Survey of 147 Virtual Assistants Reveals Useful Insights (2024)

We surveyed 147 virtual assistants (VAs) across six continents to determine exactly who they are, how much they earn, and how they work.

Our survey included 43 insightful questions to get a clear look into the strategies, struggles, and lifestyles of this interesting group of online workers.

Key Findings From The Survey

Here’s a summary of some of the most interesting takeaways and statistics:

👉 97% of virtual assistants are female. We knew it was a woman-dominated industry, but didn’t expect it to be this high.

👉 VAs from the Philippines charge an average of 3x less per hour ($11.33) than VAs from the US ($35.61). It’s no wonder why it’s such a popular destination for outsourcing.

👉 Businesses save an average of 67% in operating costs by outsourcing work to a virtual assistant. The cost of hiring an in-person employee doesn’t make financial sense if their tasks can be done virtually.

👉 The average hourly rate is $33 per hour for VAs whose only source of income is virtual assistance. This drops to $29 per hour for VAs with multiple income sources and split attention.

👉 Virtual assistants with only a high school diploma charge an average of $3 per hour more than those with a four-year degree, showing that success in this industry doesn’t require formal education.

👉 Virtual assistants who use AI earn an average of $694 more per month than those who don’t use AI.

👉 Virtual assistants who use AI as much as possible save an average of 8 hours of work per week. So staying up-to-date with tech can essentially cut an entire day from each work week.

👉 52% of virtual assistants are unconcerned about AI threatening their job security, and only 3% are very concerned. This indicates an overall positive sentiment towards AI.

👉 37% of virtual assistants found their first client through their existing in-person network. This is nearly 5x higher than the number of VAs who found their first client using popular online job boards like Upwork (8%).

👉 84% of virtual assistants are satisfied with their job. This is likely due to the high level of flexibility, autonomy, and opportunity for career advancement.

👉 57% of virtual assistants work 20 hours or less per week, indicating that it’s often a side gig to boost income.

About This Virtual Assistant Survey

We surveyed 147 online workers around the world who identify themselves as virtual assistants.

The majority of respondents are virtual assistants living in the United States, but we received responses from all over the world.

These worldwide responses gave interesting insights into how virtual assistant income, demographics, and trends can vary significantly based on location.

We found our participants in virtual assistant Facebook groups, Discord, and Reddit. We also promoted our survey in virtual assistant email newsletters associated with various virtual assistant courses.

Because of this, about a quarter of participants were fully-trained VAs with a few months of work experience. That said, all experience levels were represented in our survey results.

Study Limitation: This slight skew toward newly trained virtual assistants may affect responses involving hourly rates, working hours, strategies, and struggles. On one hand, new VAs likely have lower rates and emptier work schedules. On the other hand, VAs who’ve graduated from training programs are likely to have higher rates and busier schedules. So these two influences potentially cancel each other out.

97% of Virtual Assistants Identify as Female

Our studies found that women dominate the virtual assistant world.

Virtual assisting provides an opportunity to balance parenting responsibilities with professional work, as it offers the flexibility to work remotely and set schedules.

We also found that most courses and virtual assistant communities are marketed specifically towards women, reinforcing the perception of virtual assisting as a female-dominated profession.

This targeted marketing may attract more women to explore virtual assisting as a career option, while simultaneously discouraging men who may not feel as represented or welcomed in the industry.

Over Half of VAs Have Kids

A substantial portion of VAs are family-oriented, with 51% having a family of three or more members and 25% married with a family of two.

This indicates that many VAs may be seeking flexible work arrangements to better balance their professional and family responsibilities.

The idea that 45% of virtual assistants are married suggests a degree of personal stability within the workforce.

Overall, these statistics show that a virtual assistant career can fit into pretty much any type of lifestyle and dynamic.

47% of Virtual Assistants Are 40 Years or Older

Our data shows that a little less than half of virtual assistants are over age 40. This is in stark contrast with data from Zippia that reports 78% are over age 40.

One possible explanation for this discrepancy is the survey samples.

Zippia is an online job board where an older demographic is likely to look for work. Whereas the younger VAs from our sample spend more time in virtual assistant social media groups like Facebook, Discord, and Reddit.

Either way, the data indicates that virtual assistance is a viable profession for any age group thanks to its flexibility — whether it’s a university student working during free time, stay-at-home parents earning from home, or seniors looking to supplement their retirement income.

66% of Virtual Assistants Hold College Degrees

The majority of VAs have pursued higher education, with 40% holding a 4-year degree and 16% possessing a post-graduate degree.

The VA profession attracts people with all educational backgrounds, suggesting that the types of skills and roles available range from basic to advanced.

That said, only 6% of VAs have a high school diploma as their highest level of education. This implies that formal education is not necessary, but it may set an important foundation and help give VAs confidence and awareness of different opportunities.

It’ll be interesting to see how this data evolves in future generations that have been tech-literate from childhood.

VAs With No College Earn $3 Per Hour More Than Those With 4-Year Degrees

Virtual assistants with a post-graduate degree charge slightly higher rates, but there is no clear trend that more formal education equals higher earnings as a VA.

This could be because “make money online” skills aren’t necessarily the same as “university skills.”

In fact, our data shows that a third of virtual assistants self-taught themselves the skills they offer their clients. 

Surprisingly, VAs with only a high school degree earned an average of $3 more per hour than those with a four-year degree.

One explanation for this might be because high school-only VAs report working significantly more hours per week on their business than those with higher education.

This indicates that university-educated VAs often treat their business as a side hustle, whereas the high school-only VAs go all in.

Another possible explanation is that since only 6% of our sample had no college experience, they may be the exceptional outliers.

In other words, this 6% may not represent your average high school-only graduate. Rather, it could be the entrepreneurial go-getters who preferred to build their own business over sitting in a classroom.

Regardless, individuals across education levels can achieve competitive earnings through efficient work practices and leveraging their expertise in the VA profession.

89% of VAs Are Independent Contractors

The majority of virtual assistants are independent contractors because it’s cheaper for employers. They don’t have to pay for office space, equipment, sick days, vacation time, or insurance.

Because of this, virtual assistants need to make sure they charge more than they would expect as employees.

For more data on how employers feel about VAs, see these virtual assistant statistics.

72% of Virtual Assistants Charge By The Hour

Charging by the hour may be the most common payment structure, but it isn’t necessarily the best structure.

This is because it essentially penalizes VAs for increasing their efficiency.

Another popular payment structure that half of VAs use is a monthly retainer. This involves ongoing support and services for a fixed monthly fee, which offers a more stable and predictable income.

Meanwhile, 34% of VAs use project-based payment structures, negotiating a fee for a specific set of tasks.

While more unpredictable, this payment structure can also be the most profitable for efficient workers.

That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, which is why 56% of VAs use different payment structures with different clients.

Project-Based VAs Earn More Money Working Fewer Hours

This comparison suggests that VAs who use project-based payment structures tend to yield higher monthly earnings compared to retainers and hourly rates.

However, it’s important to note that the total hours worked differ slightly among VAs using different payment structures, which could influence the perceived earnings.

Our study shows that virtual assistants who worked hourly or via a monthly retainer averaged 22 hours per week, while project-based VAs earned more by working an average of just 19 hours.

The preference for one method over another may vary depending on factors such as individual work habits, client needs, and industry standards.

For example, those who prefer a steady income and long-term client relationships may find monthly retainers more appealing, while others who enjoy varied projects and the potential for higher earnings may prefer project-based payment structures.

Experience level can also play a role in determining which payment structure is more advantageous.

Seasoned virtual assistants with established client bases and efficient workflows may find monthly retainers beneficial for stable income and client retention.

In contrast, those newer to the field may opt for hourly rates or project-based payments to accommodate varying workloads and gain experience across different projects and clients.

Ultimately, the best payment structure depends on individual circumstances, preferences, and career goals.

41% of VAs Already Had the Skills Necessary to Start VA Work

Almost half of the virtual assistants surveyed said they didn’t have to learn any new skills to become a virtual assistant.

It’s important to mention that becoming a virtual assistant requires two skill sets.

The first is the skill or service the VA offers the client.

The second is the skills of actually running your own business (e.g. marketing, negotiating, managing clients, administration, bookkeeping, etc.).

Our results show that there is a high demand for entry-level VA services — tasks like email and calendar management are often the first to be outsourced.

These aren’t the highest-paying opportunities — and they are easily replaceable — but there are essentially zero barriers to entry.

Interestingly, the hardest skill for a new virtual assistant usually isn’t the service they offer to clients — it’s the business-owner side of things.

This isn’t a skill most people naturally have, which is why VA training programs can be so useful.

Over Half of Virtual Assistants (54%) Have Done Work For Free

Offering free work allows VAs to demonstrate their skills, gain experience, and establish a reputation in the industry.

