforce)

  • E-commerce systems (Shopify, Amazon Seller Central)

Investing in certifications or niche experience pays off in the long term. Learn more in The Ultimate Guide to Become a Virtual Assistant


Building a Portfolio and Client Trust

Top-earning VAs showcase:

  • Client testimonials

  • Detailed case studies

  • Work samples (graphics, content, schedules, etc.)

Trust increases your ability to charge premium rates. For guidance, visit Find Your Dream Job as a Virtual Executive Assistant


Choosing the Right Region and Niche

Certain markets are willing to pay more for specific services. For example:

  • U.S. healthcare businesses pay well for VAs who understand HIPAA compliance.

  • E-commerce agencies in Australia or the U.K. value Amazon specialists.

  • SaaS companies often seek tech-savvy executive assistants.

VAs who align their services with these regional and industry-specific needs tend to earn more consistently.


Average Pay Ranges for VAs in 2024

Let's break down what virtual assistants can realistically earn in today’s remote economy:

Hourly Rates

Role Type

Offshore (Philippines, LATAM)

U.S.-Based

General Admin VA

$5–$10

$25–$35

Executive Assistant VA

$10–$25

$30–$50

Social Media VA

$8–$20

$25–$45

Bookkeeping/Finance VA

$10–$20

$35–$55

Medical/Legal Transcription

$12–$30

$40–$60

Explore related insights at How Much Do Virtual Assistants Make


Monthly Income

Freelance virtual assistants working full-time often earn:

  • $800–$1,500/month offshore

  • $3,500–$6,000/month U.S.-based

Top earners working with multiple clients or agencies can exceed $7,000/month depending on their niche and workload.


Annual Earnings Potential

A skilled VA with multiple clients or specialized skills could earn:

  • $10,000–$18,000/year offshore (entry-mid level)

  • $40,000–$75,000/year U.S.-based

  • $90,000+/year for top-tier executive or niche VAs working with high-budget clients


Is Becoming a Virtual Assistant Worth It in 2024?

For many professionals, becoming a virtual assistant offers a high level of flexibility, work-life balance, and income potential.


Flexibility and Growth

Remote work continues to grow. Virtual assistant roles allow people to:

  • Work from anywhere

  • Set their own hours

  • Choose clients that align with their values

  • Develop entrepreneurial skills

Whether you're freelancing or working through a platform, the opportunities are vast. See more in Why Hire a Virtual Assistant


Comparing VA Work to Traditional Jobs

Virtual assistance offers better:

  • Autonomy and time control

  • Geographic freedom

  • Low startup cost (just a computer and internet)

While it may lack traditional benefits, the trade-off is independence. Curious how others are finding success? Explore A Guide for Success in Virtual Assistant Jobs


Real Examples and Case Studies

Some VAs transition into agency founders, earning six figures. Others work part-time while pursuing education or raising families.


What Tools Do High-Earning Virtual Assistants Use?

In today’s digital landscape, tools can make or break a virtual assistant’s workflow. Top-performing VAs don’t just know how to execute tasks—they know how to use software to work faster, smarter, and more efficiently. Mastery of these tools can directly impact income.


Communication & Collaboration Tools

  • Slack – Used for real-time team messaging

  • Zoom – Video conferencing for remote teams

  • Google Workspace – Gmail, Calendar, Docs, and Sheets integration

  • Trello or Asana – Task management and project tracking


Admin & Scheduling Software

  • Calendly – For managing appointments and syncing calendars

  • Notion – A powerful all-in-one workspace for notes, databases, and task tracking

  • Microsoft Office Suite – Especially Excel and Outlook for enterprise teams

VAs who master these tools become more valuable to clients and often earn premium rates.


How to Build a Career Path as a Virtual Assistant

Becoming a VA is just the beginning. High-earners often grow into leadership or agency roles. Here's a typical VA career roadmap:

  1. Beginner (0–1 year): Learn the ropes with general admin tasks and part-time gigs

  2. Skilled VA (1–3 years): Specialize in a niche, raise rates, and take on long-term clients

  3. Senior VA (3–5 years): Manage multiple accounts, train junior VAs, or lead projects

  4. Agency Owner or Manager: Hire and manage a team, offering services to enterprise clients

Learn how to grow a VA business with content like How to Manage Virtual Assistants or How to Build a Team


Interview Questions to Ask When Hiring a VA

If you're a business looking to hire a VA, asking the right questions ensures a better match:

  • What tools are you most comfortable using?

  • Have you worked with clients in [your industry]?

  • How do you handle overlapping deadlines or conflicting priorities?

  • Can you share a success story from a past role?


How OpsArmy Helps VAs and Businesses Thrive

The rise of remote work has made virtual assistants a permanent fixture in modern business. Whether you’re hiring or becoming one, the key is understanding value—what services are needed, how to deliver them effectively, and how to price them fairly.

Businesses are now integrating VAs not just as support staff, but as strategic partners across marketing, operations, finance, and more. With the right skills, tools, and mindset, a virtual assistant career in 2024 can be flexible, profitable, and deeply rewarding.


At OpsArmy, our mission is to make hiring top talent simple, efficient, and affordable—for both businesses and virtual assistants.

We help:

  • Businesses find pre-vetted VAs from top global markets

  • Virtual assistants gain access to fair-paying, long-term roles

  • Teams scale faster by matching with specialists across admin, marketing, finance, and customer support

Whether you're looking to hire a virtual assistant or become one, OpsArmy provides the support, infrastructure, and training needed to succeed in today’s fast-changing work environment.


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