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Job outlook for customer specialists in the United States
Customer specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected customer specialist job growth rate is -4% from 2018-2028.
About -105,300 new jobs for customer specialists are projected over the next decade.
Customer specialist salaries have increased 11% for customer specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 816,979 customer specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 202,965 active customer specialist job openings in the US.
The average customer specialist salary is $38,371.
Are customer specialist jobs in demand?
Customer specialist job and salary trends over time
Customer specialist jobs over time
Customer specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 816,979 | 0.24% |
| 2020 | 830,516 | 0.25% |
| 2019 | 855,719 | 0.26% |
| 2018 | 841,699 | 0.25% |
| 2017 | 811,328 | 0.25% |
Average customer specialist salary over time
Customer specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $38,371 | $18.45 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $37,172 | $17.87 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $36,144 | $17.38 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $35,223 | $16.93 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $34,591 | $16.63 | +1.8% |
Customer specialist jobs by state
Most common states for customer specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 359 | 52% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 644 | 48% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 423 | 44% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,290 | 41% |
| 5 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 1,790 | 40% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,681 | 39% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 2,622 | 39% |
| 8 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,242 | 39% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 244 | 39% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 511 | 38% |
| 11 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 2,556 | 36% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 4,501 | 35% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,965 | 34% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 577 | 34% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 664 | 32% |
| 16 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 6,462 | 31% |
| 17 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 3,189 | 31% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 968 | 31% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,088 | 30% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 320 | 30% |
Most common cities for customer specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | 14 | 3% | $38,818 |
| 2 | Tucson | 14 | 3% | $39,972 |
| 3 | Hartford | 4 | 3% | $47,355 |
| 4 | Springfield | 4 | 3% | $38,027 |
| 5 | Baton Rouge | 4 | 2% | $36,611 |
| 6 | Montgomery | 4 | 2% | $37,575 |
| 7 | Tallahassee | 4 | 2% | $38,649 |
| 8 | Phoenix | 13 | 1% | $40,063 |
| 9 | Boston | 8 | 1% | $58,036 |
| 10 | Indianapolis | 6 | 1% | $38,881 |
| 11 | Minneapolis | 5 | 1% | $33,181 |
| 12 | Denver | 4 | 1% | $38,529 |
| 13 | Sacramento | 4 | 1% | $49,197 |
| 14 | New York | 14 | 0% | $60,109 |
| 15 | Chicago | 8 | 0% | $37,734 |
| 16 | San Antonio | 5 | 0% | $43,120 |
| 17 | Dallas | 4 | 0% | $41,145 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 4 | 0% | $51,842 |
Customer Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of customer specialist experts
Charleston Southern University
University of Houston
Paul Smith's College of Arts & Sciences
SUNY Plattsburgh
Missouri State University
Florida International University
University of New Orleans
Temple University
What general advice would you give to a Customer 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Specialists possess?
Barbara Stewart: a. Interpersonal skills
b. Time management
c. Organizational understanding/climate development
What hard/technical skills are most important for Customer 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 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.
Joe Conto
Associate ProfessorPaul Smith's College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Business & Hospitality
What skills stand out on Customer Specialist resumes?
Joe Conto: The skills that stand out on a resume remain the same as they did prior to the pandemic; critical thinking, problem-solving, active listening, and working independently. However, simply "listing" these under the Skills section of a resume is not enough. A good hiring agent or human resources professional is going to look for supporting information for these claims in the experience, interests, and activities sections of the same resume. Therefore, a claim of skill only stands out if it is supported elsewhere in the resume.
What soft skills should all Customer Specialists possess?
Joe Conto: Critical thinking, empathy, and problem-solving are the three most important soft skills an employee can possess. In developing these skills, many other soft skills are automatically embedded; active listening, emotional intelligence, and collaboration, for instance, are all aspects of the umbrella of "soft skills." Having employees who possess other soft skills associated with strong customer service (friendliness, positive thinking, and language skills, for instance) are not effective if these larger overall skills are not present.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Customer Specialists?
Joe Conto: As a hiring manager in high-end hotels and country clubs, I paid little attention to most technical skills. If an applicant possesses the soft skills outlined above, I was typically certain that training could provide the necessary technical skills. Therefore, I always advise students to "work on purpose" during internships and other work experiences in order to not only learn hard skills but also develop the soft skills listed above.
Dr. Marty Frost
Professor and ChairSUNY Plattsburgh
Human Development and Family Relations
What soft skills should all Customer 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 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 soft skills should all Customer Specialists possess?
Dr. Stephanie Hein: Now, more than ever, graduates need to possess strong communication skills, adaptability, creative thinking, and the ability to work collaboratively with others in both a face-to-face and digital environment.
Lourdes Torres
Assistant Director, Employer RelationsFlorida International University
Career Development Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Customer Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Lourdes Torres: Currently, a number of partners/employers are expressing a need for students with the skillsets and availability to work remotely. The permanent rise in remote work is an increasing trend I see not only for now, but for the foreseeable future. In addition, there will also be an increased wave of requests for students who are open to experimentation and innovation regarding flexible/hybrid work roles.
Markus Schuckert
Professor and DirectorUniversity of New Orleans
Lester E. Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration
How do you envision technology impacting Customer Specialists in the next 5 years?
Markus Schuckert: Technology will help the industry to maintain a business in a different environment. Under Covid19, the old formula of "high tech - high touch" in hospitality does not work anymore without rethinking it. The new paradigm is high tech - low touch approach to maintain high service and delivery standards but minimizing contact where possible. This is, at least for the time being. Trends to come can be seen by the restaurant of tomorrow's approach of Burger King, for example. High tech - high touch will return or remain with a premium, based on low volume and increased safety and hygiene protocols. Technology will support that in terms of communication, tracking, and big data. Especially business optimizing software, and visitor/customer management systems will be needed to run businesses differently. On the revenue management side, new revenue and pricing models need to be developed to stay in business successfully. This closes the loop to question 1: new graduates come with the latest technological knowledge and the power of ideas of the young (next) generation.
Lindsey Lee Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorTemple University
Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management
How do you envision technology impacting Customer Specialists in the next 5 years?
Lindsey Lee Ph.D.: Although there was a major shift to technology during the pandemic, the hospitality and tourism industry is still a human interaction and human touch industry. The tangible products between competitors are essentially the same-a bed for hotels, a meal for restaurants, a flight for airlines-but the intangible, customer-service product of the industry is what differentiates one organization from its competitor. I believe that while customer service may look different in a post-COVID world, there is still going to be a need for human interactions and the human aspects of the hospitality and tourism industry that technology might not provide.