Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Customer service representatives typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and are trained on the job. They should be good at communicating and interacting with people. PayThe median hourly wage for customer service representatives was $21.53 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of customer service representatives is projected to decline 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 289,500 openings for customer service representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for customer service representatives. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of customer service representatives with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about customer service representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for customer service representatives was $21.53 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of customer service representatives is projected to decline 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 289,500 openings for customer service representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for customer service representatives. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of customer service representatives with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about customer service representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of customer service representatives is projected to decline 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 289,500 openings for customer service representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for customer service representatives. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of customer service representatives with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about customer service representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and answer questions.
Work Environment
Customer service representatives are employed in nearly every industry. Most work full time.
How to Become a Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and are trained on the job. They should be good at communicating and interacting with people.
Pay
The median hourly wage for customer service representatives was $21.53 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of customer service representatives is projected to decline 5 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 289,500 openings for customer service representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for customer service representatives.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of customer service representatives with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about customer service representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Customer service representatives are employed in nearly every industry. Most work full time.
How to Become a Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and are trained on the job. They should be good at communicating and interacting with people.
Pay
The median hourly wage for customer service representatives was $21.53 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of customer service representatives is projected to decline 5 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 289,500 openings for customer service representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for customer service representatives.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of customer service representatives with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about customer service representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for customer service representatives.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of customer service representatives with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about customer service representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about customer service representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.