Customer Service Representatives
Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and answer questions.
Is customer service representatives a good career?
It scores 46/100 and ranks #46 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- High volume of openings — about 341,700 a year
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($44,770 vs $61,390)
- Employment is projected to decline (-5.5% through 2034)
What customer service representatives earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. customer service representatives earn between $36,870 and $51,780 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Live customer service representatives jobs
Customer Success Manager (French speaking)
Customer Success Manager (German speaking)
Customer Success Manager (Greater China)
How to become a customer service representative
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Customer service representatives typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation. However, some of these workers have postsecondary education that may include a bachelor's degree in fields such as business, communications, and social science.
Training
Customer service representatives usually receive short-term on-the-job training, which typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Those who work in finance and insurance may need several months of training to learn complicated financial regulations.
General customer-service training may focus on procedures for answering questions, information about a company’s products and services, and computer and telephone use. Trainees often receive guidance from an experienced worker for the first few weeks of employment.
In certain industries, such as finance and insurance, customer service representatives must stay current with changing regulations.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Customer service representatives who provide information about finance and insurance may need a state license. Although licensing requirements vary by state, they usually include passing an exam. Some employers and organizations provide training for these exams.
Advancement
With experience, customer service representatives may advance to supervisory roles.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Customer service representatives must be able to provide clear information in writing, by phone, or in person.
Customer-service skills. Representatives help companies retain customers by professionally answering questions and helping to resolve complaints.
Interpersonal skills. Representatives should be able to create positive interactions with customers.
Listening skills. Representatives must listen carefully to ensure that they understand customers in order to assist them.
Patience. Representatives should be patient and polite, especially when interacting with dissatisfied customers.
Problem-solving skills. Representatives must determine solutions to customers’ problems. By doing so, representatives contribute to customer loyalty and retention.
Related occupations
How much do customer service representatives make?
The national median wage is $44,770 a year, with the middle half earning between $36,870 and $51,780 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is customer service representatives a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 46 of 100 and ranks #46 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -5.5% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a customer service representative?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do customer service representatives earn the most?
Among states, Washington pays the highest median ($50,330). Local pay for every state and metro is below.