Demand for remote support keeps rising across the United States, so virtual assistants remain important for small and large businesses. This review explains the average VA salary in the US, what shapes income in 2026, and how VAs improve their earning power with stronger skills.
United States Salary Benchmarks
Recent salary data shows that many virtual assistants in the US earn about USD26.56 per hour based on updated listings on Indeed. This rate is close to USD55,000 per year for full-time work. Pay increases when VAs handle support tasks that need speed and stronger skills, including executive support, marketing support, CRM tasks, scheduling, automation, and tech setup.
Reports from Salary Solver and Operations Army show that VAs with niche skills earn higher rates. Skilled VAs in specialized roles reach between USD40 and USD75 per hour, depending on the task, industry, and workload. These numbers reflect strong demand. US businesses prefer flexible support and direct results without the cost of full-time staff.
What Shapes VA Salary Levels in the United States
Skill and specialization
VAs with marketing support skills, CRM skills, bookkeeping skills, automation tools, or workflow setup skills earn more than those who handle basic admin tasks.
VAs with marketing support skills, CRM skills, bookkeeping skills, automation tools, or workflow setup skills earn more than those who handle basic admin tasks.
Experience
Clients choose VAs with proven results. Strong performance, fast delivery, and positive feedback lead to higher pay.
Clients choose VAs with proven results. Strong performance, fast delivery, and positive feedback lead to higher pay.
Niche knowledge
Special fields in the US, such as real estate, e-commerce, consulting, healthcare scheduling, and tech support, require structure and accuracy. Clients pay higher rates for VAs who understand these fields.
Special fields in the US, such as real estate, e-commerce, consulting, healthcare scheduling, and tech support, require structure and accuracy. Clients pay higher rates for VAs who understand these fields.
Clear communication
US clients value clean writing, fast updates, and strong coordination. Clear communication raises trust and income levels.
US clients value clean writing, fast updates, and strong coordination. Clear communication raises trust and income levels.
Reliability
Clients pay more when the work stays accurate and steady. Missed tasks lower value. Reliable VAs move into higher pay brackets faster.
Clients pay more when the work stays accurate and steady. Missed tasks lower value. Reliable VAs move into higher pay brackets faster.
Client type
Corporate clients, busy professionals, real estate teams, and online stores often pay higher rates than small businesses with tight budgets.
Corporate clients, busy professionals, real estate teams, and online stores often pay higher rates than small businesses with tight budgets.
Why Some VAs Earn More Than Others in the US
Some VAs handle tasks that bring direct value to business operations. They move faster, understand digital tools, and support tasks that reduce workload for US business owners. These VAs also communicate with clarity, follow structured systems, and deliver work with fewer corrections. This raises their rates above the national average.
How a VA Upgrades and Earns More in the US Market
Learn higher-value skills.
Study email marketing support, CRM management, calendar control, automation tools, bookkeeping basics, and social media scheduling. These skills raise income faster than general admin tasks.
Study email marketing support, CRM management, calendar control, automation tools, bookkeeping basics, and social media scheduling. These skills raise income faster than general admin tasks.
Invest in short training.
Keep improving your tool knowledge. Small improvements help you finish work cleaner and faster.
Keep improving your tool knowledge. Small improvements help you finish work cleaner and faster.
Improve your systems.
Use templates, checklists, simple automation, and structured workflows. This helps you finish tasks with accuracy and gives you room to raise your rates.
Use templates, checklists, simple automation, and structured workflows. This helps you finish tasks with accuracy and gives you room to raise your rates.
Strengthen your communication.
Send short updates. Write clear messages. Ask clear questions. US clients value clarity more than long messages.
Send short updates. Write clear messages. Ask clear questions. US clients value clarity more than long messages.
Raise your rates after consistent results.
After you deliver steady results for a few months, update your pricing with confidence.
After you deliver steady results for a few months, update your pricing with confidence.
Target higher-paying US clients.
Look for clients in tech, real estate, consulting, coaching, healthcare support, and online retail. These fields pay higher rates than general admin roles.
Look for clients in tech, real estate, consulting, coaching, healthcare support, and online retail. These fields pay higher rates than general admin roles.
Trends to Watch in 2026
More US businesses will outsource tasks to reduce costs and free time. VAs who support automation, scheduling, research, customer support, and marketing tasks will grow faster. Demand for VAs who understand digital tools will rise across many industries. Clients want structured support, fast communication, and long-term reliability.
What This Means for ICL Virtual Services
ICL Virtual Services stays ahead in the US market because you focus on structure, clarity, and reliable delivery. Our team understands the tasks US businesses value, from executive support to CRM updates and digital coordination. We help clients work faster by giving them clean systems and steady communication.