Types of Virtual Assistants: 2025 guide to finding a VA niche in the Philippines

The demand for virtual assistants (VAs) has grown rapidly as many businesses are turning to remote talent for support. From administrative work to digital marketing, virtual assistants now play a vital role in this gig economy.

This guide will break down the different types of virtual assistant jobs and offer steps to help you choose the right career path. We'll also introduce the Wise account, a handy companion to make your money go further with low, transparent fees.

Table of contents
What is a virtual assistant (VA)? Common types of virtual assistant jobs What are the most in-demand niches? How to find your niche as a virtual assistant Get paid in USD, GBP and more with local account details and convert to PHP at the mid-market rate with Wise

✍️ Sign up for a free account now

What is a virtual assistant (VA)?

A virtual assistant is a remote worker who provides online support to clients. A VA can perform a wide range of tasks depending on the client’s needs, such as managing emails, scheduling appointments, handling customer service concerns, or running social media campaigns.

Some virtual assistants choose a niche, like social media or e-commerce, to focus on specialized tasks that match their skills and interests or stand out in the market. Understanding the types of virtual assistant jobs for beginners first can help you find your niche.

Pros

• Flexibility: You can work from anywhere with an internet connection.
• Plenty of opportunities: Choose between becoming a general VA or a specialized one, depending on your skills and interests.
• Scalability: Take on multiple clients to grow your income.
• Low startup cost: All you need is a computer and an internet connection to get started.

Cons

• Unstable income: Work may be project-based or inconsistent, especially when you’re still building a client base.
• Competition: The VA industry is popular, especially in the Philippines, so standing out requires effort.

What to look for before starting your VA journey

If you want to become a virtual assistant, you typically don’t need a degree, but you do need these skills:

• Communication
• Organization
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Tech-savviness
• Time management
• Writing and typing
• Basic IT knowledge

You may also need proficiency in these tools:

• Project management software
• Communication platforms
• Cloud storage
• Time tracking apps
• Payment tools

Common types of virtual assistant jobs

To help you in your search for the most common types of virtual assistant jobs, we have created the list below.

General administrative

Here are some details about the general duties and skills required for a VA with general administrative responsibilities.

Description	General administrative VAs support clients with everyday tasks.
Common responsibilities	Manage emails Schedule meetings Organize data Prepare reports Handle correspondences
Skills needed	Organization Time management Attention to detail
Best for	People who are highly organized, dependable, and detail-oriented, or those with an office admin or secretarial background.
Tools needed	Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Trello, Asana, Slack
Average yearly salary	139,269 PHP¹

Social media

A social media virtual assistant is required to have the following skills and duties.

Description	Social media virtual assistants help clients grow and maintain their online presence.
Common responsibilities	Create posts for different social media platforms Schedule content Respond to comments Run ads Analyze performance
Skills needed	Creativity Basic graphic design Copywriting
Best for	Creative individuals with strong communication skills who enjoy trends, branding and digital engagement.
Tools needed	Canva, Buffer, Hootsuite, Meta Business Suite
Average yearly salary	185,000²

E-commerce

An e-commerce VA has to be familiar with various online tools, and her day-to-day responsibilities will vary.

Description	E-commerce virtual assistants support clients with online stores on platforms like Shopify, Amazon, or Lazada.
Common responsibilities	List products Track orders Manage inventory Respond to customer inquiries Optimize store listings
Skills needed	Knowledge of e-commerce platforms Customer service Basic SEO
Best for	People who are tech-savvy, detail-oriented, and comfortable with multitasking, or people with retail or sales experience.
Tools needed	Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, Lazada Seller Center
Average yearly salary	20,000³

Content and SEO

A content and SEO virtual assistant has to stay in touch with recent developments regarding the process of what makes online content successful.

Description	Content and SEO virtual assistants help boost clients’ visibility in search engines by creating and/or editing SEO-optimized content.
Common responsibilities	Write and edit blog posts Optimize website content Research relevant keywords Manage editorial calendars Monitor analytics
Skills needed	Writing Basic HTML SEO knowledge
Best for	Writers, bloggers or marketing-minded individuals who enjoy research and creative work.
Tools needed	WordPress, SEMrush, Yoast SEO, Google Analytics
Average yearly salary	50,000⁴

Data entry

A data entry VA will have a simpler role compared to the above.

Description	Data entry virtual assistants input, update, and organize information.
Common responsibilities	Input data into spreadsheets or databases Review data for errors Categorize and structure data Generate reports or summaries from raw data
Skills needed	Typing Attention to detail Data protection awareness
Best for	People who are meticulous, patient, and like structured tasks.
Tools needed	Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Zoho Sheet
Average yearly salary	38,000⁵

Real estate

Someone with experience in the real estate market will be perfect for the role of a real estate VA.

Description	Real estate virtual assistants support property agents and agencies with administrative and marketing tasks.
Common responsibilities	Manage property listings Schedule property showings Coordinate client communications Create promotional materials
Skills needed	Communication Interpersonal Knowledge of real estate platforms Attention to detail
Best for	Friendly and persuasive people with a background in real estate, sales, or client services.
Tools needed	Lamudi, Real.ph, Canva, CRM tools like HubSpot
Average yearly salary	395,831⁶

Executive assistant

For this role, you have to have previous experience as a VA.

Description	Executive assistant VAs provide high-level support to executives and business leaders.
Common responsibilities	Coordinate meetings with stakeholders Handle confidential communications Manage complex calendars Book travel arrangements
Skills needed	Professionalism Communication Problem-solving Multitasking
Best for	Highly professional individuals with corporate or admin backgrounds.
Tools needed	Google Workspace, Microsoft Outlook, Zoom
Average yearly salary	376,565⁷

Bookkeeping

As a bookkeeping virtual assistant, you have to have a financial or accounting background.

Description	Bookkeeping virtual assistants manage financial records and ensure accurate accounting for businesses.
Common responsibilities	Record daily financial transactions Prepare financial reports Monitor cashflow Maintain accurate financial records
Skills needed	Attention to detail Familiarity with bookkeeping software Organization Time management
Best for	Numbers-driven individuals — especially those with accounting or finance backgrounds.
Tools needed	QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks
Average yearly salary	213,783⁸

Customer service

A customer service VA has to have excellent communication skills above all.

Description	Customer service virtual assistants handle client interactions and provide support for businesses.
Common responsibilities	Respond to emails, live chats, and social media messages Resolve customer complaints Process orders, refunds, and returns Provide product or service information
Skills needed	Conflict resolution Customer service Problem solving
Best for	Patient, empathetic, and people-oriented individuals who thrive in communication-heavy roles
Tools needed	Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom
Average yearly salary	47,000⁹

What are the most in-demand types of virtual assistant niches?

While there’s a need for all types of virtual assistant niches, certain specialties are more in demand, such as:

• Digital marketing: Businesses want VAs who can help with social media, email campaigns, and online ads to expand their reach and increase sales.
• E-commerce support: As online shopping continues to succeed, store owners need reliable virtual assistants for product management, order processing, and customer support.
• Specialized administrative support: Companies and executives seek VAs who can handle complex, high-level administrative tasks, manage projects, coordinate teams, and provide industry-specific expertise beyond basic office duties.

If you develop the necessary skills to succeed in one of these types of virtual assistant niches, you can increase your chances of securing consistent work and negotiating higher rates.

How to find your niche as a virtual assistant

Now that you know all the types of virtual assistant niches, it’s time to pick one. Here are some steps you can follow to find the right specialty for you.

1. Assess your skills and interests

Start by thinking about what you’re good at and what type of work you actually enjoy. For example, if you’re creative and like writing, being a content and SEO VA could be a great fit. If you’re detail-oriented and organized, data entry might work better. Being passionate about your work will help you stay motivated long-term.

2. Research client demand

Look at job boards, Facebook groups, and LinkedIn to see what businesses are hiring VAs for. As mentioned, e-commerce, digital marketing, and specialized administrative support are all popular niches, but demand can shift quickly, so it’s important to stay updated on industry trends.

3. Test the niche

Pick one or two niches and offer a trial service to friends, small businesses, or even through freelancing platforms. This gives you the chance to get real feedback and allows you to see whether the niche suits you.

4. Refine and specialize

Once you choose your niche, you can prepare marketing materials like a website and portfolio. Consider including a niche statement, like “Creative and tech-savvy virtual assistant seeking to support real estate professionals through social media marketing, property promotion, and CRM management.” This can help you stand out from other virtual assistants in the industry and immediately tell potential clients the services you offer.

Get paid in USD, GBP and more with local account details and convert to PHP at the mid-market rate with Wise

Did you know that over 76%* of Filipinos cite low and transparent fees as an important factor when receiving money from abroad? With Wise, that's exactly what you're getting - all you need to get started is to sign up for a free Wise account, and you'll be able to manage your money with just a few taps of your phone.

You'll have access to 8+ local account details for major currencies including PHP, USD, GBP, AUD, and more, allowing you to receive money directly, in a cheap and convenient manner. After getting your money, you can easily convert it to 40+ currencies, with low fees, and the mid-market rate - also known as the rate you see on Google. This includes exchanging to PHP with a one-time conversion fee from 0.57% that's shown upfront, and no markups or additional fees.

Get paid and move your funds to your local bank account in PHP in a cheap and convenient manner with Wise to stretch every peso.

*Disclaimer: The percentage figure mentioned above is based on an internal survey conducted by Wise in April, 2024

✍️ Sign up for a free account now

---

Sources used:

1. Payscale Average Virtual Assistant Pay
2. Payscale Average Social Media VA Pay
3. Payscale Average e-Commerce VA Pay
4. Payscale Average Web Content Management VA Pay
5. Payscale Average Data Entry VA Pay
6. OnlineJobs VA Salaries in the Philippines
7. Payscale Average Executive Assistant Pay
8. Payscale Average Accounting Assistant Pay
9. Payscale Average Customer Service VA Pay