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How to hire a customer service agent

Customer service agent hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring customer service agents in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a customer service agent is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per customer service agent on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 513,859 customer service agents in the US and 219,115 job openings.
  • Dallas, TX, has the highest demand for customer service agents, with 33 job openings.
  • Atlanta, GA has the highest concentration of customer service agents.

How to hire a customer service agent, step by step

To hire a customer service agent, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a customer service agent:

Here's a step-by-step customer service agent hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a customer service agent job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new customer service agent
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a customer service agent do?

Customer service agents are employees assigned to answer incoming calls to their company's service hotline. They are equipped with proper training on company products and policies so that they can assist customers. Agents answer customer's inquiries, guide them through steps that they may need to take, and take note of customer complaints. For unsatisfied customers, agents try their best to resolve the concerns or transfer the complaints to related departments. They also try to mitigate any problems that may arise. Customer service agents should be patient, and should also have good communication and problem-solving skills.

Learn more about the specifics of what a customer service agent does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your customer service agent job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a customer service agent for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A customer service agent's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, customer service agents from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of customer service agents and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Customer Service AgentDescriptionHourly rate
    Customer Service AgentCustomer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and provide information about an organization’s products and services.$11-17
    Customer Care RepresentativeA customer care representative is responsible for providing resolution with the customer's concerns, following the business' procedures and strategic processes. Customer care representatives must have exceptional customer service skills to address their clients' concerns efficiently and accurately, as well as having extensive knowledge of the products and services their company offer... Show more$12-19
    Customer Care AdvocateA customer care advocate is responsible for monitoring customer transactions, ensuring the highest customer service satisfaction by timely responses and complaint resolution. Customer care advocates recommend strategic procedures and training programs necessary for handling customer support... Show more$11-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Check-In
    • Reservations
    • Inbound Calls
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Customer Service
    • Quality Standards
    • Troubleshoot
    • Outbound Calls
    • Customer Loyalty
    • Customer Care
    • Credit Card Payments
    • FAA
    • TSA
    • Customer Complaints
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Help troubleshoot and fix technology problems over-the-counter with clients while offering professional services to help achieve business goals.
    • Operate different windows while giving excellent customer service.
    • Complete check in for passenger reservations and provide excellent customer service for special circumstances.
    • Respond to live chat and email inquires via ZenDesk.
    • Input all new client data into RQF and Salesforce system.
    • Utilize Salesforce CRM and RiteNow software platforms on a daily basis
    More customer service agent duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your customer service agent job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A customer service agent salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, customer service agents' average salary in mississippi is 41% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level customer service agents earn 38% less than senior-level customer service agents.
    • Certifications. A customer service agent with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a customer service agent's salary.

    Average customer service agent salary

    $14.23hourly

    $29,598 yearly

    Entry-level customer service agent salary
    $23,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 5, 2025

    Average customer service agent salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$34,109$16
    2California$33,509$16
    3Washington$33,198$16
    4Minnesota$32,608$16
    5New York$32,117$15
    6Maine$31,782$15
    7Oregon$30,100$14
    8Colorado$30,038$14
    9Illinois$29,860$14
    10Arizona$28,546$14
    11Iowa$27,623$13
    12Nevada$27,490$13
    13Missouri$27,432$13
    14Ohio$27,264$13
    15Texas$27,045$13
    16Utah$26,991$13
    17Montana$26,750$13
    18Nebraska$26,569$13
    19Indiana$26,534$13
    20Pennsylvania$25,695$12

    Average customer service agent salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Uline$38,924$18.7121
    2H.B. Fuller$38,533$18.53
    3USAA$38,384$18.453
    4GEICO$37,968$18.2588
    5Mountain America Credit Union$37,109$17.84
    6Spectrum$37,092$17.8375
    7CounterPath$36,953$17.77
    8Ecolab$36,525$17.563
    9Farmers Insurance$36,334$17.47171
    10Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply$36,248$17.43
    11Lippert Components$36,159$17.382
    12United Service Technologies$36,089$17.3510
    13CenterPoint Energy$36,027$17.32
    14ConocoPhillips$35,870$17.251
    15UniFirst$35,165$16.91122
    16Cognizant$35,149$16.9033
    17Medline$34,952$16.803
    18UPS$34,930$16.7949
    19Chewy$34,891$16.777
    20Solcius$34,799$16.73
  4. Writing a customer service agent job description

    A good customer service agent job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a customer service agent job description:

    Customer service agent job description example

    1. Agent must be in communication with the supervisor on duty at all times. Will review the daily manning

    and assignment for the day.

    2. Provide wheelchair services (taking the wheelchair to assigned door and wait for passenger) ensuring

    that all security procedures are met. Agent will take passenger through customs and baggage claim to

    the curb only. Agent will not take passenger past curb into parking lot. When finished, agent must call

    supervisor and return wheelchair to its initial position.

    3. Provide security at different areas (only in the stations where the services are provided).

    1. Checkpoint- Greeting passengers as they form a line, check each passenger’s boarding pass,

    ensuring that the correct cities appear, as well as checking for priority classes, time of flight, and

    ensuring that the gate is correct. Agent must also check that each passenger is carrying the

    appropriate amount of baggage per the airline. Agent must ensure that any airport employee

    passing the checkpoint must show a valid ID.

    2. Security at bag room. Ensure that all bags coming from the belt has a valid sticker. Employee

    will remove sticker and place it on the control sheet. The bags will then be place onto a cart (by

    a contracted company, not the employee). Employees must ensure that all bags are accounted

    for.

    3. Security at the assigned gate. Employee will enter the secure area of the jet bridge using their

    employee ID and stand by the door of the airplane and constantly watch both doors to ensure

    that no person without a valid airport ID enters the jet bridge or airplane. Employee will also

    X

    count each cleaner and scan them with the security wand. Employee will fill out a form detailing

    the cleaner count, arrival time of airplane and airplane pushback time.

    4. Security at the ramp for the assigned airline. Employee will receive baggage cart from bag

    room, counting each bag as they are placed onto the airplane. Agent must ensure that there are

    no questionable items placed onto the airplane, and that all bags are accounted for. Agents

    must also ensure that no person (besides ramp workers) are allowed past the airplane

    perimeter.

    4. Porters will stand behind the airline counter awaiting baggage. They will aid the passenger service

    agent or airline employees in weighing the bags, adding a bag tag, and placing bags onto the baggage

    belt. Will make sure no bags are left behind at the counter.

    5. Prevents losses and damage by reporting irregularities

    Competencies

    1. Teamwork Orientation

    2. Stress Management

    3. Ethical Conduct

    4. Good Communication

    5. Customer Service

    Supervisory Responsibility

    This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

    Work Environment

    This job operates at an airport setting and/or outside weather conditions.

    Physical Demands

    This position is very active and requires stand or walk constantly (for up to an entire shift) on various surfaces

    (tile, concrete, carpet). Requires bend/twist at waist/knees/neck, pulling and pushing to perform various duties.

    The employee occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds.

    Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

    This is a full-time or part-time position. Days and hours of work varied from Monday through Sunday, with

    different shifts (service provided to customers is 24/7).

    Travel

    No travel is expected for this position.

    Required Education and Experience

    1. High school diploma or GED.

    Additional Eligibility Qualifications

    1. Must exhibit exceptional customer service and communication skills, both verbal and written

    2. As a condition of employment, employee must successfully complete a background investigation and a

    post-offer/pre-employment drug/alcohol test

    3. Must be able to read, write and speak English and/or Spanish.

    4. Maintain a relationship with both employees and clients

    5. Must possess effective interpersonal skills with ability to deal with all levels of personnel and the

    general public in a professional and effective manner; must be able to use initiative and independent

    judgment within established guidelines

    6. Must be able to read and understand all operating and airport procedures and instructions.

    7. Must be able to handle pressure of working with high volume general public (constantly to occasionally

    depending on assignment)

    Security Clearance (if applicable)

    Must be eligible for CBP seal and pass the criminal background check to obtain the airport ID.

    Other Duties

    Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties

    or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may

    change at any time with or without notice.

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find customer service agents for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your customer service agent job on Zippia to find and recruit customer service agent candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting customer service agents requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new customer service agent

    Once you've found the customer service agent candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a customer service agent?

Recruiting customer service agents involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Customer service agents earn a median yearly salary is $29,598 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find customer service agents for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $11 and $17.

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