You don’t need a degree, a corporate background, or years of office experience to start earning as a virtual assistant. Many experienced VAs earn $25–$50/hour remotely — more per hour than traditional office admin roles, without the commute.
The problem is most lists online hand you 20+ company names with zero context — no honest pay rates, no experience requirements, no sense of which ones are actually worth your time. I included pay ranges, public employee reviews, state restrictions, and reported drawbacks where available — because remote job listings aren’t all equal, and beginners deserve realistic expectations before spending hours applying.
This guide is especially useful for moms looking for flexible remote work, but the companies below hire a wide range of applicants. Some hire complete beginners. Others pay premium rates for experienced admins. I’ve organized them by standout strengths so you don’t waste time applying blindly.
Throughout this guide, “beginner-friendly” means little to no prior VA experience required — not necessarily easy to land.
The goal here isn’t applying to all 23 companies — it’s finding your first realistic fit and building momentum from there.
What Is a Virtual Assistant — and Is It Right for You?
A virtual assistant is someone who provides remote support to business owners, executives, or entrepreneurs. That support can include managing email, scheduling appointments, handling social media, conducting research, or managing customer communication depending on your strengths.
Most VAs communicate through email, Slack, Zoom, and project management tools while managing recurring client tasks. It’s structured remote work — not passive income.
Clients expect responsiveness, deadlines, and professionalism — even in part-time roles. Flexible doesn’t always mean asynchronous. Many clients still expect replies during business hours, and if you’re juggling multiple clients, scheduling overlap is a real consideration.
That said, the appeal is genuine. Most VA roles don’t require 9–5 availability, you work from home, and demand from business owners is consistently high.
If you’re still weighing your options, our post on small business ideas for women to make money from home covers other directions worth considering alongside VA work.
What Can You Earn as a Virtual Assistant?
According to Indeed, the average virtual assistant in the US earns roughly $17–$40/hour, while specialized or executive-level VAs can earn $75/hour or more.
If you’re starting without prior VA experience, expect to spend 2–4 weeks applying before landing your first client. That timeline is normal. Starting small and building proof of reliability is the fastest path to higher-paying roles over time.
W-2 or 1099 — What’s the Difference?
The companies on this list hire through two arrangements, and the distinction matters.
W-2 employee roles offer more stability — consistent hours, possible benefits like paid time off or health coverage, and taxes withheld automatically from your paycheck.
1099 independent contractor roles offer more flexibility — you control your schedule and often your client load — but you’re responsible for setting aside money for self-employment taxes each quarter.
Neither is inherently better. It depends on what you need right now.
Do You Need Experience?
Some companies require 3–7 years of admin experience. Others hire with no prior VA background at all. I’ve flagged the most beginner-accessible options clearly below.
One important note — beginner-friendly companies still receive large numbers of applications. Strong written communication, fast response times, and attention to detail matter more than formal credentials when you’re starting out.
A Quick Note Before You Apply: Legitimate VA companies will never ask you to pay upfront fees, purchase equipment through them, or cash checks on their behalf. If a listing includes any of those requests, it’s a scam. The 23 companies below are established, verifiable employers.
Pay rates and Glassdoor ratings listed here were current at the time of writing but can change — verify directly on each company’s site before applying.
At a Glance — Which Company Fits You?
| Company | Beginner-Friendly | Pay Range | Experience Required | W-2 or 1099 | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boldly | No | $30/hour | 7+ years | W-2 | Highest pay + benefits |
| Hey Girl Friday | No | $30/hour | 3+ years | 1099 | Stable long-term work |
| Worxbee | No | $26+/hour | 5+ years | 1099 | You choose your clients |
| BELAY | No | $20–$35/hour | Experience req. | 1099 | Most recognized agency |
| Time Etc | No | $17/hour | 5–8 years | 1099 | Flexible part-time |
| InboxDone | Yes | $17/hour | None required | 1099 | No resume needed |
| Fancy Hands | Yes | $3–$7/task | None | 1099 | Portfolio builder |
| Elite VA (EVA) | No | Unlisted, grows | 5+ years | 1099 | Pay raises every 6 months |
| Byron | No | $20–$28/hour | 5+ years | 1099 | No minimum hours |
| Great Assistant | No | $20–$25/hour | 3+ years | W-2 or 1099 | Straightforward process |
| Headroom | No | $40,000–$60,000/year | 2+ years | W-2 | Full salary + home setup |
| Peachtree VA | No | $22/hour | 2+ years | 1099 | Skills-tested quality |
| My VA Rocks | No | $20/hour | 5+ years | 1099 | Widest state coverage |
| VaVa Virtual | No | Unlisted | 2–5 years | 1099 | Multiple specialties |
| Boutique COO | No | Unlisted | Not listed | 1099 | Creative industry clients |
| She’s a Given | No | Unlisted | 3+ years | 1099 | No hour minimums |
| Virtual Assist USA | No | $17/hour | 5+ years | W-2 | Benefits after 6 months |
| Equivity | No | Unlisted | 3+ years | W-2 | Legal + executive track |
| Team Delegate | No | Unlisted | 3+ years | 1099 | Daytime flexibility |
| Rivvly | Yes* | Unlisted | 6 months | 1099 | Low experience bar |
| Zirtual | No | $1,500–$3,800/month | 4 years with degree / 7 without | 1099 | Predictable monthly pay |
| Lucia by Tern | No | Unlisted | Industry exp. | 1099 | Travel niche |
| COYL | No | Unlisted | Varies | 1099 | 5-state focus |
*Rivvly has a low experience bar but a low Indeed rating — research carefully before applying.
23 Virtual Assistant Companies Worth Your Time
These aren’t ranked strictly best-to-worst — they’re organized by standout strengths and fit so you can find your match faster.
1. Boldly — Best Pay on This Entire List
Experience level: Experienced only
Boldly pays $30/hour starting — the highest floor of any company on this list. These are W-2 employee positions, which means you get paid time off, a technology stipend, and consistent hours. They hire executive assistants, marketing assistants, and bilingual assistants across 49 states, excluding Hawaii and Washington DC.
The requirement is real — you need at least 7 years of administrative experience. This is not an entry point. But if you have that background, Boldly is one of the most respected and well-reviewed VA agencies online. Employees rate them 4.8/5 on Glassdoor.
The W-2 structure matters here. You get the stability of employment without hunting for clients or managing your own taxes.
Ideal for: Experienced admins ready to leave the office permanently and get compensated properly for it.
2. Hey Girl Friday — Best for Building Long-Term Client Relationships
Experience level: Intermediate
Hey Girl Friday pays $30/hour and hires US-based 1099 contractors to handle admin support, inbox management, scheduling, and client communication. You need at least 3 years of VA experience and must commit to one year with the company.
That one-year commitment is worth understanding. It means stable, recurring work and client relationships that deepen over time, rather than constantly pitching new clients. Bad client fit is one of the fastest paths to burnout in VA work — Hey Girl Friday’s long-term model reduces that risk significantly. Glassdoor rating: 5/5.
Best for: Moms with solid admin experience who want to build lasting client relationships rather than juggling one-off projects.
3. Worxbee — Best for Moms Who Want Control Over Their Client List
Experience level: Experienced only
Most VA agencies assign you to clients. Worxbee lets you choose the clients you want to work with — a meaningful distinction when you’ve experienced a difficult client situation before. Pay starts at $26/hour, you need at least 5 years of experience, and a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week.
State restrictions apply. Worxbee doesn’t hire in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont, or West Virginia. Check your state before investing time in an application.
Strong fit for: Experienced VAs transitioning out of corporate admin work who want more say in who they work with.
4. BELAY — Best Recognized Name in the Industry
Experience level: Intermediate to experienced
BELAY is one of the longest-running and most frequently recommended VA agencies online. They hire 1099 contractors as virtual assistants, bookkeepers, marketing assistants, and executive assistants. Pay ranges from $20–$35/hour depending on the role — marketing assistants earn around $33/hour, while executive assistants earn around $35/hour.
Prior admin experience is required, and a bachelor’s degree is preferred. They don’t hire from California, Montana, New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania. Current Glassdoor score sits at 3.8/5 — solid, though not the highest on this list.
Compared to Hey Girl Friday, BELAY trades slightly lower ratings for wider name recognition and more role variety.
Best for: Moms who want a well-established agency with multiple role types and a strong professional reputation.
5. Time Etc — Best for Flexible Part-Time Entry
Experience level: Intermediate
Time Etc hires freelance VAs from the US, UK, and Ireland across five categories — general VA work, marketing, social media, writing, and customer service. Starting in your strongest area means you’re not competing on equal footing with generalists. Pay starts at $17/hour, and you need 5–8 years of experience.
Glassdoor rating: 4.8/5. They’re consistently mentioned as a supportive agency for VAs re-entering the workforce. Daytime availability is required, but hours are part-time and genuinely flexible.
Best for: Moms with a specific skill set — writing, social media, marketing — who want to monetize it on a part-time schedule.
6. InboxDone — Best for True Beginners
Experience level: Beginner-friendly
InboxDone manages email for business owners and CEOs, and they don’t require a resume, cover letter, or prior VA experience. Pay starts at $17/hour. Positions begin part-time and grow to full-time hours once you’ve proven reliability.
No experience requirement doesn’t mean it’s easy to get in. They’re selective and look for people who demonstrate genuine attention to detail and a long-term mindset in their application. Glassdoor rating: 4.6/5.
Strong written communication in your application matters here more than anywhere else on this list.
Best for: Moms starting from scratch who are organized, detail-oriented, and ready to prove it through the application itself.
7. Fancy Hands — Best Portfolio Builder for Complete Beginners
Experience level: Beginner-friendly
Fancy Hands lets you complete one-off tasks for clients rather than committing to ongoing work. Pay ranges from $3–$7 per task — low by any measure — but it’s one of the fastest ways to build a VA track record when you have none.
Fair warning — some VAs report oversaturation and limited task availability for new workers. Use this as a stepping stone to document experience, not a primary income source. From here, move toward InboxDone, then the mid-tier agencies.
Best for: Complete beginners who need something on paper before applying to higher-paying roles.
8. Elite Virtual Assistants (EVA) — Best for Long-Term Pay Growth
Experience level: Experienced only
EVA hires part-time 1099 virtual and legal assistants from the US. You need at least 5 years of experience and advanced Microsoft Office proficiency. Pay increases every 6 months — meaning the longer you stay, the more you earn without renegotiating.
That built-in raise structure is rare in contractor roles. It makes EVA worth considering for moms who want to commit to one agency long-term rather than jumping between clients. Employees rate them 4.6/5 on Glassdoor.
Ideal for: Tech-comfortable VAs who want a company that systematically rewards loyalty and tenure.
9. Byron — Best for Truly Flexible Scheduling
Experience level: Experienced only
Byron hires virtual executive assistants from the US at $20–$28/hour with no minimum hour commitment. You work as many or as few hours as you want — genuinely rare among VA agencies. You need 5 years of experience and a college degree. Payments go out via direct deposit every two weeks. Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5.
Compared to Boldly, Byron trades higher starting pay for maximum scheduling flexibility.
Best for: Moms who need a truly flexible schedule — not flexible in name only — and have the experience to back it up.
10. Great Assistant — Best Straightforward Application Process
Experience level: Intermediate
Great Assistant hires US- and Canada-based executive VAs at $20–$25/hour, with some positions as W-2 and others as 1099 depending on client needs. Requirements are reasonable — 3 years of experience, no degree requirement listed. Founder Tim Francis has a strong, verifiable reputation in the online business community.
Best for: Moms with moderate experience who want a no-nonsense application process without unnecessary hoops.
11. Headroom — Best for Full-Time Remote Income
Experience level: Intermediate
Headroom hires full-time and part-time executive assistants from the US at $40,000–$60,000/year. Full-time positions include benefits and a home office setup — making this one of the most complete W-2 packages on this list. You need at least 2 years of experience and a college degree.
Current Glassdoor score sits at 3.1/5 — the lowest W-2 employer rating here. Read current employee reviews carefully before committing.
Best for: Moms ready to go full-time remote with a predictable salary and benefits structure.
12. Peachtree VA — Best for High-Quality Client Matching
Experience level: Intermediate
Peachtree VA pays $22/hour and requires candidates to pass a skills test before placement. That’s a filter that keeps client quality high. Companies that screen carefully tend to have less turnover and better long-term working relationships.
You need 2 years of experience, must be available Monday–Friday for at least 15 hours per week, and pass a criminal background check. Employees rate them 4.2/5 on Glassdoor.
Best for: Moms who want to prove their skills upfront and work with a more selective, professional client base.
13. My VA Rocks — Best State Coverage
Experience level: Experienced only
My VA Rocks covers most US states — one of the widest geographic footprints on this list — and hires 1099 contractors at $20/hour starting for calendar management, email management, social media, copywriting, bookkeeping, and grant writing. You need at least 5 years of experience and strong time management skills.
Check their current state eligibility list before applying — a few states are excluded, but coverage is broad compared to most agencies.
Best for: Moms in mid-size or rural states who consistently get excluded from other agencies’ geographic restrictions.
14. VaVa Virtual Assistants — Best for Specialized Skills
Experience level: Intermediate
VaVa hires US-based 1099 contractors across multiple specialties — bookkeeping, content writing, graphic design, social media management, executive assistance, and web development. If you have a marketable skill beyond general admin work, VaVa is one of the few agencies that positions it as a VA service.
You need 2–5 years of experience. Pay is not listed publicly — ask during the application process. Indeed rating: 4.0/5.
Best for: Moms with a specific skill — design, writing, bookkeeping — who want VA-style flexibility without being boxed into general admin tasks.
15. The Boutique COO — Best for Moms With a Creative Background
Experience level: Intermediate
The Boutique COO supports creative entrepreneurs — designers, coaches, content creators — with VAs, social media managers, bookkeepers, and marketing strategists. Roles begin at 20 hours per week, with the potential to grow full-time. Flexible hours and bonus opportunities are listed as benefits.
Glassdoor rating: 2.8/5 — lower than most on this list. Read current employee reviews before committing to get an accurate picture of the current work environment.
Works best for: Moms with a creative or marketing background who want clients in that world rather than corporate or executive environments.
16. She’s a Given — Best for Experienced VAs Who Want Autonomy
Experience level: Intermediate
She’s a Given hires 1099 executive assistants for inbox management, scheduling, admin support, and client communication. No hour minimums are listed — you work as much or as little as your schedule allows. You need at least 3 years of successful VA experience and your own computer.
No Glassdoor rating is published yet. Look for founder Emilie Given on LinkedIn and search for community feedback before applying.
Best for: Experienced VAs who want to set their own pace without being locked into a weekly hour commitment.
17. Virtual Assist USA — Best for Building Toward Benefits
Experience level: Experienced only
Virtual Assist USA hires US-based VAs and project managers as W-2 employees, both part-time and full-time. Pay starts around $17/hour, and full-time employees become eligible for benefits after 6 months. You need a college degree and 5 years of experience. Glassdoor rating: 4.0/5.
The W-2 structure means taxes are handled automatically, and the benefits track gives you something to work toward if you eventually go full-time.
Best for: Moms who want to start part-time and build steadily toward a benefits-eligible full-time remote role.
18. Equivity — Best for Legal or Executive Admin Backgrounds
Experience level: Intermediate
Equivity hires part-time W-2 virtual paralegals and executive assistants from the US. A bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience are required. Pay is not listed publicly — ask during the interview process.
The paralegal track is the more differentiated option here. Legal admin experience commands higher rates than general VA work, and few agencies offer this path specifically. Glassdoor rating: 3.5/5.
Best for: Moms with a legal or senior executive admin background looking to monetize a specialized skill set.
19. Team Delegate — Best for Consistent Daytime Availability
Experience level: Intermediate
Team Delegate hires part-time, freelance executive VAs from most US states — excluding Montana, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and California. You need 3 years of experience, strong organizational skills, and must be available during normal business hours. Pay is not listed publicly.
Best for: Moms with school-age children who have consistent, uninterrupted daytime hours and want structured work that fits that window.
20. Rivvly — Low Experience Bar, But Research Carefully
Experience level: Entry-level accessible
Rivvly requires only 6 months of administrative experience — one of the lowest bars on this list — along with a bachelor’s degree, proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office, and a typing speed of 50 WPM. That makes it accessible for moms returning to the workforce after time away.
Entry-level accessible is different from beginner-friendly — the experience requirement is low, but the work expectations are professional. Indeed rating: 2.5/5. Research current reviews carefully before investing significant time in an application.
Best for: Moms with a degree and basic admin skills who are returning to professional work and need a lower experience threshold to get back in.
21. Zirtual — Best Predictable Monthly Pay Structure
Experience level: Experienced only
Zirtual pays $1,500–$3,800/month as a 1099 independent contractor — one of the few agencies that structures pay monthly rather than hourly, which makes budgeting more predictable. You need 4 years of experience with a college degree, or 7 years without one. Hours are daytime, part-time or full-time. Glassdoor rating: 3.4/5.
Best for: Moms who prefer knowing their monthly income in advance rather than tracking variable hourly rates across multiple clients.
22. Lucia by Tern — Best Niche Role for Travel Backgrounds
Experience level: Industry experience required
Lucia by Tern hires freelance VAs to support clients in the travel industry. If you have a background in travel, hospitality, or customer service, this is a niche most VAs aren’t targeting — which means less competition. Schedule is flexible, and you choose the projects you work on.
No Glassdoor rating published yet. Research the founder and look for community feedback before applying.
Best for: Moms with travel or hospitality experience looking for a specialty niche with lower competition than general VA roles.
23. COYL — Best for Five Specific States
Experience level: Varies by role
COYL offers back-office support across accounting, executive assistance, project management, marketing, web design, HR, and IT. Most positions start part-time and can grow into full-time. From what’s publicly available, they hire only from Florida, Maine, Ohio, Georgia, and Texas. Glassdoor rating: 3.2/5.
Best for: Moms in those five states who want a boutique, multi-service agency rather than a large national platform.
Where Else Can You Find VA Jobs?
If none of the agencies above feel like the right fit, these platforms are another strong way to find VA work:
- Upwork — Freelance marketplace where you set your own rates. On Upwork, your first goal is credibility — not premium pricing. Start modestly, then raise rates after 3–5 successful projects.
- Fiverr — Good for building a portfolio with smaller, defined projects.
- FlexJobs — Curated remote job board with a paid subscription but consistently high-quality listings.
- LinkedIn — Search “virtual assistant remote” and filter by date posted for the most current openings.
If VA work doesn’t feel like the right fit, there are several other legitimate remote income paths worth considering — our post on ways to make money online covers what’s working right now.
What Training Do You Actually Need?
You don’t need a certification to get started — but you do need to feel comfortable using the tools clients rely on daily. At minimum:
- Google Workspace — Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar
- Microsoft Office — Word, Excel, Outlook
- Communication platforms — Zoom, Slack
- Project management tools — Trello, Asana
If you want to specialize, a focused course in that area will help you charge more and attract better clients faster.
Highest-Paying VA Niches
General VA work pays $17–$25/hour at most agencies. These specialties command significantly more:
- Executive assistance — $30–$50/hour at top agencies
- Bookkeeping — $25–$45/hour, especially with QuickBooks experience
- Legal support / paralegal VA — $30–$50/hour with legal admin background
- Operations management — $40–$75/hour for experienced ops VAs
- Podcast production — $25–$50/hour, with growing demand
- Pinterest management — $25–$45/hour, strong demand in the e-commerce and content creator space
Red Flags to Watch For
Not every VA listing is worth your time. Watch for these warning signs:
- Vague job descriptions with no mention of specific tasks or tools
- Unpaid training that exceeds a few hours
- Pressure to stay available at all hours, seven days a week
- Requests for upfront payment, equipment purchases through them, or check cashing
- Pay that seems unusually high relative to the experience required
How to Stand Out in Your Application
The companies on this list receive large volumes of applications. These specifics improve your odds:
- Proofread everything — a typo in a VA application signals poor attention to detail
- Be specific about tools — list the exact platforms you know, not just “Microsoft Office”
- Show responsiveness — reply to any follow-up quickly. That is literally the job.
- Lead with a niche skill if you have one — bookkeeping, legal admin, social media — rather than presenting yourself as a generalist
- Keep your application concise — VAs manage communication for busy people. Your application should reflect that.
The Fastest Way to Get Started
VA work is flexible, but clients still expect reliability from day one. Beginner roles are competitive, and it may take several weeks to land your first client — especially without prior experience. That’s normal. Start small, build proof of reliability, and move into higher-paying roles over time.
Here’s the most direct path if you’re starting from zero:
- Apply to InboxDone and Fancy Hands first — lowest barriers to entry
- While you wait, create a free Upwork profile and take 1–2 small jobs to build reviews
- Once you have 3–6 months of documented work history, apply to BELAY, Time Etc, or Hey Girl Friday for better pay and more stable client relationships
Don’t apply to all 23 companies at once. Pick two or three that match where you actually are right now and focus your energy there.
Final Thoughts
Virtual assistant work is one of the most accessible ways to earn money from home. Not because it’s effortless — because the barrier to entry is relatively low and demand from business owners remains strong.
The companies on this list are legitimate, pay on time, and offer real flexibility. The moms who do best treat it like a real job from day one — professional, reliable, responsive — even when they’re working 10 hours a week from their kitchen table.
For a lot of moms, VA work starts as side income and becomes the first job that finally fits real life.
Pick one beginner-friendly company tonight, submit the application, and build momentum immediately.
