You've watched job postings scroll by for years, each one demanding a bachelor's degree for work you know you could do in your sleep. Meanwhile, you've been organizing chaos at home, managing schedules, handling finances, and keeping everything running—skills that translate directly to administrative work.
Here's what the job market doesn't advertise: companies are quietly dropping degree requirements. Google, Apple, IBM, and hundreds of other employers now hire based on what you can do, not what diploma hangs on your wall.
Remote administrative jobs are the sweet spot for people with organizational skills and no four-year degree. These positions pay $40,000 to $75,000, offer genuine flexibility, and value the practical abilities you've been building your entire adult life.
This guide covers exactly which companies are hiring, what they actually pay, and how to position yourself as the obvious choice—degree or not.
What Remote Administrative Jobs Actually Pay
Let's start with real numbers. According to Glassdoor's 2025 salary data, remote administrative roles pay more than most people expect:
| Role | Salary Range | Experience Level |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Administrative Assistant | $40,500 - $60,000 | 0-2 years |
| Administrative Assistant | $42,500 - $63,000 | 2-5 years |
| Senior Administrative Assistant | $56,300 - $80,000 | 5+ years |
| Executive Administrative Assistant | $59,500 - $87,000 | 5+ years |
| Virtual Assistant (Freelance) | $36,000 - $56,000 | Varies |
Top-paying industries for administrative roles include legal ($60,000+ median), pharmaceutical ($58,000+), and financial services ($55,000+). Tech companies often pay 15-20% above average for remote admin positions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $47,460 in May 2024. But remote positions—especially at tech companies—typically pay above median.
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20 Companies Hiring Remote Administrative Assistants
These companies actively recruit remote administrative talent without requiring degrees. I've verified each one hires for these roles and confirmed their remote policies.
Virtual Assistant Agencies
1. BELAY — $19-$22/hour starting
The largest U.S.-based virtual staffing company. BELAY connects contractors with clients needing executive assistance, bookkeeping, and social media support. They provide ongoing training and a dedicated success consultant. Currently hiring in most states except CA, CO, MT, NJ, NY, and PA.
2. Boldly — $25-$35/hour
Premium subscription staffing for experienced executive assistants. Boldly hires W2 employees (not contractors), provides benefits, and has a 93% first-match success rate. They look for candidates with 7+ years of experience.
3. Time Etc — $11-$16/hour
Founded in 2007, Time Etc has helped over 10,000 clients. They hire general virtual assistants, marketing assistants, and writing assistants. Requires dedication of 2-3 hours daily with flexibility around client schedules.
Tech Companies
4. Shopify — $45,000-$65,000/year
The e-commerce platform regularly hires remote administrative coordinators and executive assistants. They've publicly dropped degree requirements for most non-technical roles.
5. Zapier — $50,000-$85,000/year
This async-first company builds automation tools and practices what they preach. Their operations and administrative roles are fully remote with flexible schedules.
6. HubSpot — $48,000-$70,000/year
The marketing software company offers administrative positions supporting their sales and customer success teams. Strong preference for candidates familiar with their CRM platform.
7. GitLab — $55,000-$80,000/year
Fully remote since founding, GitLab hires executive business partners and administrative coordinators across time zones. They publish their entire employee handbook publicly.
Healthcare & Insurance
8. UnitedHealth Group — $38,000-$55,000/year
One of the largest employers of remote administrative assistants. Roles include medical secretary positions, claims processing coordination, and executive support.
9. Humana — $40,000-$58,000/year
Their administrative and support services division consistently posts remote positions. Many roles involve coordinating care services and managing provider relationships.
10. CVS Health — $36,000-$52,000/year
Remote customer service and administrative coordinator roles supporting their pharmacy and healthcare operations.
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Financial Services
11. American Express — $45,000-$65,000/year
Amex hires virtual administrative assistants for their corporate teams. They've removed degree requirements from many positions and focus on demonstrated skills.
12. Capital One — $42,000-$62,000/year
Recently posted remote Administrative Support Assistant III positions supporting tech and software teams. They emphasize calendar management and executive support skills.
13. Fidelity Investments — $44,000-$60,000/year
Administrative coordinator roles supporting their wealth management and customer service divisions.
Staffing & HR Companies
14. Robert Half — Varies by placement
One of the largest administrative staffing agencies. They place candidates in temporary, contract, and permanent remote administrative positions across industries.
15. Kelly Services — Varies by placement
Global staffing firm with strong administrative placement division. They offer free skills training through Kelly Learning Center.
Other Remote-First Companies
16. Automattic (WordPress) — $50,000-$75,000/year
The company behind WordPress.com is fully distributed and hires happiness engineers and administrative support roles without degree requirements.
17. Buffer — $52,000-$70,000/year
Transparent about salaries and fully remote. They occasionally hire for operations and administrative coordinator positions.
18. Basecamp — $55,000-$80,000/year
Makers of project management software, Basecamp operates with a small team and hires administrative support when needed.
19. Doist — $48,000-$68,000/year
Creators of Todoist and Twist, this remote-first company values async communication and hires across time zones.
20. Mercury — $64,000-$89,000/year
The startup banking company posts administrative and operations coordinator roles. They're transparent about compensation ranges in job postings.
