VA Statistics Every Business Owner Should Know in 2026
Virtual assistants are no longer a nice-to-have for larger companies. For many small businesses, they have become part of the operating model.
That shift shows up in the numbers. But the most useful statistics are not the flashy ones. They are the ones that help you answer real questions: Is this market growing? Are businesses outsourcing more than admin work? What does support actually cost? And what kind of talent model makes sense for a growing company?
Here are the VA statistics that matter most right now.
1. The Market Is Growing, But Not Every Report Is Measuring the Same Thing
If you have looked up virtual assistant market size before, you have probably seen conflicting numbers.
That is because some reports are measuring AI or software-based virtual assistants, while others are measuring human virtual assistant services. The Business Research Company says the broader virtual assistant market will grow from $8.11 billion in 2025 to $10.11 billion in 2026, while Future Market Insights projects the virtual assistant services market at $19.5 billion in 2025 and $55.4 billion by 2035. Those are very different definitions, but they point in the same direction: the category is expanding.
The practical takeaway is simple: support roles delivered remotely are becoming more mainstream, not less.
2. Outsourcing Is Moving Beyond Back-Office Work
A lot of business owners still think of outsourcing as something mainly used for admin support.
That is no longer the full picture. Deloitte’s 2024 Global Outsourcing Survey says 80% of executives plan to maintain or increase investment in third-party outsourcing, and 50% say they use outsourced services for front-office capabilities like sales, marketing, and R&D.
That matters because it changes how virtual assistants should be viewed. The role is no longer limited to inboxes and calendars. More businesses are using remote support in customer-facing, revenue-supporting, and workflow-improvement roles.
3. The Independent Talent Pool Is Large and Getting More Skilled
It is also easier than before to find capable remote support outside traditional employment models.
Upwork’s 2025 Future Workforce Index says 28% of U.S. skilled knowledge workers now freelance or work independently, generating $1.5 trillion in earnings in 2024.
For small businesses, that matters because the talent pool is broader than it used to be. You are not only choosing between hiring a local employee or doing the work yourself. You now have access to a growing market of experienced independent professionals who already know how to work remotely.
4. Cost Still Matters, But Context Matters More
The cost gap between direct local hiring and remote independent support is still one of the biggest reasons businesses consider virtual assistants in the first place.
Upwork currently lists the median hourly rate for virtual assistants at $13, with a typical range of $10 to $20 per hour on the platform. By comparison, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $47,460 in May 2024, while executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants earned a median of $74,260.
That does not mean every business should automatically choose the cheapest route. It does mean that remote support can create meaningful leverage when the role is scoped well and matched to the right level of work.
5. Business Owners Are Not Just Buying Hours Anymore
One of the biggest shifts in the VA space is that businesses are becoming more specific about what they want.
The growth in front-office outsourcing, the broader independent talent pool, and the expansion of remote work all point to the same trend: companies are no longer only looking for someone to “help with admin.” They are increasingly looking for support tied to outcomes.
That might mean:
- executive and operational support
- client coordination
- lead management
- marketing execution
- reporting and documentation
- AI-assisted workflow support
The best virtual assistant hires now tend to be role-based, not vague.
6. The Right Question Is Not “Do I Need a VA?”
A better question is:
“Where is my business losing time, and what kind of support would remove that friction fastest?”
The statistics above matter because they show that:
- the market is growing
- outsourcing is expanding beyond admin work
- the independent talent pool is deeper
- the cost difference can be meaningful
But none of that helps unless the role is clear.
A generic VA hire can create confusion. A well-scoped VA hire can create capacity.
Final Thoughts
Virtual assistants are no longer an experiment. They are part of how many businesses scale without immediately adding full-time headcount.
The most useful statistics are the ones that clarify the shift:
- the market is growing
- outsourcing is broadening
- independent remote talent is more established
- and support models are becoming more specialized
That is the real story.
If you are thinking about hiring a VA, the goal is not just to save money. It is to free up time, reduce friction, and build a role that actually improves how the business runs.
FAQ
Is the virtual assistant market actually growing?
Yes, but the exact number depends on what a report includes. The Business Research Company projects the broader virtual assistant market at $10.11 billion in 2026, up from $8.11 billion in 2025, while Future Market Insights projects the human virtual assistant services market at $19.5 billion in 2025. The definitions differ, but both point to growth.
Are VAs still mostly used for admin work?
Not only. Deloitte says 50% of executives already use outsourced services for front-office capabilities such as sales, marketing, and R&D. That suggests outsourced support is moving well beyond classic back-office work.
How much does a virtual assistant cost?
It depends on the model and the skill level. Upwork currently lists a median hourly rate of $13 for virtual assistants, with a common range of $10–$20/hour on the platform.
How does that compare with hiring a U.S.-based admin employee?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $47,460 in May 2024, and executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants had a median annual wage of $74,260.
Why are more businesses open to virtual assistants now?
Part of the reason is access. Upwork says 28% of U.S. skilled knowledge workers now freelance or work independently, which means businesses have a much larger pool of remote-capable talent than they did a few years ago.
