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The differences between call center specialists and call center associates 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 associate. Additionally, a call center specialist has an average salary of $33,289, which is higher than the $31,363 average annual salary of a call center associate.
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 associate are patients, inbound calls, and customer service.
| Call Center Specialist | Call Center Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $33,289 | $31,363 |
| Hourly rate | $16.00 | $15.08 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 228,936 | 198,167 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| 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.
Call center associates are professionals who are responsible for taking inbound and outbound customer calls and handle responsibilities that include account inquiries, customer complaints, or product and support issues. These associates are required to provide quality assistance and customer service so that they can receive positive reviews from their customers. They must assist customers with technical support issues, which include updating product documentation and training materials. Call center associates must also accurately identify their customers' needs and objectives so that they can achieve the organization's sales goals.
Call center specialists and call center associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Call Center Specialist | Call Center Associate | |
| Average salary | $33,289 | $31,363 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $43,000 | Between $22,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Albany, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Hospice of Marion County | Spectrum |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a call center specialist and a call center associate in terms of educational background:
| Call Center Specialist | Call Center Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between call center specialists' and call center associates' demographics:
| Call Center Specialist | Call Center Associate | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.7% Female, 69.3% | Male, 35.0% Female, 65.0% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |