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Job outlook for virtual assistants in the United States
Are virtual assistant jobs in demand?
Virtual assistant job and salary trends over time
Virtual assistant jobs over time
Virtual assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,242 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,272 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,503 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,659 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,769 | 0.00% |
Average virtual assistant salary over time
Virtual assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,915 | $19.19 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $38,723 | $18.62 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $37,634 | $18.09 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $36,566 | $17.58 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $35,774 | $17.20 | +2.7% |
Virtual assistant jobs by state
Most common states for virtual assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 96 | 14% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 600 | 9% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 68 | 9% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 371 | 7% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 78 | 7% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 534 | 6% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 175 | 6% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 111 | 6% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 34 | 6% |
| 10 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,087 | 5% |
| 11 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 1,041 | 5% |
| 12 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 607 | 5% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 335 | 5% |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 332 | 5% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 313 | 5% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 301 | 5% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 280 | 5% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 87 | 5% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 64 | 5% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 48 | 5% |
Most common cities for virtual assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas City | 2 | 4% | $39,616 |
| 2 | Tempe | 3 | 2% | $39,861 |
| 3 | Round Rock | 2 | 2% | $39,746 |
| 4 | Broomfield | 1 | 2% | $44,577 |
| 5 | Burleson | 1 | 2% | $39,451 |
| 6 | Burlington | 1 | 2% | $44,977 |
| 7 | Brandon | 1 | 1% | $39,264 |
| 8 | Carolina | 1 | 1% | $25,848 |
| 9 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $43,214 |
| 10 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $43,030 |
| 11 | Columbus | 2 | 0% | $37,555 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $41,917 |
| 13 | Birmingham | 1 | 0% | $40,453 |
| 14 | Cleveland | 1 | 0% | $38,471 |
Virtual Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of virtual assistant experts
Ohio University
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Ohio University - Lancaster Campus
College of Charleston
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
West Liberty University
West Virginia State University
Meredith College
What skills stand out on Virtual Assistant resumes?
Allison White: Knowledge of spreadsheets software such as MS Excel is a commonly sought-after skill. Employers want word processing and spreadsheet skills but often say they want high school graduates and pay accordingly. These skills aren't always taught in high school. Those in the field should seek these skills. Additionally, medical and legal assistants have highly sought after. Terminology courses for these specialized areas are sometimes offered at the vocational schools but are usually offered at the post-secondary level.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Virtual Assistants?
Allison White: In addition to production software skills, including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, we often taught database skills using MS Access. Every employer has an employee database and a customer/client database that requires input and sometimes maintenance by office personnel. Keyboarding (65+ wpm), basic bookkeeping/accounting, and filing skills are a must.
Christi Patton Luks
Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic AffairsMissouri University of Science & Technology
Linda & Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Virtual Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Christi Patton Luks: I think that the pandemic has proven to everyone that online education can work. I think this will increase the number of undergraduates that want to take a course or two online while they are working on internship or co-op positions and professionals returning to school virtually for additional credentials and training. Some engineering jobs have been moved to work-from-home successfully, but many still need to be on site. Flexibility will continue, however.
What's a good job out of college for Virtual Assistants?
Christi Patton Luks: A good job out of college is one that can be adapted to the individual's skills and interests and encourages them to stretch. Frequently, students think they want to work in a particular type of job. Once they have it, they discover that it was not what they thought it would be. Many companies rotate new employees through a variety of positions. Those are great for helping people find their own hidden talents. I know that I have discovered abilities that I would not have even attempted when I was 20.
Brandy Bailey
Career CoachOhio University - Lancaster Campus
Student Services, Career Services
What soft skills should all Virtual Assistants possess?
Brandy Bailey: Soft skills may vary depending on the employer, industry, and personal opinions. My biggest ones are communication skills, adaptability, self-awareness, teamwork, problem-solving, intercultural competency, creativity or innovation, and time management.
What experience really stands out on Virtual Assistant resumes?
Jacob Craig Ph.D.: I believe strongly in dexterity and a language of expertise. That means that if a student can show they can adapt to new demands by learning a new way of working, learning about a new audience, learning how to address a new purpose, learning a new genre or style, and learning a new technology, that employee attractive. Especially at the entry-level, the ability to learn and adapt is valuable. Being able to talk about their experience using a persuasive vocabulary is often useful. For instance, if students can describe their approach to communication without using cliches (short and sweet, clear) and something along the lines of purpose, audience, situation, genre, medium--that's persuasive.
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD
Recruitment & Scholarship CoordinatorUniversity of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Office of Student Services
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Virtual Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD: Despite the pandemic, careers that have direct contact with people continue to be in high demand. these include careers in teaching and social work. they are considered depression-proof careers. given the increased diversity in the USA, adding a second language to any career will be amazingly useful. Two-year degrees will not be seen as useful. If people are seeking post-secondary credits they need to think about a specific trade certificate, or a four-year degree.
Dr. Darrin Cox
Professor of HistoryWest Liberty University
College of Liberal Arts
What general advice would you give to a Virtual Assistant?
Dr. Darrin Cox: Be open to new opportunities and be patient. Degrees in the humanities and social sciences don't just open a single door to a specific job like some others might. They open a wider array of doors that may not be as clearly defined in a recruiter's job placement or headspace. Remember, STEM fields might experience more initial salary, but overall they experience slower salary growth and higher attrition rates than those in the humanities and social sciences. Indeed, people specializing in degrees that train "soft skills" (like history) actually end up earning more than all other degrees on average, due in part to being able to slide more deftly into other positions because their skill set hasn't become obsolete as technology changed.*
*Nytimes
Anne McConnell Ph.D.
ProfessorWest Virginia State University
English Department
What general advice would you give to a Virtual Assistant?
Anne McConnell Ph.D.: I would say it's important to be very attentive to the way you communicate with your employers, managers, and co-workers. Even sending an e-mail can be an opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism and communication skills. Some people think that no one knows how to write anymore, or how to communicate in a professional way. I don't think that's true. But we don't always think about how our writing can be a tool to communicate our competence and seriousness. If you know how to write and communicate professionally-which college grads do-then make sure to demonstrate that in the workplace.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Virtual Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Anne McConnell Ph.D.: While we all hope and expect life to get 'back to normal' at some point, we also live in a new reality now. Some of the adaptations we have made in order to work during the pandemic might indeed stick around. I think employers want to hire someone who can be flexible and productive in a variety of environments. Can you work at home and manage your schedule and workload if you're not 'coming to an office' every day? Are you an independent worker who can meet goals without a lot of hand-holding? Are your communication skills strong?
I don't have much to say about potential job trends, but I do think that employers understand that, no matter the job, they need people who have strong critical thinking and communication skills. English majors are prepared to do that, and I know of English graduates who have been hired in a variety of fields, specifically because they are strong writers and thinkers.
What experience really stands out on Virtual Assistant resumes?
Angela Robbins Ph.D.: History majors-and in fact, all students in the Humanities-practice skills in the classroom which have real-world, job performance implications, as laid out above. In my experience, students need to do a better job of communicating on their resumes what exactly those skills are so they do stand out. Job-seekers might list critical thinking skills, leadership skills, and the ability to work on a team on their resumes, for example, but for them to be able to point to specific examples from their classes and projects, and to be able to talk about those in interviews, is especially valuable. Internships also really stand out, because employers want to know that students have practiced these skills outside the classroom and have gained real-world experience, too.