Interestingly, formally trained virtual assistants make up 47% of those VAs who have worked for free. So it seems to be a common portfolio-building practice no matter how the VA is trained.

On one hand, it’s understandable for potential clients to want proof that a VA knows what they’re doing — especially since anyone on the internet can call themselves a virtual assistant.

On the other hand, this free work should be kept to a minimum to avoid getting taken advantage of.

VAs Are 2x More Successful Finding Their First Client Via Their Existing In-Person Network

This data suggests that leveraging existing networks is the most effective method for virtual assistants to find their first clients.

In fact, new VAs are twice as likely to get their first gig from their existing network than they are with any other client-getting strategy.

This makes perfect sense, and it’s actually a smart way to get around the “free work” conundrum. If your first client already knows and trusts you (or trusts the person who recommended you), then you’re less likely to need additional proof.

This is also a reason why paid courses can be so useful for brand-new VAs. It allows you to quickly build your network in the VA community.

Perhaps even more interesting is that only 8% of respondents found their first client on freelancing platforms like Upwork.

Cold Outreach and Freelancing Platforms Are The Least Effective Ways to Find Virtual Assistant Clients

Our data shows that certain client-hunting strategies are significantly more effective than others.

For example, over half of VAs have attempted to find clients on freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, but only 8% have actually been successful.

The same goes for cold outreach — almost a third of VAs have tried it, but essentially zero VAs have landed a client this way.

Using this data, virtual assistants can use the 80/20 Rule to fine-tune their client-getting strategies.

It’s clear that cold outreach and Upwork proposals are not the best use of time.

Instead, if VAs focus that time on building their network and nurturing strategic relationships, they’ll likely be surprised how clients start effortlessly falling into their laps.

Only 17% of Virtual Assistants Create a Website For Their Business

Some VAs may struggle to find clients because they think they need to create a website for their business for it to be legit. But the data shows this is not the case.

It appears as though virtual assistants use a wide range of methods to showcase their experience and skills to potential clients.

In the end, clients usually don’t care about fancy websites (unless they’re hiring a web designer).

All they want to see is evidence that you’re capable of doing what they need you to do.

The best way to do this depends on the services you’re offering, but the takeaway is clear — if you want to land more clients, spend less time obsessing over the perfect portfolio design and more time building relationships.

Over 57% of VAs Have Additional Income Sources Outside of VA Work

Virtual assistance can certainly be a full-time career, but most VAs have multiple income streams.

There is also a correlation between the number of income sources a VA has and their average hourly earnings.

Overall, virtual assistants charge $31.48 per hour on average.

Individuals who rely solely on VA work as their only source of income earn an average of $33 per hour, while those with multiple income sources earn $29 per hour.

This suggests that VAs who devote more time to their business tend to command higher hourly rates compared to those who view VA work as a supplementary source of income.

What’s even more interesting is that despite these seemingly high hourly rates, only 5% of VAs report earning over $5,000 per month. This agrees with our data showing that most VAs aren’t working full-time.

And for those who are working full time, they aren’t billing for all of their hours.

57% of Virtual Assistants Work 20 Hours or Less Per Week

When asked how many hours were spent on their VA business each week, the responses were nearly equal for every time range.

This shows just how flexible virtual assistant work can be. No matter how many extra hours you have in your schedule, you can find a VA arrangement that works for you.

The Biggest Issue VAs Deal With is Inconsistent Income (29%)

Our data shows that virtual assistants face a wide range of challenges in their work.

This chart shows the one biggest problem VAs face in their business — inconsistent income.

This chart doesn’t take into account that most VAs struggle with many of these problems, not just one.

For example, 47% of VAs struggle to price their services appropriately, while 33% find it challenging to effectively manage their workload between multiple clients and projects.

“Scope Creep” Is The Biggest Issue VAs Have With Their Clients (21%)

A virtual assistant’s clients can make a huge difference in their work satisfaction.

The biggest client issue is scope creep, where a client “creeps” in more and more work, without adjusting pay.

That said, the biggest client issues are divided somewhat evenly, showing that your experience can be totally different from one client to the next.

These challenges are more likely to occur with new VAs due to a lack of established protocols for managing client expectations, negotiating contracts, and ensuring timely payments. 

However, as virtual assistants gain experience and refine their communication skills (and know what red flags to look for and when to put their foot down), they are better equipped to navigate these issues and establish more effective working relationships with clients. 

Ultimately, proactive communication, clear agreements, and transparent expectations are essential for minimizing these common challenges and fostering successful work arrangements.

30% of Virtual Assistants Do Not Track Their Time

Time-tracking is one of the most effective ways to identify and protect yourself from scope creep, unreasonable client expectations, and fair pay.

That’s why it’s surprising to see that nearly a third of virtual assistants do not track their work hours.

If you don’t track your time, you don’t know your hourly rate or how much time you’re spending on non-billable tasks.

And with free tools like Toggl — used by 41% of virtual assistants — there’s really no excuse not to.

Hiring a Virtual Assistant Can Reduce Operating Costs by 67%

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for secretaries and administrative assistants is $46,010 per year.

But this doesn’t include the cost of:

• Paid sick leave. The average employee takes seven paid sick days per year, according to the BLS, which costs $1,239.
• Vacation days. The average employee with less than five years of experience takes 11 paid vacation days per year, totaling $1,947.
• Office space. The average U.S. employee uses 150 square feet of office space, and — according to a recent Commercial Edge real estate report — the average national office space costs $37.66 per square foot. That equates to $5,649 per employee.
• Computer, desk, chair, and office supplies. Costs are quality-dependent, but a budget of $2,250 is reasonable for mid-level quality equipment.
• Insurance. Typically companies with over 50 employees are required to offer insurance (location-dependent).

That’s an extra $11,085 in operating costs on top of the salary, bringing the total to $57,095. These extra costs are not required when hiring a virtual assistant on a contract basis.

Compare that to the average hourly rate of English-speaking Filipinos in our study. They charged $11.33 per hour, which equates to an annual salary of $25,379 (if you include the “13th-month pay” bonus, which is customary in their culture).

Filipinos are perfectly capable of virtual assisting tasks, and compared to a local in-person employee, they can save businesses an average of 66%.

Study limitation: “Secretaries and administrative assistants” do not have the exact same job responsibilities as virtual assistants, but it is the closest match that the BLS has data on.

These savings could be even higher for businesses in high-cost-of-living areas or those who find a virtual assistant who charges less than average.

While our sample shows virtual assistants in the Philippines charge an average of $11.33 per hour, a quick search on Filipino freelancing sites like OnlineJobs.ph shows 10,000+ jobseekers who charge as little as $3 to $5 per hour. 

Some find these rates controversial, but it’s more than double the country’s minimum wage.

Over 75% of VAs Have Used or Are Interested in Using AI

AI is completely changing the virtual assistant industry, and VAs are starting to take advantage of it.

Twenty-five percent are already using it as much as possible, and half of VAs have tinkered and want to learn more.

By cross-analyzing these responses with income data, we found that virtual assistants who use AI as much as possible earn an average of $694 per month more than those who don’t use AI.

This is likely because AI allows VAs to do more work in less time.

52% of Virtual Assistants Are Unconcerned About AI Threatening Their Job Security

It’s no secret that AI has been replacing lower-level gigs, yet only 3% of virtual assistants reported being very concerned about AI’s effect on their job security.

This may be because our survey sample skewed towards younger VAs, which could imply more tech literacy.

It seems as though most VAs view AI as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Entry-level virtual assistants are more likely to see AI as a threat because their work is easier to replace.

For more job security, VAs can upskill and learn how to harness new tech to meet their client’s needs.

Virtual Assistants Who Use AI as Much as Possible Save 8 Hours of Work Per Week

One reason AI-using VAs tend to earn more is because they’re using technology to automate manual tasks.

This saves them an average of eight hours per week, essentially adding an extra free day to their week.

It’s likely that time saved with AI is directly tied to how much a VA actually uses it.

Tinkerers save a few hours, while power users save 10 hours or more per week.

That said, 28% of VAs still have never used AI at work, and they’re not benefiting from this time-saving opportunity.

Overall, 90% of Virtual Assistants Like or Love AI

Even though a quarter of VAs have yet to incorporate AI into their workflow, most of these VAs still seem to have positive feelings towards AI in general.

Only 1 in 10 virtual assistants have negative feelings toward AI. It’ll be interesting to see how these numbers change as AI advances.

84% of Virtual Assistants Are Satisfied With Their Jobs

The overwhelming majority of virtual assistants are happy with their careers.

This is likely due to the flexibility, opportunity for growth, and autonomy that virtual assistants enjoy.

On the other hand, it’s not perfect. Fifteen percent of VAs are unsatisfied, and this may be due to some of the big struggles covered in this study, like inconsistent income and scope creep.