How much does a customer service representative make?
The median customer service representative in the United States earns $44,770 per year, about $21.53 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all customer service representatives earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-4051.
Customer service representative salary range
Pay for customer service representatives spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,750 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $63,590. The average (mean) wage of $46,590 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,750 | $15.27 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,870 | $17.72 | |
| Median (50th) | $44,770 | $21.53 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $51,780 | $24.89 | |
| 90th percentile | $63,590 | $30.57 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for customer service representatives (SOC 43-4051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Customer service representative salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Customer service representatives earn the most in Washington at $50,330 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $36,380. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $50,330 | 39,760 |
| California | $49,560 | 176,850 |
| Massachusetts | $49,120 | 49,990 |
| Minnesota | $48,800 | 53,340 |
| District of Columbia | $48,250 | 7,550 |
| Delaware | $48,190 | 7,470 |
| Connecticut | $48,090 | 24,490 |
| New York | $48,000 | 141,090 |
| New Jersey | $47,740 | 59,690 |
| Rhode Island | $47,550 | 7,890 |
| Colorado | $47,540 | 38,770 |
| Vermont | $47,500 | 2,870 |
| Oregon | $47,450 | 19,440 |
| New Hampshire | $47,300 | 12,750 |
| Maine | $47,160 | 7,560 |
| Wisconsin | $46,970 | 50,840 |
| Illinois | $46,130 | 100,970 |
| Iowa | $46,090 | 30,100 |
| Arizona | $45,690 | 87,020 |
| Hawaii | $45,650 | 8,010 |
| Ohio | $45,610 | 85,930 |
| Montana | $45,290 | 4,910 |
| Alaska | $45,150 | 2,410 |
| North Dakota | $44,670 | 5,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,630 | 94,340 |
| Missouri | $44,190 | 50,530 |
| Michigan | $43,950 | 71,310 |
| Nebraska | $43,940 | 15,340 |
| Idaho | $43,200 | 18,770 |
| Indiana | $43,140 | 44,630 |
| Utah | $43,140 | 44,490 |
| Maryland | $42,830 | 37,740 |
| Tennessee | $42,830 | 59,730 |
| Virginia | $42,730 | 59,850 |
| Wyoming | $42,340 | 2,110 |
| South Dakota | $40,650 | 6,120 |
| Nevada | $40,560 | 32,110 |
| Florida | $40,440 | 228,000 |
| Texas | $40,420 | 337,170 |
| Kansas | $40,320 | 29,200 |
| North Carolina | $40,240 | 89,510 |
| Georgia | $39,630 | 97,850 |
| New Mexico | $39,030 | 16,950 |
| South Carolina | $38,860 | 51,000 |
| Kentucky | $38,700 | 38,630 |
| Oklahoma | $38,650 | 34,460 |
| West Virginia | $38,430 | 9,860 |
| Alabama | $38,400 | 33,290 |
| Arkansas | $37,840 | 20,680 |
| Louisiana | $37,330 | 25,780 |
| Mississippi | $36,380 | 20,860 |
State median wages for customer service representatives (SOC 43-4051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for customer service representatives
The BLS projects employment of customer service representatives to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 2,666,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 2,524,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 289,500 openings a year for customer service representatives. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a customer service representative
The typical entry-level education for customer service representatives is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a customer service representative earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $50,330) and the lowest (Mississippi, $36,380) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 2,595,750 people work as customer service representatives in the United States. At $44,770 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Customer service representative salary FAQ
How much does a customer service representative make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a customer service representative is $21.53. The middle half of customer service representatives earn between $17.72 and $24.89 per hour.
What is the highest customer service representative salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of customer service representatives earn more than $63,590 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a customer service representative make a year?
The median annual salary for a customer service representative is $44,770. The average (mean) wage of $46,590 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a customer service representative a well paid job?
At $44,770 a year, a customer service representative earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 2,595,750 people work as customer service representatives in the United States.
Which state pays customer service representatives the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for customer service representatives at $50,330 a year. California ($49,560) and Massachusetts ($49,120) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a customer service representative a good career?
Employment of customer service representatives is projected to shrink 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 289,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a customer service representative?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for customer service representatives as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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