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Customer service representative: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$44,770median pay per year, or $21.53 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $31,750lowest 10% earn less
  2. $36,87025th percentile
  3. $44,770median
  4. $51,78075th percentile
  5. $63,590top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

The median pay for a customer service representative was $44,770 a year in May 2025[1]. Entry usually needs a high school diploma and short on-the-job training, and BLS projects the number of jobs to fall by 5.3% from 2025 to 2035[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-5.3%[3]
Openings per year
289,500[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[2]

How much do customer service representatives make?

The median wage was $44,770 a year, or $21.53 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) wage was $46,590 a year, or $22.40 an hour[7]. For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[5].

The range is wide. These are the annual percentile wages:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[4][8] $31,750 $15.27
25th[4][8] $36,870 $17.72
75th[4][8] $51,780 $24.89
90th[4][8] $63,590 $30.57

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $31,750[4][9]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers, full time and part time. They leave out self-employed people, and they do not include nonproduction bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 2,595,750 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Washington had the highest state median at $50,330, followed by California at $49,560 and Massachusetts at $49,120[12]. Mississippi was last on the list at $36,380[12].

The most jobs were in Texas (337,170), Florida (228,000) and California (176,850)[13]. Texas and Florida had medians of $40,420 and $40,440[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $60,480[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA was next at $57,830, then Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $53,550[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, at 125,570, with a median of $49,590[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[12]$50,33039,760
California$49,560176,850
Massachusetts$49,12049,990
Minnesota$48,80053,340
District of Columbia$48,2507,550
Delaware$48,1907,470
Connecticut$48,09024,490
New York$48,000141,090
New Jersey$47,74059,690
Rhode Island$47,5507,890
Colorado$47,54038,770
Vermont$47,5002,870
Oregon$47,45019,440
New Hampshire$47,30012,750
Maine$47,1607,560
Wisconsin$46,97050,840
Illinois$46,130100,970
Iowa$46,09030,100
Arizona$45,69087,020
Hawaii$45,6508,010
Ohio$45,61085,930
Montana$45,2904,910
Alaska$45,1502,410
North Dakota$44,6705,750
Pennsylvania$44,63094,340
Missouri$44,19050,530
Michigan$43,95071,310
Nebraska$43,94015,340
Idaho$43,20018,770
Indiana$43,14044,630
Utah$43,14044,490
Maryland$42,83037,740
Tennessee$42,83059,730
Virginia$42,73059,850
Wyoming$42,3402,110
South Dakota$40,6506,120
Nevada$40,56032,110
Florida$40,440228,000
Texas$40,420337,170
Kansas$40,32029,200
North Carolina$40,24089,510
Georgia$39,63097,850
New Mexico$39,03016,950
South Carolina$38,86051,000
Kentucky$38,70038,630
Oklahoma$38,65034,460
West Virginia$38,4309,860
Alabama$38,40033,290
Arkansas$37,84020,680
Louisiana$37,33025,780
Mississippi$36,38020,860

How to become a customer service representative

Some people have more schooling. BLS says some representatives have postsecondary education, which may include a bachelor's degree in business, communications or social science[20]. In an O*NET survey of 26 workers, 55% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required[21]. Another 17% said some college courses, 14% a bachelor's degree and 14% an associate's degree[21].

Finance and insurance work can take longer. Training there may last several months because of complicated rules[17]. Representatives who give out finance or insurance information may need a state license. Requirements vary by state and usually include passing an exam[22].

What customer service representatives do

O*NET describes the job as answering routine questions about products and services, and sometimes handling general complaints[23]. Common tasks include:

Good communication, listening and patience matter, especially with unhappy customers[25][26][27].

Where they work

Representatives work in nearly every industry. Retail trade was the largest employer, at 15% of jobs in 2025[28][29]. Some work in a large shared room that can be noisy, and some companies allow work from home[28]. Supervisors may monitor calls for quality, and dealing with dissatisfied customers can be stressful[28]. In retail stores, representatives may be on their feet for hours[30].

Most representatives work full time and some work part time. Busy times, including evenings, weekends and holidays, may require work[31]. Call centers open around the clock may need early morning or late night shifts[32]. Only 0.5% were self-employed in 2025[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to fall 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,666,000 to 2,524,100 jobs[3]. For all occupations, BLS projects growth of 3.5%[3][34]. BLS names advances in speech and language processing and artificial intelligence as a factor, since computers can handle more customer interactions[35].

Jobs still open up. BLS projects about 289,500 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 5% of workers leave the labor force and 6.7% move to a different occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

The job has a low barrier to entry. A high school diploma, no related experience and a few weeks of training are the typical path[2][17]. The median pay is below the all-occupations median, though the highest-paid 10% earned more than $63,590[1][5][4]. Employment is projected to shrink, but openings remain frequent because many people move on[3][6][36]. The work involves handling complaints, possible call monitoring and varied shifts[28][31][32].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a customer service representative make an hour?
The median was $21.53 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $22.40[1][7]. The 10th percentile was $15.27 and the 90th was $30.57[8].
What education do you need to be a customer service representative?
A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry education, with no related work experience needed[2].
How long does it take to become a customer service representative?
Training is usually short-term and lasts 2 to 4 weeks[17]. Finance and insurance jobs may need several months[17].
Is customer service representative a growing job?
No. BLS projects a 5.3% decline from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[3][34]. About 289,500 openings a year are still projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for customer service representatives?
Washington had the highest median, at $50,330[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Customer Service Representatives in the US was $44,770 per year and $21.53 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Customer Service Representatives: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Customer Service Representatives is projected to decline 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,666,000 to 2,524,100 jobs (a change of -141,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Customer Service Representatives: 10th percentile $31,750, 25th percentile $36,870, 75th percentile $51,780, 90th percentile $63,590. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 289,500 openings for Customer Service Representatives are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Customer Service Representatives was $46,590 per year and $22.40 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Customer Service Representatives: 10th percentile $15.27, 25th percentile $17.72, 75th percentile $24.89, 90th percentile $30.57. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 2,595,750 people were employed as Customer Service Representatives in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Customer Service Representatives in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Customer Service Representatives jobs: Texas 337,170; Florida 228,000; California 176,850; New York 141,090; Illinois 100,970. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Customer Service Representatives (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $60,480; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,830; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $53,550; Napa, CA $53,360; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $51,810; Vallejo, CA $51,210; Burlington-South Burlington, VT $50,160; Stockton-Lodi, CA $49,990. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Customer Service Representatives jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 125,570 (median $49,590); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 96,930 (median $44,990); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 75,240 (median $47,100); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 68,930 (median $46,410); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 66,590 (median $48,840); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 65,510 (median $40,380). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 43-4051.00 survey of workers (26 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 55%, Some College Courses 17%, Bachelor's Degree 14%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 14% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Customer Service Representatives. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Customer Service Representatives. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of customer service representatives in 2025: Retail trade 15%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: 0.5% of Customer Service Representatives were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Customer Service Representatives: Capital/labor substitution - share decreases as advances in speech and language processing and in artificial intelligence (AI) allow computers to handle customer service interactions with greater frequency. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Customer Service Representatives: 5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.