The Average Salaries for Customer Service Work
Customer service work is provided by customer service representatives, who present a human face to clients of a company. They respond to customer inquiries, solve problems and handle complaints diplomatically. Most positions require at least a high school diploma, and most employers provide training. Communication and problem-solving skills are necessities, and so is the ability to use computers.
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Salaries
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Customer service reps make a median hourly wage of $14.56, which is a yearly salary of $30,290, as of May 2009, states the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The lowest 10 percent earn $9.33 or $19,410, while the highest 10 percent make $23.57 or $49,020.
Industries
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According to the BLS, the industries paying the most for customer service reps are: the postal service, with compensation at $28.61 or $59,510; pipeline transportation of natural gas, at $25.90 or $53,870; and support activities for water transportation, at $22.75 or $47,320. These industries differ from those providing the most job opportunities, which are business support services, with compensation at $12.55 or $26,090, insurance carriers at $16.82 or $34,990, and depository credit intermediation at $15.28 or $31,790.
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States
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The states with the highest-paying jobs for customer service reps are: Connecticut, with pay at $18.40 or $38,260; California, at $18.07 or $37,580; and Delaware, at $17.87 or $37,170. However, these do not offer the greatest concentrations of jobs. The states that do are Arizona, with pay at $15.45 or $32,130, Georgia at $15.39 or $32,010, and Utah at $13.25 or $27,570.
Cities
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The cities with the best-paying employers are: San Jose, California, with salaries at $22.06 or $45,880; Bridgeport, Connecticut, at $20.37 or $42,360; and San Francisco, at $20.33 or $42,280. These do not match the cities offering the most jobs per capita, which are: Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with salaries at $12.62 or $26,250; Valdosta, Georgia, at $9.53 or $19,830; and Clarksville, Tennessee, at $13.17 or $27,400.
Outlook
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The BLS predicts that jobs for customer service reps will grow by 18 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is faster than the average for all professions. Companies are placing a premium on customer service to retain business. Although some corporations still relocate their customer service departments to foreign shores, the trend is less common, because foreign workers do not have the same cultural sensitivity as those within the U.S. Job prospects will be good, with demand outstripping the supply of workers.
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References
- Photo Credit customer service image by Kurhan from Fotolia.com
