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The differences between customer service clerks and customer service representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a customer service clerk and a customer service representative. Additionally, a customer service clerk has an average salary of $33,566, which is higher than the $32,260 average annual salary of a customer service representative.
The top three skills for a customer service clerk include customer service, basic math and front end. The most important skills for a customer service representative are cleanliness, POS, and data entry.
| Customer Service Clerk | Customer Service Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $33,566 | $32,260 |
| Hourly rate | $16.14 | $15.51 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 361,383 | 209,515 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A customer service clerk is responsible for resolving client issues, giving requested information, and providing clients high-quality customer service. Customer service clerks' tasks include sharing information, responding to and recording requests, collecting payments, and resolving billing disputes. Also, they ensure that products or services are delivered promptly to customers. Applicants to the job must be able to listen and communicate well. They must have excellent customer service skills and be able to multitask. Skills in conflict resolution and problem-solving will also give them an edge.
Customer service representatives are the first point of contact of the customers, acting as the frontiers of the company and help in driving customer loyalty and retention by leaving a great impression and resolving all of their concerns. They accommodate customer queries by providing useful and comprehensive information about any products or services. Some would use that as an opportunity to market and promote more sales. The most challenging issues they use to handle are customer complaints and processing of refunds and returns. They also assist in basic troubleshooting or accounts and payment setup with the use of specific guidelines or step by step procedures. At most, they help and solve customer issues on their own, but sometimes they would need support from supervisors or other departments.
Customer service clerks and customer service representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Customer Service Clerk | Customer Service Representative | |
| Average salary | $33,566 | $32,260 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $25,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Des Moines, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | United States Courts | Oracle |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a customer service clerk and a customer service representative in terms of educational background:
| Customer Service Clerk | Customer Service Representative | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between customer service clerks' and customer service representatives' demographics:
| Customer Service Clerk | Customer Service Representative | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% | Male, 30.5% Female, 69.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 6.3% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |