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Job outlook for customer associates in the United States
Customer associate job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected customer associate job growth rate is -4% from 2018-2028.
About -105,300 new jobs for customer associates are projected over the next decade.
Customer associate salaries have increased 11% for customer associates in the last 5 years.
There are over 1,059,574 customer associates currently employed in the United States.
There are 191,027 active customer associate job openings in the US.
The average customer associate salary is $32,989.
Are customer associate jobs in demand?
Customer associate job and salary trends over time
Customer associate jobs over time
Customer associate job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,059,574 | 0.31% |
| 2020 | 1,077,130 | 0.32% |
| 2019 | 1,109,818 | 0.33% |
| 2018 | 1,091,634 | 0.33% |
| 2017 | 1,052,244 | 0.32% |
Average customer associate salary over time
Customer associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $32,989 | $15.86 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $31,958 | $15.36 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $31,074 | $14.94 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $30,282 | $14.56 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $29,739 | $14.30 | +1.8% |
Customer associate jobs by state
Most common states for customer associates
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 694 | 52% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 458 | 48% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 579 | 43% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 289 | 42% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 262 | 42% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,187 | 39% |
| 7 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 2,662 | 38% |
| 8 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,181 | 38% |
| 9 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 2,493 | 37% |
| 10 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 4,668 | 36% |
| 11 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 604 | 35% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 3,553 | 34% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,883 | 34% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,203 | 34% |
| 15 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,249 | 33% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,926 | 33% |
| 17 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 6,554 | 31% |
| 18 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 3,562 | 31% |
| 19 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,599 | 31% |
| 20 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,507 | 31% |
Most common cities for customer associates
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanford | 3 | 5% | $33,857 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 2 | 5% | $31,836 |
| 3 | Carson City | 2 | 4% | $36,331 |
| 4 | Lansing | 3 | 3% | $28,971 |
| 5 | Grand Rapids | 4 | 2% | $28,784 |
| 6 | Clearwater | 2 | 2% | $34,404 |
| 7 | Boston | 6 | 1% | $44,698 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $28,150 |
| 9 | Baltimore | 4 | 1% | $31,942 |
| 10 | Irvine | 3 | 1% | $47,216 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $29,844 |
| 12 | Chandler | 2 | 1% | $36,599 |
| 13 | Chicago | 7 | 0% | $38,063 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $47,526 |
| 15 | New York | 3 | 0% | $44,133 |
| 16 | Austin | 2 | 0% | $34,801 |
| 17 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $37,597 |
Customer Associate job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of customer associate experts
Charleston Southern University
San Diego Mesa College
Sally Hiott B.S. MBA, DBA
Assistant Professor of MarketingCharleston Southern University
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Customer Associate?
Sally Hiott B.S. MBA, DBA: Show employers how you would not only fill an open position regarding the work at hand, but show them how you would be an asset to their team. We are in very team driven work environments currently, and hiring managers want to know what you can bring to the table. Filling a void is great for the workload, but enhancing a team culture makes them not want to work without you!
What Customer Associate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sally Hiott B.S. MBA, DBA: To stay flexible! The workplace is constantly changing and to be a good employee you need to recognize this. Being agreeable to change and willing to take on more than your job description lines you up for larger opportunities when they arise.
What will help Customer Associates increase their earning potential?
Sally Hiott B.S. MBA, DBA: The most wanted skill set that is on the rise are what we call "soft skills". Research shows us that with the increase in AI abilities for the workplace that it is becoming more and more important for humans to possess and exercise soft skills. These are things like respectful and caring communication on the front lines. Being intuitive and remaining calm when faced with upset customers. There are a lot more examples, but these soft skills increase your organizations relationships with your customers, which is why they are so highly valued
Meegan Feori Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSan Diego Mesa College
Department is Business Department
What general advice would you give to a Customer Associate?
Meegan Feori Ph.D.: Consider your career in terms of what you are willing to do right now to support yourself and be self-sufficient. During the last recession, I was underemployed, working as a part-time pool lifeguard and making funnel cakes at a local amusement park. Not ideal, but with my funds running low, it was necessary. A third part-time position I had, updating apparel tech packs, did pave my way to a full-time job in the fashion industry. So hustle and be flexible. Also, take time to consider what you can do to create opportunities for yourself. This could include an internship, volunteering, taking a warehouse position at a fashion brand, or completing a class that interests you. The best advice I was ever given was to keep pursuing your goals and accept that what you will be doing in ten years will be better than you ever imagined. The advice came true for me, and I think it will be true for you as well.