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Job outlook for customer relations specialists in the United States
Customer relations specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected customer relations specialist job growth rate is -4% from 2018-2028.
About -105,300 new jobs for customer relations specialists are projected over the next decade.
Customer relations specialist salaries have increased 11% for customer relations specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 350,733 customer relations specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 215,862 active customer relations specialist job openings in the US.
The average customer relations specialist salary is $37,827.
Are customer relations specialist jobs in demand?
Customer relations specialist job and salary trends over time
Customer relations specialist jobs over time
Customer relations specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 350,733 | 0.10% |
| 2020 | 356,545 | 0.11% |
| 2019 | 367,365 | 0.11% |
| 2018 | 361,346 | 0.11% |
| 2017 | 348,307 | 0.11% |
Average customer relations specialist salary over time
Customer relations specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,827 | $18.19 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $36,645 | $17.62 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $35,631 | $17.13 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $34,723 | $16.69 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $34,101 | $16.39 | +1.8% |
Customer relations specialist jobs by state
Most common states for customer relations specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 404 | 58% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 576 | 43% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 391 | 41% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,235 | 39% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 518 | 39% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 236 | 38% |
| 7 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 2,483 | 35% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,300 | 34% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1,030 | 33% |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,882 | 32% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 3,971 | 31% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,761 | 31% |
| 13 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,980 | 30% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,697 | 30% |
| 15 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 6,017 | 29% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,040 | 29% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 312 | 29% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 221 | 29% |
| 19 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,933 | 28% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 290 | 28% |
Most common cities for customer relations specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duluth | 2 | 7% | $34,058 |
| 2 | Dublin | 2 | 4% | $32,878 |
| 3 | Tyler | 3 | 3% | $39,191 |
| 4 | Westminster | 3 | 3% | $33,084 |
| 5 | Addison | 1 | 3% | $38,909 |
| 6 | Algonquin | 1 | 3% | $38,873 |
| 7 | Barnstable Town | 1 | 2% | $50,861 |
| 8 | Burnsville | 1 | 2% | $34,749 |
| 9 | Fort Lauderdale | 2 | 1% | $34,131 |
| 10 | Saint Louis | 2 | 1% | $39,473 |
| 11 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $50,148 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 5 | 0% | $44,237 |
| 13 | Arlington | 1 | 0% | $39,170 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $34,110 |
| 15 | Bakersfield | 1 | 0% | $44,736 |
| 16 | Buffalo | 1 | 0% | $46,761 |
Customer Relations Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of customer relations specialist experts
Charleston Southern University
Rowan University
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Binghamton University, SUNY
The Ohio State University at Lima
North Carolina Central University
Forsyth County, Georgia
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 Relations Specialist?
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 Relations Specialist 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 Relations Specialists 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
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorRowan University
Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural education
How would you rate the starting salaries for Customer Relations Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.: Educators are not paid nearly enough. However, working in a state with strong teachers' unions helps to ensure a starting salary that recent graduates can live off of and growth opportunities, albeit modest, over their careers.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Customer Relations Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Ng'ang'a Muchiri: I think the synergy between AI, machine learning, and the humanities, in general, will be exciting. There are whole product lines and industries currently just beyond our reach.
Matthew McConn
Associate Professor of English Education, Department ChairBinghamton University, SUNY
Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership
What general advice would you give to a Customer Relations Specialist?
Matthew McConn: It's best to be fully certified before you sit for an interview. That means completing the EdTPA and all certification exams. Students tend to put off the EdTPA portfolio, and it hurts their chances when interviewed, since administrators would have to risk the applicant not passing their exam. However, during the pandemic, there have been some alternative options for candidates, so I would strongly recommend they familiarize themselves with those alternatives.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Customer Relations Specialists to find work opportunities?
Leah Herner-Patnode: Usually, urban areas of bigger cities and southern states, such as North Carolina, have many openings. Maine, Florida, California, Hawaii, Washington, and Texas are the most open positions.
Elisha Blankson
Program Director NCCU, Assistant ProfessorNorth Carolina Central University
Communication Disorders Department
What type of skills will young Customer Relations Specialists need?
Elisha Blankson: Graduates will need a skill set about the field in which they received training and additional skills useful to the job market. For example, with the changing demographics in the United States, extra skills in information technology and foreign languages will be a plus when entering the job market.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Customer Relations Specialists to find work opportunities?
Donna Kukarola: This one, not so sure of, the southeast continues to see options as well as mid-western states.