A remote administrative assistant handles data entry, documents, research, spreadsheets, file organisation and scheduling from anywhere. A small business can start with a 12 to 36-hour monthly block, from $120, and move to a dedicated VA once the workload is steady.
A remote administrative assistant is often the first hire a founder makes. Searches for the term grew about 44% last year. The reason is simple: admin never stops, and it rarely needs you. This guide covers the tasks, the cost and how to start.
Examples of admin tasks a remote assistant can take on. Bar length is illustrative.
Remote administrative assistant tasks
Administrative assistant tasks cover anything that keeps the business organised. A remote admin can:
- Enter and clean up records in your CRM or spreadsheets.
- Format reports, proposals and templates.
- Research suppliers, prospects and competitors.
- Build and update trackers.
- Sort and name files so anyone can find them.
- Track deadlines, renewals and meetings.
Where a data entry virtual assistant fits
Some jobs are pure data entry: a list of 2,000 contacts, a product catalog, or old invoices to log. A data entry virtual assistant handles these in bulk. Many clients start with one data job, then keep the same VA for ongoing admin support.
Virtual administrative assistant vs. an office admin
An office admin needs a desk, a salary and benefits. A virtual administrative assistant needs a login. You pay only for hours used, and unused hours roll over. Remote admin support can cover much of what an office admin did, minus the coffee runs.
What it costs
- 3 hours: $33. 12 hours: $120. 36 hours: $324.
- Quarterly plans from $135, down to $7/hr.
- Full-time dedicated VA: $899 a month, or $5.62/hr.
How to start
Keep a list of every admin task you do for one week. Mark the ones that don't need your judgment. Send those to your VA first. Our hiring checklist covers the rest.
Get your evenings back. See the admin and data entry service or start for $1.
Frequently asked questions
What does a remote administrative assistant do?
Data entry, document formatting, research, spreadsheets, file organisation, scheduling and inbox support, all done remotely.
Is a data entry virtual assistant the same thing?
Data entry is one part of the role. A remote administrative assistant does data entry plus broader admin support.
How much does a remote administrative assistant cost?
At MyRemoteVA, from $33 for 3 hours, $120 for 12 hours, or $5.62/hr on a full-time dedicated plan.
What is doing this yourself costing you?
Doing it yourself: $2,165 a month of your time.
The same hours at our $12/hr pay-as-you-go rate: $520. Dedicated plans start at $5.62/hr.
Simple maths from the numbers you enter. It assumes a VA can take on those hours.
Start for $1Written by the MyRemoteVA team. Search-trend figures come from Google Trends. Prices shown are our current plans. Last updated September 25, 2026. Questions or corrections? Contact us.
Admin & Data Entry
A remote administrative assistant for data entry, documents, research, spreadsheets and the daily admin that keeps a business running.
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