Customer service representatives
SOC Code: 43-4051Also known as:
Account Adjuster, Account Representative, Adjustment Clerk, Automotive Service Advisor, Automotive Service Writer
Median Annual Salary
$42,830
-5.5% growth (2024-2034)
342K
Openings/Year
2.8M
Current Jobs
What Customer service representatives 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.
💰 Salary
$42,830
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-5.5%
Decline
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
342K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
2,814,000
Projected Employment (2034)
2,660,300
Related Careers
Telemarketers
$34,410 •
-22.1% growth
Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks
$49,130 •
-6.2% growth
New accounts clerks
$46,610 •
-13.2% growth
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks
$48,450 •
-3.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Service Orientation
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Customer service representatives
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a customer service representatives:
Customer Service Support/Call Center/Teleservice Operation
3,621 degrees awarded •
27 colleges offer this program
Receptionist
87 degrees awarded •
11 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Customer service representatives
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become customer service representatives.
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do customer service representatives make?
The median annual salary for customer service representatives is $42,830.
What education do customer service representatives need?
Most customer service representatives positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Customer Service Support/Call Center/Teleservice Operation, Receptionist.
Is becoming customer service representatives a good career choice?
Customer service representatives is projected to see -5.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 341,700 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for customer service representatives?
Top colleges for aspiring customer service representatives include
Sinclair Community College, Central Georgia Technical College, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Northwood Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to customer service representatives?
Customer service representatives may also be known as: Account Adjuster, Account Representative, Adjustment Clerk, Automotive Service Advisor, Automotive Service Writer, Bill Adjuster, Call Center Representative, Claims Customer Service Representative (Claims CSR), Clerical Adjudicator, Client Relations Specialist, Client Service Representative (Client Service Rep), Client Services Representative, Client Support Professional, Compensation Adjuster, Complaints Adjuster, Complaints Clerk, Contact Center Specialist, Customer Advocate, Customer Care Representative (CCR), Customer Care Service Representative.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.