Post job

What is a customer service assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
introduction image

A customer service assistant provides support to customers throughout the purchase cycle. They answer queries, resolve complaints, and provide guidance on products or services. Customer service assistants work in retail stores, call centers, or online platforms. Their duties include managing customer accounts, processing orders, handling returns, and maintaining records. A customer service assistant needs to work well under pressure and maintain a positive attitude in challenging situations.

ScoreCustomer Service AssistantUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $33,862

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.9

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.65%

Asian 6.55%

Black or African American 12.43%

Hispanic or Latino 22.85%

Unknown 5.43%

White 52.09%

Gender

female 70.32%

male 29.68%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress level
5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a customer service assistant?

Pros

  • Potential for career advancement within the company

  • Opportunity to work in a team environment

  • Possibility of receiving performance-based incentives or bonuses

  • Job security, as customer service is always in demand

  • Often includes benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans

Cons

  • Repetitive nature of the job can become monotonous over time

  • Limited opportunities for creativity or autonomy in decision-making

  • High call volume and fast-paced environment can lead to burnout

  • Low pay compared to other industries

  • Training may be inadequate, leaving employees feeling ill-equipped to handle certain situations

Customer service assistant career paths

Key steps to become a customer service assistant

  1. Explore customer service assistant education requirements

    Most common customer service assistant degrees

    Bachelor's

    40.4 %

    High School Diploma

    24.7 %

    Associate

    22.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific customer service assistant skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Front End17.06%
    Customer Service16.60%
    Service Calls11.12%
    Work Ethic7.55%
    Groceries3.59%
  3. Complete relevant customer service assistant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New customer service assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a customer service assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real customer service assistant resumes.
  4. Research customer service assistant duties and responsibilities

    • Utilize CRM (Zendex) to record track and manage inquiries.
    • Interact extensively with customers to achieve timely issue resolution while maintaining high standards for dock organization and cleanliness.
    • Raise store revenue through recognize customer service relations, store organization and cleanliness.
    • Clean interior and exterior windows.
  5. Prepare your customer service assistant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your customer service assistant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a customer service assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable customer service assistant resume templates

    Build a professional customer service assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your customer service assistant resume.
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
    Customer Service Assistant Resume
  6. Apply for customer service assistant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a customer service assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first customer service assistant job

Zippi

Are you a customer service assistant?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average customer service assistant salary

The average customer service assistant salary in the United States is $33,862 per year or $16 per hour. Customer service assistant salaries range between $26,000 and $42,000 per year.

Average customer service assistant salary
$33,862 Yearly
$16.28 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do customer service assistants rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Customer service assistant reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Pros

I got to do a variety of tasks daily. Got treated with respect from management and other coworkers.

Cons

Sometimes I had to finish up job tasks that were assigned to others that were not completed.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Pros

Supporting and interacting with the customers


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

I enjoy helping to be the glue to hold people together as friends. I enjoy talking on the phone . I enjoy learning new things about people.


Working as a customer service assistant? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Customer service assistant FAQs

Search for customer service assistant jobs

Customer service assistant jobs by state

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs