At a Glance
- If you’re brand new: Start with FlexJobs or Upwork. These platforms have the most entry-level opportunities and don’t require prior VA experience. You’ll build your first client relationships fastest here.
- If you have some professional background: Consider BELAY or Time Etc. They value years of administrative experience and offer more stable, vetted clients. You’ll earn higher starting rates ($19-22/hour minimum).
- Remember that successful VAs don’t jump between platforms chasing quick money. Pick one, specialize in 2-3 skills, build long-term client relationships, and work toward higher-paying roles. Real income growth comes from depth and specialization, not platform hopping.
Becoming a virtual assistant is one of the most beginner-friendly online jobs.
The companies and platforms in this list hire or connect entry-level candidates with legitimate, long-term clients—not short-term task work or one-off gigs.
To make this list, we reviewed:
- Virtual assistant agencies that hire, train, and match assistants with clients for ongoing relationships. These companies were evaluated based on their Glassdoor ratings (4.0 or higher as of November 2025) and overall reputation.
- Remote-work marketplaces such as FlexJobs and Upwork, which don’t hire assistants directly but host large numbers of legitimate VA listings. These platforms were included based on the volume of entry-level opportunities, the quality of job screening, and trust signals of the marketplace itself (like size and reputation).
Each site listed below is beginner-friendly, reputable, and suitable for building real client relationships—not just completing one-off online tasks.
What Is a Virtual Assistant?
A virtual assistant (VA) provides administrative, creative, or technical support to businesses and entrepreneurs from a remote location. Instead of working in an office, you help clients manage their day-to-day tasks online.
Common responsibilities include managing calendars and emails, scheduling meetings, booking travel, updating spreadsheets, posting on social media, and handling customer inquiries.
Some VAs specialize in areas such as bookkeeping, marketing, or project management, while others focus on general administrative support.
According to Indeed, most virtual assistants in the U.S. earn on average $27.05/hour.
However, pay varies significantly based on experience and specialization:
- Entry-level (no experience): $15-18/hour
- 1-3 years experience: $25-30/hour
- Specialized roles (bookkeeping, marketing, project management): $35-50+/hour
Most VA positions are contract-based (1099), meaning you manage your own taxes and benefits.
If you’re new to the field, start by building a few core skills and learning how to manage client relationships. Our guide to becoming a virtual assistant walks through the exact steps, and our virtual assistant training programs review some of the best courses for beginners.
Top Beginner Friendly Sites to Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
The sites below fall into two main categories:
- Virtual assistant agencies that directly hire, train, and match assistants with clients for ongoing work relationships.
- Legitimate hiring platforms that hand-screen job listings and have strong reputations for remote work opportunities — examples include Upwork and FlexJobs.
| Platform | Summary |
| FlexJobs | Zero scams, entry-level opportunities, job security |
| Upwork | Setting your own rates, choosing projects, full control |
| Indeed | Free job searching, high volume of listings, keyword variety |
| Networking with recruiters, unadvertised opportunities, long-term roles | |
| Fiverr | Specialization, passive income, US-based positioning |
| BELAY | Professional background, vetted clients, stable income |
| Time Etc | 5-8 years admin experience, personalized support, high satisfaction |
| Virtual Assist USA | W2 employment, benefits, structured environment, multiple clients |
| Boldly | 7+ years experience, stable long-term employment, premium rates |
#1. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a curated remote job platform that reviews every listing before it’s published.
For virtual assistant job seekers, that means you’ll only see verified openings from legitimate employers rather than low-quality or scam postings.
Most opportunities on FlexJobs involve consistent, client-based work — including part-time, full-time, and contract VA roles — instead of short, one-time projects.
FlexJobs offers a 14-day trial for $2.95, after which the standard plan renews at $24 per month. The subscription fee supports their team of reviewers who manually vet each posting to maintain job quality.
Tips for getting hired:
- Use FlexJobs filters to narrow results by pay, schedule, and company size.
- Turn on alerts for “virtual assistant” or “remote admin” roles so you’re notified of new listings.
- Because all listings are screened, employers here tend to be more responsive and serious about hiring.
Learn more about FlexJobs
#2. Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest freelance marketplaces for all types of freelance work.
Unlike curated job boards, Upwork gives you full control over which clients you pitch to. That means you can choose your projects and set your rates, but you’re also responsible for vetting each opportunity and competing with other freelancers.
For beginners, Upwork can take time to build momentum.
Most new virtual assistants spend a few weeks creating a strong profile and landing their first client. The key is earning a few good reviews early on, which helps your profile appear higher in search results.
Tips for success:
- Focus on quality over quantity when applying. A few personalized proposals will outperform dozens of generic ones.
- Start small. Completing short projects quickly helps you earn feedback faster and move up to higher-paying clients.
Upwork requires more initiative than a traditional job board, but it can grow into a steady income source once you establish a few long-term clients.
Learn more in our guides:
#3. Indeed
Indeed is a massive general job board—not a specialist VA platform.
You’ll find thousands of VA jobs mixed with data entry, customer service, and other remote roles.
Unlike curated boards, Indeed doesn’t pre-screen postings, so you’ll encounter both legitimate opportunities and lower-quality listings.
Indeed is free to use and apply on. There are typically 100+ VA job postings in most U.S. markets at any given time
Tips for success:
- Search with keyword variations to find jobs other applicants miss. Try: “virtual assistant,” “remote admin,” “administrative support,” “executive assistant,” and “office manager.” Use Indeed’s filters to narrow by location and work type (remote, part-time/full-time).
- Read job descriptions carefully and vet the employer. Look for established companies with professional descriptions. Watch out for “make $5,000 from home” style postings—these are often scams.
- When you apply, include a brief cover letter addressing the specific role. Employers get hundreds of applications; show you’ve read the posting and understand their needs.
- Set up job alerts for your chosen keywords so new postings come to your inbox daily. Turn on email notifications so you don’t miss opportunities.
Expect 1-2 weeks to hear back from Indeed postings; response rates are often lower than specialist platforms.
Apply to 5-10 roles weekly to maintain momentum.
#4. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is unique among job boards because it’s a professional networking platform first, job board second.
For VA job seekers, this means two strategies: (1) directly applying to posted VA jobs, and (2) networking with recruiters and hiring managers to find unadvertised opportunities.
Many VA agencies and recruiters actively recruit on LinkedIn, making it a valuable resource—especially if you’re willing to reach out proactively.
LinkedIn is free to use. Premium features are available ($39.99/month) but aren’t necessary to find VA roles.
Tips for success:
- Optimize your profile headline to signal you’re seeking VA work. Instead of just “Administrative Professional,” try “Seeking Virtual Assistant Role | Calendar Management | Email Management | Remote.”
- Write a compelling summary that highlights specific accomplishments. Include keywords like “virtual assistant,” “remote,” “scheduling,” and “email management” so you show up in recruiter searches.
- Use LinkedIn’s Jobs feature to search for “Virtual Assistant” + filter by “Remote” and full-time or part-time. Set up job alerts so new postings come to you.
- Connect with recruiters and VA agencies. Follow their company pages and turn on notifications for job postings. Don’t hesitate to send a thoughtful message to a recruiter: “I’m interested in your VA openings. Here’s why I’d be a good fit…”
- Ask past employers or clients for LinkedIn recommendations. These carry more weight than endorsements and help hiring managers assess your fit.
#5. Fiverr
Fiverr is a seller-driven freelance marketplace where you create service packages (“gigs”) and clients purchase directly from your profile.
Unlike job boards where employers search for you, Fiverr requires you to build visibility through reviews and specialization.
The VA market on Fiverr is highly saturated—there are 33,000+ active VA gigs competing for attention, with most priced between $5-25/hour.
As a beginner with zero reviews, expect low visibility in search results for your first 4-12 weeks. This makes Fiverr slower for beginners compared to curated job boards.
However, if you’re able to position yourself based on your experience—for example, if you’ve worked with real estate agents, Amazon sellers, e-commerce businesses, or specific software platforms like GoHighLevel—you can differentiate yourself, command higher rates ($30-50+/hour), and attract serious clients faster than generic VA sellers (which a lot of the 33,000 results are).
Fiverr charges a 20% service fee on all transactions. If you charge $20/hour, you earn $16 after Fiverr’s cut. Factor this into your pricing strategy.
Tips for success:
- Specialize to stand out. Generic “be your VA” gigs blend into thousands of identical listings priced at $5-10/hour. Instead, offer specialized services: WordPress VA, Bookkeeping VA, Amazon FBA VA, or Social Media Manager. Specialized gigs command 2-3x higher rates ($25-50+/hour). Study the marketplace to find underserved niches in your skill area.
- Target US clients only. US-based clients pay 3-5x more than overseas clients. Fiverr’s marketplace is flooded with low-cost sellers from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Your advantage as a US-based VA is timezone overlap and English fluency. In your gig description, note “Available for US clients” and set expectations for business-hours communication.
- Build volume before expecting sales. New sellers with zero reviews get almost no visibility. Plan for 4-12 weeks before landing your first gig. Use this time to create a professional profile, write compelling gig descriptions, and prepare work samples.
- Position yourself as premium. Use language like “Executive Assistant,” “Professional VA,” or “Experienced Administrative Support.” Premium positioning justifies higher rates and attracts clients willing to pay more.
See also: How to make money on Fiverr.
#6. BELAY
BELAY is a virtual assistant staffing agency that matches remote professionals with vetted clients. Unlike job boards where you search independently, BELAY handles client vetting, matching, invoicing, and payment processing—you focus on the work.
Most BELAY contractors have college education (75%+ with bachelor’s degrees) and bring years of professional experience from various careers. BELAY hires independent contractors (1099) with flexible scheduling and the ability to choose which clients you work with before accepting.
One important requirement: You must have full daytime availability Monday-Friday during business hours. BELAY considers other remote work a conflict of interest, so you can’t work another remote job simultaneously. This is dedicated availability, not project-based work.
Pay starts at $19-22/hour.
You can work as little as 10 hours per week or 40+ hours—it’s your choice.
BELAY provides training, webinars, mentors, and an active contractor community for ongoing support. The application process includes a skills assessment and video interview, typically completed within 1-2 weeks.
Tips for success:
- Highlight years of professional experience in your application—BELAY values contractors with established backgrounds
- Be clear about your availability and preferred hours during the interview
- Expect to be “on-call” for client needs during your committed hours
- Take advantage of BELAY’s webinars and mentorship programs to grow your skills
Belay’s Glassdoor rating is 4.0/5, but reviews are mixed—read recent ones before applying. Common concerns include lower pay than specialized platforms, limited annual raises (~$1/year), no guaranteed paid time off, and a 2-year non-compete with former clients.
#7. Time ETC
Time ETC is a virtual assistant staffing agency that matches experienced remote professionals with vetted clients. Like BELAY, they handle client vetting and matching, but with a smaller, more personalized approach.
You work as a 1099 contractor with flexible scheduling and choose which clients you work with.
Time ETC requires 5-8 years of relevant administrative experience—this can include executive assistant, office manager, administrative coordinator, or similar roles.
Importantly, they don’t require prior VA experience; they’re looking for professionals with solid admin backgrounds transitioning to remote work. They only consider candidates serious about long-term VA work.
Time ETC has been in business since 2007 and has helped over 22,000 clients. Their contractor community is smaller and tighter-knit than larger platforms.
You pick your own workload—some work 10 hours per week, others 40+—and work your own schedule as long as it aligns with client needs.
Pay starts low but increases over time based on client hours and performance. You’re paid monthly. Reviews mention that some clients drop off unexpectedly, which can impact income stability.
Glassdoor rating 4.8 out of 5, with 99% of reviewers saying they would recommend working there. Contractors frequently mention supportive account managers, flexible schedules, and high-quality clients, though some note that starting pay could be higher.
#8. Virtual Assist USA
Virtual Assist USA is a W2 employee position, not a contractor role.
You’re a true employee with benefits (after 6 months for full-time staff), PTO, 401K, and company training.
Virtual Assist USA was founded in 2008 and is a smaller, woman-owned company.
They match remote professionals with multiple clients simultaneously (you might work with up to 10 clients at once).
Key facts:
- Requires bachelor’s degree + 3-5 years admin/EA experience
- W2 employee (not contractor)
- 20-40 hours per week, flexible start times
- Benefits after 6 months: PTO, 401K, wellness packages, training reimbursements
- Work with multiple clients simultaneously
- Smaller company (51-200 employees)
- Glassdoor rating: 4.2/5
The company only has 26 Glassdoor reviews. Common concern is that it takes time to build up to your desired hours initially. Pay competitiveness mentioned as a potential issue in reviews.
#9. Boldly
Boldly is a W2 employment company, not a job board. You apply to Boldly directly to be matched with vetted executive clients for long-term, stable remote work.
Boldly hires experienced administrative professionals (7+ years cumulative admin experience required) and employs them as full-time remote staff supporting executives at established companies.
Best for: Administrative professionals transitioning to remote work. Requires 7+ years in admin roles (office manager, administrative coordinator, executive assistant, etc.)—doesn’t have to be remote or “VA” experience.
Key facts:
- 7+ years administrative experience (various roles acceptable)
- Minimum 20 hours per week during business hours
- Pay: $27-31/hour (non-negotiable)
- W2 employment with benefits
- Application: 3-4 weeks
- Glassdoor: 4.9/5
Companies With Poor Glassdoor Ratings
During our research, we reviewed more than a dozen additional virtual assistant platforms. Several did not meet our inclusion criteria due to low Glassdoor ratings (below 4.0).
Below are a few examples of companies we excluded:
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a High-Paying Virtual Assistant Job
Tip #1: Increase Your Value
Having a few marketable skills can help you land your first virtual assistant jobs. But you shouldn’t stop there if you want to grow your income and your business.
Invest in yourself by taking classes or teaching yourself some highly-marketable skills that will bring in more money. There are even many certifications that require no investment. For example, if you want to become a webmaster for WordPress websites, Google has a free Google Analytics course and certification that can set you apart from other applicants.
You can also ask your employer to provide virtual assistant training. If you learn just one new thing from each of your clients, you’ll expand your knowledge base and your business.
Tip #2: Don’t Market Yourself as a General Virtual Assistant
Don’t limit your search to just general virtual assistant work. It can be very competitive, and you could be missing out on some great opportunities.
Instead, find the skill you have that pays the most, and find a job that can utilize that skill. Don’t put yourself in a box. Branch out. Then, let your new employer know you can handle other tasks.
As you bank more virtual assistant jobs, be thinking about ways to add value for your clients by expanding your skill set and finding what you can offer that not everybody can. Anyone can call themselves a virtual assistant, but if you can say with confidence you’re an SEO expert or that you have experience managing others, you’ll open more doors.
And you’ll earn bigger paychecks because of your specialization.
Tip #3: Specialize in 2 or 3 Skills
It’s good to be a Jack of all trades. But it’s better to have skills fewer people do.
If you can target highly sought-after skills that pay well, and focus on two or three of those, you’re going to take your career to the next level.
Here’s an example of why specialization is important: data entry jobs have a ceiling. You can only earn so much with these jobs, because they can be easily outsourced overseas.
But other skills, such as social media management, can pay very well.
By specializing in high-paying skills, you’ll earn more money for less work. That’ll give you a more satisfying work-life balance.
Final Thoughts
Getting started as a virtual assistant can be one of the most accessible ways to begin working online. Many people land their first opportunity through well-known platforms like FlexJobs or Upwork, where the hiring process tends to move faster than in traditional jobs.
Still, it’s worth approaching this as more than just a quick way to earn money. The most successful virtual assistants treat it like a long-term career—building strong client relationships, developing specialized skills, and continually improving their systems and communication. That growth mindset is what turns short-term gigs into stable, rewarding work that scales over time.
If you’re just getting started, check out our guide on how to write a resume with no experience to help your application stand out. You can also explore our list of legitimate online jobs that are growing in demand and offer similar flexibility to virtual assistant work.
By combining a thoughtful approach with steady skill development, you can build a sustainable remote career—starting small, gaining experience, and moving toward higher-paying, long-term roles.