What Customer Service Representatives do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Customer Service Representatives this way: "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 core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "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"; "Refer unresolved customer grievances to designated departments for further investigation"; "Determine charges for services requested, collect deposits or payments, or arrange for billing".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Customer Service Representatives
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 2,666,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 2,524,100 in 2035, a decrease of 141,900 jobs (-5.3%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 289,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 10.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $44,770, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Customer Service Representatives earn the most
Across the 42 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $38,554 in Oklahoma to $50,850 in Washington, a gap of $12,296 (1.32 times). 20 of those 42 states average above the BLS national median of $44,770 and 22 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 300,950, which is 9.9% of the 3,041,600 counted across them. Florida follows with 199,440.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($50,850), California ($50,413) and New Hampshire ($49,454) lead the ranking, while Oklahoma ($38,554) and Alabama ($38,628) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Customer Service Representatives: pay against the cost of living
We compare 84 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Milwaukee County, WI (Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI) at $19,302. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $1,034 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 83 of the 84 markets and falls short in 1. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 31.3% and 82.2% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Customer Service Representatives
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-4000) include Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs, Court, Municipal, and License Clerks, Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan and Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks.
Frequently asked questions about Customer Service Representatives
How much do Customer Service Representatives earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $44,770. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $38,554 to $50,850.
Which state pays Customer Service Representatives the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $50,850. California is next at $50,413.
Is Customer Service Representatives a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 5.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 289,500 openings a year.
What education do Customer Service Representatives need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Customer Service Representatives afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Milwaukee County, WI leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $19,302 on a median wage of $47,840.