Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for customer service specialists in the United States
Customer service specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected customer service specialist job growth rate is -4% from 2018-2028.
About -105,300 new jobs for customer service specialists are projected over the next decade.
Customer service specialist salaries have increased 11% for customer service specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 1,201,030 customer service specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 223,323 active customer service specialist job openings in the US.
The average customer service specialist salary is $33,238.
Are customer service specialist jobs in demand?
Customer service specialist job and salary trends over time
Customer service specialist jobs over time
Customer service specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,201,030 | 0.36% |
| 2020 | 1,220,930 | 0.36% |
| 2019 | 1,257,981 | 0.38% |
| 2018 | 1,237,370 | 0.37% |
| 2017 | 1,192,722 | 0.36% |
Average customer service specialist salary over time
Customer service specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $33,238 | $15.98 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $32,199 | $15.48 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $31,309 | $15.05 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $30,511 | $14.67 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $29,963 | $14.41 | +1.8% |
Customer service specialist jobs by state
Most common states for customer service specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 922 | 69% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 2,074 | 66% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 668 | 64% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 789 | 59% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 3,188 | 57% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 535 | 56% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 1,043 | 54% |
| 8 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 1,470 | 50% |
| 9 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 3,270 | 49% |
| 10 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 2,166 | 49% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 301 | 48% |
| 12 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 980 | 47% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 3,188 | 46% |
| 14 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 2,832 | 46% |
| 15 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 785 | 46% |
| 16 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 5,697 | 45% |
| 17 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 305 | 44% |
| 18 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 4,400 | 43% |
| 19 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 3,051 | 43% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 248 | 43% |
Most common cities for customer service specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpharetta | 6 | 9% | $29,560 |
| 2 | Scottsdale | 13 | 5% | $32,514 |
| 3 | Tempe | 8 | 4% | $32,543 |
| 4 | Miami | 12 | 3% | $30,296 |
| 5 | Orlando | 8 | 3% | $29,884 |
| 6 | Des Moines | 7 | 3% | $31,260 |
| 7 | Denver | 13 | 2% | $31,979 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 9 | 2% | $29,510 |
| 9 | Wichita | 9 | 2% | $30,951 |
| 10 | Tampa | 7 | 2% | $29,929 |
| 11 | Phoenix | 16 | 1% | $32,581 |
| 12 | Boston | 10 | 1% | $39,336 |
| 13 | Dallas | 10 | 1% | $29,494 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | 10 | 1% | $29,763 |
| 15 | Indianapolis | 9 | 1% | $31,619 |
| 16 | Columbus | 8 | 1% | $30,952 |
| 17 | Portland | 8 | 1% | $34,707 |
| 18 | San Antonio | 8 | 1% | $30,483 |
| 19 | Houston | 8 | 0% | $30,003 |
| 20 | New York | 8 | 0% | $36,549 |
Customer Service Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of customer service specialist experts
Charleston Southern University
University of Houston
SUNY Plattsburgh
What general advice would you give to a Customer Service Specialist?
Mamie Hertel II: Gain diverse experiences to distinguish yourself, such as obtaining a commercial pesticide applicator’s license, pursuing a minor in business or acquiring certificates in relevant fields (e.g., Landscape, V&E;), ideally supplementing with proficiency in Spanish. Foster connections and exude confidence in interviews without overemphasis. Articulate convincingly why you are the ideal candidate. Embrace collaborative work, honing excellent communication skills and a passion for teaching, even in research roles. Anticipate your professional trajectory, recognizing the growing demand for adept managers in controlled environment horticulture. Extend your skill set beyond academia through online courses and workshops, preparing for potential relocations to regions where your expertise is valued. Pursue specialization through certifications or advanced degrees, while actively building a robust professional network.
What Customer Service Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mamie Hertel II: Gain proficiency in technology and adeptness in data management, acknowledging the inevitability of change and embracing it. Master technology applications spanning genetic engineering, biotechnology, remote sensing, automation, AI and climate-conscious production methods.
What will help Customer Service Specialists increase their earning potential?
Mamie Hertel II: Consistently show up on time and take initiative, striving to exceed expectations. Embrace opportunities to expand your skill set with emerging technologies and bring fresh ideas to the table. Foster positive relationships with your team, demonstrating grace and respect to all, regardless of position. Clarify your long-term objectives and understand the purpose behind your endeavors, including your aspirations three years post-MS. Though compensation may be modest during your graduate studies, rewards will come later. Seek practical experience and professional connections through internships or entry-level roles.
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 Service 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 Service 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 Service 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
Barbara Stewart
Chair & Professor Human Development & Consumer SciencesUniversity of Houston
College of Technology
What skills stand out on Customer Service Specialist resumes?
Barbara Stewart: a. Work experience via full-time, part-time, or internship is highly recommended
b. Candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of consumer behavior and customer service concepts
c. Interpersonal skills are imperative.
d. A thorough foundation in consumer behavior models and practices is needed.
What soft skills should all Customer Service Specialists possess?
Barbara Stewart: a. Interpersonal skills
b. Time management
c. Organizational understanding/climate development
What hard/technical skills are most important for Customer Service Specialists?
Barbara Stewart: a. Foundational business skills
b. Consumer behavior models, roles, and applications
c. Educational principles
d. Consumer advocacy
e. Communications skills
f. Analytical competencies
What skills will help Customer Service Specialists earn the most?
Barbara Stewart: a. Solid work ethic
b. Interpersonal skills
c. Content understanding in the field
d. Organizational skills
e. Experience/applications in the field.
Dr. Marty Frost
Professor and ChairSUNY Plattsburgh
Human Development and Family Relations
What soft skills should all Customer Service Specialists possess?
Dr. Marty Frost: An engaging personality, coupled with a "can-do" attitude, creates a very positive first impression in any new professional. Confidence in one's ability, as well as the competence to complete the work successfully and on time, are important. Demonstrating reliability, dependability, punctuality, along with working cooperatively with one's colleagues, are also not to be underestimated.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Customer Service Specialists?
Dr. Marty Frost: Being current in one's content area within the profession is the baseline "must-have," coupled with the professional competence to exceed others' expectations are important starting points. Because the FCS profession encompasses many different areas of expertise, gaining in-depth training in several areas will increase one's marketability.
What skills stand out on Customer Service Specialist resumes?
Dr. Marty Frost: An academic background that includes a broad, generalist knowledge base and skill set provides a strong professional foundation in the FCS field. In addition to a comprehensive FCS academic background, demonstrating one's ability in a variety of professional capacities will highlight one's professional strengths. Previous experience teaching or working with young people in either a school setting, human services agency, or a program setting demonstrates one's flexibility in their career. Likewise, working with adults, either in a teaching capacity or in a specific community FCS program area, shows variety in one's career trajectory. To expand one's career opportunities, participating in a post-baccalaureate FCS-focused professional internship could also provide a competitive edge in the job market.
What skills will help Customer Service Specialists earn the most?
Dr. Marty Frost: For those interested in pursuing an academic career in FCS, a graduate degree is a must. Teaching in the public schools in New York State requires a minimum of a Master's degree for first-year professionals. FCS professionals striving to teach at the college or university level most likely will be nearing completion of a doctoral program, if not already degree in hand. Of course, the longer one serves in an academic career, the greater the earning potential. Working collegially as a valuable member of a professional team underscores the value of an FCS specialist. Having expertise in two or more FCS areas of study increases one's marketability, and therefore, one's value in the field. For example, having a background as a consumer economist strengthens one's competitive edge and earning capacity in the business world.