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Skills You Actually Need (Not What Job Postings Say)
Job descriptions list 15 requirements when they really need 5. Here's what actually matters:
Must-Have Skills
Communication — Written communication is everything in remote work. You'll draft emails, create documents, and represent executives through text. If you can write a clear, professional email, you're halfway there.
Calendar Management — Scheduling across time zones, avoiding conflicts, and protecting executive time. This is learnable but takes practice.
Technology Comfort — You don't need to be technical, but you should be comfortable learning new software quickly. Most roles use:
- Google Workspace or Microsoft 365
- Slack or Microsoft Teams
- Zoom or Google Meet
- Project management tools (Asana, Monday, Notion)
Organization — Managing files, tracking tasks, maintaining systems. If you're the person who keeps your household running smoothly, you have this.
Discretion — Handling confidential information appropriately. Simple as not gossiping about what you see in executive calendars.
Proactive communication beats reactive task completion every time. Employers want someone who anticipates needs, not just responds to requests. In interviews, give examples of times you identified a problem before anyone asked.
Nice-to-Have Skills
- Experience with specific CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Basic bookkeeping knowledge
- Social media scheduling
- Light graphic design (Canva)
- Travel booking experience
How to Get Hired Without a Degree
Step 1: Audit Your Existing Experience
Every administrative skill counts, regardless of where you learned it:
- Volunteer work — Church secretary, PTA coordinator, nonprofit board member
- Side hustles — Managing an Etsy shop, coordinating events, freelance work
- Previous jobs — Retail management, food service coordination, office work
- Life experience — Managing household finances, coordinating family schedules, organizing moves
Write down everything you've done that involves organization, communication, or coordination.
Step 2: Get Strategic Certifications
Free or low-cost certifications that employers actually value:
- Google Workspace Certification — Free through Google
- Microsoft Office Specialist — Demonstrates proficiency with Office apps
- HubSpot Academy — Free CRM and marketing certifications
- LinkedIn Learning — Administrative assistant courses with certificates
These won't replace experience, but they show initiative and verify your skills.
Step 3: Build a Skills-Based Resume
Lead with what you can do, not where you went to school:
Professional Summary Example: "Administrative professional with 5+ years of experience managing executive calendars, coordinating travel, and maintaining confidential records. Proficient in Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Known for anticipating needs and streamlining processes."
Put your skills section and work experience above education. If you have any college, list it without specifying whether you graduated.
Step 4: Target the Right Companies
Focus your search on:
- Companies that explicitly state "degree preferred" (not required)
- Job postings that don't mention education at all
- Startups and small businesses
- Remote-first companies (they tend to be more flexible)
- Companies that have publicly dropped degree requirements
Step 5: Nail the Interview
Remote administrative interviews typically assess:
- Communication clarity — Can you explain things concisely?
- Problem-solving — How do you handle scheduling conflicts or upset stakeholders?
- Technology comfort — Are you comfortable learning new tools?
- Self-management — Can you stay productive without supervision?
Prepare specific examples for each. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
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Remote Administrative Job Scams to Avoid
The administrative job market is full of scams. Watch for these red flags:
Payment Required — Legitimate employers never ask you to pay for training, equipment, or "certification" before starting.
Check Cashing Schemes — Any job involving depositing checks and sending money elsewhere is fraud.
Vague Job Descriptions — Real jobs have specific duties. "Easy work from home, make $5000/week" is always fake.
No Interview Process — Legitimate remote jobs require video interviews. Text-only hiring is suspicious.
Personal Information Requests — Don't provide SSN, bank details, or ID copies before a formal offer with a signed contract.
Too-Good-to-Be-True Pay — Entry-level administrative work pays $15-25/hour. Claims of $50+/hour for basic tasks are scams.
Research companies on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and the Better Business Bureau before applying. Search "[Company name] scam" to see if others have reported issues. Legitimate companies have verifiable histories and employee reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really get a remote administrative job without a degree?
Yes. According to recent hiring trends, 62% of administrative positions don't actually require a degree. Companies like Google, Apple, IBM, and many startups now hire based on demonstrated skills rather than formal education. Customer service experience, volunteer coordination, and even managing a household translate directly to administrative work.
What's the difference between a virtual assistant and an administrative assistant?
Virtual assistants typically work as freelancers or contractors, often supporting multiple clients. Administrative assistants are usually employees of a single company with set hours and benefits. Virtual assistants often have more schedule flexibility but handle their own taxes and don't receive employer benefits.
How much can I make as a remote administrative assistant?
Entry-level remote administrative assistants typically earn $40,000-$50,000 annually. With 3-5 years of experience, salaries rise to $50,000-$65,000. Executive administrative assistants and those in specialized industries (legal, tech, healthcare) can earn $70,000-$90,000 or more.
What equipment do I need to work from home as an administrative assistant?
Most employers require reliable high-speed internet (25+ Mbps), a quiet workspace, and a computer (many provide one). You'll typically need a headset for calls and video meetings. Some companies provide stipends for home office setup.
Start Your Search Today
Remote administrative work offers a genuine path to a professional career without the credential gatekeeping that blocks so many opportunities. The skills you've built managing life translate directly to these roles—you just need to position yourself correctly.
Companies are actively hiring. The question is whether you'll apply.
Browse remote administrative positions on our job board, or explore other remote jobs that don't require a degree. If you're not sure whether a specific posting actually requires a degree, paste it into our AI Job Decoder to find out what they're really looking for.
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