Telemarketers
SOC code 41-9041 · O*NET-SOC 41-9041.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Sales
Telemarketers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$35,450
a year
Hourly
$17.04
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$37,370
$17.97 per hour
Middle 50%
$29,640 – $40,230
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$27,040 – $50,350
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
58,430
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $27,040
- $13.00/hr
- 25th percentile
- $29,640
- $14.25/hr
- Median percentile
- $35,450
- $17.04/hr
- 75th percentile
- $40,230
- $19.34/hr
- 90th percentile
- $50,350
- $24.21/hr
What does a telemarketer do?
Solicit donations or orders for goods or services over the telephone.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Contact businesses or private individuals by telephone to solicit sales for goods or services, or to request donations for charitable causes.
- Obtain customer information such as name, address, and payment method, and enter orders into computers.
- Explain products or services and prices, and answer questions from customers.
- Record names, addresses, purchases, and reactions of prospects contacted.
- Maintain records of contacts, accounts, and orders.
- Adjust sales scripts to better target the needs and interests of specific individuals.
- Answer telephone calls from potential customers who have been solicited through advertisements.
- Deliver prepared sales talks, reading from scripts that describe products or services, to persuade potential customers to purchase a product or service or to make a donation.
How to become a telemarketer
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 39% 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)39%
- Some College Courses37%
- Less than a High School Diploma20%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree3%
Common questions
How much does a telemarketer earn?
The national median is $35,450 a year. The full range runs from $27,040 at the 10th percentile to $50,350 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 telemarketer 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.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking4.1/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.3/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Writing2.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Sales and Marketing4.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
- Computers and Electronics3.1/5
- Communications and Media3.1/5
- Administrative2.7/5
- Law and Government2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Persuasion, Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Negotiation, Coordination.