Customer support associate vs customer care associate

The differences between customer support associates and customer care associates 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 support associate and a customer care associate. Additionally, a customer support associate has an average salary of $34,878, which is higher than the $33,115 average annual salary of a customer care associate.

The top three skills for a customer support associate include data entry, strong customer service and customer satisfaction. The most important skills for a customer care associate are customer care, patients, and customer service.

Customer support associate vs customer care associate overview

	Customer Support Associate	Customer Care Associate
Yearly salary	$34,878	$33,115
Hourly rate	$16.77	$15.92
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	242,521	250,296
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	12	12

What does a customer support associate do?

A customer support associate's responsibilities revolve around assisting walk-in customers by answering inquiries, offering recommendations, issuing refunds, addressing complaints, and resolving it promptly and professionally. They may also provide support to clients through calls and correspondence, offering them products or services when necessary. There are also instances when they must perform follow-up calls, troubleshoot problems, and arrange appointments. Furthermore, as a customer support associate, it is essential to interact with clients in a friendly and efficient manner, ensuring customer satisfaction and quality service.

What does a customer care associate do?

A customer care associate's role focuses on providing customer support and service, ensuring optimal services and client satisfaction. Their responsibilities typically revolve around assisting walk-in customers by answering inquiries, offering recommendations or alternatives, and informing them of any promos or discounts. It is essential to devise strategies to identify customer needs, providing them as needed. Furthermore, a customer care associate may answer inquiries made through calls or correspondence, make reservations, handle complaints or concerns, and resolve them according to the company's policies and regulations.

Customer support associate vs customer care associate salary

Customer support associates and customer care associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Customer Support Associate	Customer Care Associate
Average salary	$34,878	$33,115
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $48,000	Between $24,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Diego, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Adobe	Centennial Bank
Best paying industry	Technology	Insurance

Differences between customer support associate and customer care associate education

There are a few differences between a customer support associate and a customer care associate in terms of educational background:

	Customer Support Associate	Customer Care Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Customer support associate vs customer care associate demographics

Here are the differences between customer support associates' and customer care associates' demographics:

	Customer Support Associate	Customer Care Associate
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%	Male, 30.1% Female, 69.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 7.4% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between customer support associate and customer care associate duties and responsibilities

Customer support associate example responsibilities.

Manage the use of DHL or FEDEX.
Achieve quarterly A/R objectives on a regular basis.
Negotiate freight rates and manage relationships with freight forwarders and shipping companies.
Organize company events and manage payroll.
Manage high volume weekly consultant payroll using PeopleSoft.
Create and track opportunities monitor using Microsoft CRM.

Customer care associate example responsibilities.

Continue to manage a high volume of customer calls relate to HMO, PPO and POS concerns.
Verify HIPAA member information, update members account, expedite payments, explain health and dental plan benefits options.
Answer inbound calls assisting customers with billing questions, troubleshoot for customers, and assist customers with service plans and upgrading packages
Receive inbound provider calls at a call center regarding patients medical insurance benefits and eligibility, edit and process Medicare claims.
Provide superior customer service to inbound calls from DirecTV customers regarding their schedule service/install appointment.

Customer support associate vs customer care associate skills

Common customer support associate skills

Data Entry, 10%
Strong Customer Service, 6%
Customer Satisfaction, 5%
CSA, 5%
Inbound Calls, 4%
Health Insurance, 4%

Common customer care associate skills

Customer Care, 21%
Patients, 16%
Customer Service, 7%
Telephone Inquiries, 6%
Customer Support, 5%
Home Health, 3%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Customer Support Associate
Customer Support Associate vs Customer Care Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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