Customer Service Representatives
SOC code 43-4051 · O*NET-SOC 43-4051.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation
Customer service representatives handle questions, orders, complaints and account problems by phone, chat or in person. The occupation is huge and exists in nearly every industry, which makes it one of the most portable entry-level roles in the economy. Specialising — insurance, banking, technical products — is how pay rises.
Customer Service Representatives pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$44,770
a year
Hourly
$21.53
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$46,590
$22.40 per hour
Middle 50%
$36,870 – $51,780
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$31,750 – $63,590
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
2,595,750
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $31,750
- $15.27/hr
- 25th percentile
- $36,870
- $17.72/hr
- Median percentile
- $44,770
- $21.53/hr
- 75th percentile
- $51,780
- $24.89/hr
- 90th percentile
- $63,590
- $30.57/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
-5%
Declining
2,814,000
jobs in 2024
2,660,300
projected for 2034
About 153,700 fewer jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a customer service representative do?
Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Confer with customers by telephone or in person to provide information about products or services, take or enter orders, cancel accounts, or obtain details of complaints.
- Keep records of customer interactions or transactions, recording details of inquiries, complaints, or comments, as well as actions taken.
- Check to ensure that appropriate changes were made to resolve customers' problems.
- Contact customers to respond to inquiries or to notify them of claim investigation results or any planned adjustments.
- Resolve customers' service or billing complaints by performing activities such as exchanging merchandise, refunding money, or adjusting bills.
- Determine charges for services requested, collect deposits or payments, or arrange for billing.
- Complete contract forms, prepare change of address records, or issue service discontinuance orders, using computers.
- Refer unresolved customer grievances to designated departments for further investigation.
How to become a customer service representative
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 55% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)55%
- Some College Courses17%
- Bachelor's Degree14%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree14%
Common questions
How much does a customer service representative earn?
The national median is $44,770 a year. The full range runs from $31,750 at the 10th percentile to $63,590 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a customer service representative without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is customer service representative in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.4/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.7/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.5/5
- Sales and Marketing3.5/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
- Administrative3.3/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
- Economics and Accounting2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness.