Customer Service Representative: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Customer Service Representatives earn a national median of $42,830/yr with -5.5% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Administration and Management.

Median Salary

$42,830

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

-5.5%

Declining

Employed Nationally

2,725,930

2024 data

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Customer Service Representative

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Customer Service Representative candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Active Listening 2 Service Orientation 3 Speaking 4 Reading Comprehension 5 Critical Thinking 6 Complex Problem Solving 7 Time Management 8 Writing 9 Monitoring 10 Social Perceptiveness

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Customer Service Representative performance, based on verified occupational data.

Customer and Personal Service English Language Administration and Management Sales and Marketing Mathematics

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Customer Service Representative roles.

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Apple macOS Facebook Google Docs

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow -5.5% for Customer Service Representative roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's declining compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
2,725,930
Projected Growth
-5.5%
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Customer Service Representative do?
Customer Service Representatives apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Administration and Management to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Service Orientation, Speaking, Reading Comprehension.
How much does a Customer Service Representative make?
The national median salary for a Customer Service Representative is $42,830 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Customer Service Representative a good career in 2026?
Employment for Customer Service Representative roles is projected to grow -5.5% over the 2024–2034 decade — declining compared to all occupations. There are currently 2,725,930 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Customer Service Representative?
The typical entry-level education for a Customer Service Representative is High school diploma or equivalent. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Customer Service Representatives need?
The most important skills for Customer Service Representative roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Service Orientation, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Writing, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness. Key tools and technologies include: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.