Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between call center specialists and call center agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a call center specialist and a call center agent. Additionally, a call center specialist has an average salary of $33,289, which is higher than the $31,180 average annual salary of a call center agent.
The top three skills for a call center specialist include strong customer service, patients and customer service. The most important skills for a call center agent are customer service, strong customer service, and data entry.
| Call Center Specialist | Call Center Agent | |
| Yearly salary | $33,289 | $31,180 |
| Hourly rate | $16.00 | $14.99 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 228,936 | 131,722 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A call center specialist is responsible for providing the customers with the highest quality service by responding to their inquiries and concerns and resolving their complaints. Call center specialists assist the customers in taking their orders, processing payments, and verifying transaction details. They may also sell new goods and services to the customers according to their needs and budget limitations to generate more revenue resources for the business and enhance the brand's image. A call center specialist must have excellent communication and computer skills to navigate databases and update customer's information accurately.
A call center agent is responsible for answering calls and assisting clients by responding to inquiries. They also handle complaints and resolve issues, troubleshoot errors, and process applications. The tasks of a call center agent will vary on the directives of supervisors. There are instances when they must make calls to gather or give information, sell products, and discuss a particular subject. Furthermore, most of the duties take place in a team setting, which is why it is essential to coordinate with colleagues and adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Call center specialists and call center agents have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Call Center Specialist | Call Center Agent | |
| Average salary | $33,289 | $31,180 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $43,000 | Between $23,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Hospice of Marion County | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a call center specialist and a call center agent in terms of educational background:
| Call Center Specialist | Call Center Agent | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between call center specialists' and call center agents' demographics:
| Call Center Specialist | Call Center Agent | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.7% Female, 69.3% | Male, 30.8% Female, 69.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 5.9% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |