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The 10 Best States for Customer Service Representatives in 2026
Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) remain one of the most prevalent job roles across the United States. With the rise of remote and hybrid work models, CSRs are now more dispersed than ever, making their presence felt in every state—not just in tech hubs like California or in the South.
At Zippia, we have analyzed where CSRs experience the best job opportunities, competitive salaries, and career advancement potential throughout their professional journey. Understanding the evolving landscape of customer service roles in 2026 is essential for job seekers.
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other reliable sources, we have identified the states that offer the most favorable conditions for Customer Service Representatives in terms of job availability and compensation.
Here are the top 10 states for Customer Service Representatives in 2026:
This list highlights the best states for Customer Service Representatives, emphasizing the regions where job seekers can find ample opportunities and fair compensation.
Curious about how we compiled this ranking? Read on to discover our methodology and learn more about the top states for Customer Service Representatives.
For those interested in exploring the job market further, check out:
- The 10 Best Small Companies to Work for in Davenport
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Iowa
- The 100 Largest Companies in Iowa
How We Determined the Best States for Customer Service Representatives
At Zippia, we engage with job seekers from diverse backgrounds. Our research indicates that two primary factors matter most to them:
- Job availability
- Competitive pay
To identify the best states for Customer Service Representatives, we analyzed where job opportunities are abundant and salaries are competitive. Our criteria were derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics and included:
- Location quotient: A measure of how prevalent a job is in a given state.
- Average annual salary.
- Average annual salary for entry-level positions.
- Average annual salary for experienced professionals.
We normalized salary data according to each state’s cost of living. This approach ensures fair comparisons; for instance, while the average salary for CSRs in California may be higher than in Illinois, the latter’s salary often stretches further due to lower living costs.
Each state was then ranked on each criterion from 1 to 50, with 1 representing the best. By averaging these rankings, we calculated an overall Job Score, with the lowest score designating the best state for Customer Service Representatives.
1. Iowa
Total Jobs: 32,730
Average Annual Salary: $37,400
Average Entry Level Salary: $23,320
Average Experienced Salary: $53,740
Location Quotient: 1.07
2. Michigan
Total Jobs: 90,310
Average Annual Salary: $36,650
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,400
Average Experienced Salary: $57,160
Location Quotient: 1.05
3. Kansas
Total Jobs: 33,780
Average Annual Salary: $35,330
Average Entry Level Salary: $22,340
Average Experienced Salary: $51,710
Location Quotient: 1.24
4. Wisconsin
Total Jobs: 72,200
Average Annual Salary: $37,850
Average Entry Level Salary: $22,900
Average Experienced Salary: $56,260
Location Quotient: 1.28
5. Illinois
Total Jobs: 120,270
Average Annual Salary: $37,840
Average Entry Level Salary: $22,420
Average Experienced Salary: $58,240
Location Quotient: 1.01
6. Nebraska
Total Jobs: 20,570
Average Annual Salary: $35,730
Average Entry Level Salary: $23,290
Average Experienced Salary: $51,110
Location Quotient: 1.06
7. Minnesota
Total Jobs: 58,710
Average Annual Salary: $39,690
Average Entry Level Salary: $24,060
Average Experienced Salary: $59,020
Location Quotient: 1.03
8. Indiana
Total Jobs: 56,030
Average Annual Salary: $36,200
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,380
Average Experienced Salary: $55,570
Location Quotient: 0.93
9. Georgia
Total Jobs: 109,940
Average Annual Salary: $35,130
Average Entry Level Salary: $20,000
Average Experienced Salary: $53,310
Location Quotient: 1.26
10. Tennessee
Total Jobs: 60,960
Average Annual Salary: $34,420
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,030
Average Experienced Salary: $51,360
Location Quotient: 1.04
There You Have It – The Best States to Be a Customer Service Representative
If you’re considering a career as a Customer Service Representative, these states should be high on your list. They offer competitive salaries, abundant job opportunities, and pathways for career growth.
Curious about the least favorable states for Customer Service Representatives? Here are the bottom three:
Detailed List of the Best States for Customer Service Representatives
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | $37,400 |
| 2 | Michigan | $36,650 |
| 3 | Kansas | $35,330 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $37,850 |
| 5 | Illinois | $37,840 |
| 6 | Nebraska | $35,730 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $39,690 |
| 8 | Indiana | $36,200 |
| 9 | Georgia | $35,130 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $34,420 |
| 11 | Washington | $40,820 |
| 12 | Utah | $33,790 |
| 13 | Missouri | $35,020 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $36,400 |
| 15 | Texas | $33,770 |
| 16 | Ohio | $35,980 |
| 17 | Delaware | $38,060 |
| 18 | North Carolina | $34,690 |
| 19 | Arizona | $34,570 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $37,910 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $37,000 |
| 22 | Kentucky | $32,230 |
| 23 | Arkansas | $32,350 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $32,790 |
| 25 | Alabama | $33,580 |
| 26 | Idaho | $32,390 |
| 27 | Colorado | $37,390 |
| 28 | Florida | $33,730 |
| 29 | Virginia | $35,030 |
| 30 | South Carolina | $32,320 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $31,380 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $31,730 |
| 33 | Nevada | $33,690 |
| 34 | Louisiana | $32,440 |
| 35 | Maine | $34,950 |
| 36 | Montana | $34,910 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $28,210 |
| 38 | New Hampshire | $38,930 |
| 39 | Massachusetts | $43,620 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $31,150 |
| 41 | New Jersey | $40,330 |
| 42 | Connecticut | $41,160 |
| 43 | Rhode Island | $38,970 |
| 44 | Oregon | $37,570 |
| 45 | New York | $40,830 |
| 46 | Vermont | $37,760 |
| 47 | Maryland | $37,720 |
| 48 | California | $41,850 |
| 49 | Alaska | $39,300 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $38,670 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
