8 Customer Service Jobs to Explore

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Discover different customer service jobs by experience level and the average salaries for each.

[Featured image] A customer service agent is sitting at their office.

Customer service professionals are often the bridge between a company and its customers. By providing resolutions, answers, information, and helpful communication, they are vital in offering good customer service, which in turn can improve customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. 

Learn more about the different jobs you can explore if you're interested in working in customer service. Afterward, begin building your knowledge with the CVS Health Call Center Professional Certificate, where you'll learn how to find solutions to common customer problems and de-escalate conflict.

Customer service jobs overview

If you pursue a customer service career, you'll be the liaison—or the manager of liaisons—between the company and the customers who purchase products or services. As such, your job will typically require reflecting the business's values and culture. 

Customer service jobs span experience levels, with entry-level, mid-career, and senior-level roles available to explore. This career path tends to suit people who are empathetic, active listeners, resilient, and who enjoy solving problems.

Customer service job outlook 

Customer service jobs are available in nearly every industry, with the largest employers being retail trade, insurance carriers, and business support services, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1]. The BLS also reports close to three million people employed as customer service representatives, though this specific role may experience interruption as companies rely on Gen AI to provide customer service [2].

8 customer service jobs

We've outlined some customer service job titles you can explore by experience level. In this profession, it's also possible to find remote opportunities, especially if you primarily work with customers on the phone or via chat.

*All salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of August 2025.

Entry-level customer service jobs

You can often get started in an entry-level customer service job with a high school diploma or associate degree, and little to no experience.

1. Customer service representative

Customer service representatives handle customer inquiries, complaints, and requests via phone, email, or chat to ensure customer satisfaction and resolve issues.

Average annual US salary: $47,082

2. Retail sales associate

Retail sales associates assist customers in-store with product selection, answer questions, process transactions, and maintain store appearance.

Average annual US salary: $39,285

3. Call center agent

Call center jobs, such as call center agent or call center specialist, manage incoming and outgoing calls in a high-volume environment, providing information, support, or sales assistance to customers.

Average annual US salary: $50,500

Associate-level customer service jobs

At the associate level, it's common to have around two or three years of experience.

4. Customer service team lead

Leads supervise a team of customer service representatives, providing guidance, training, and ensuring team performance meets company standards.

Average annual US salary: $60,521

5. Technical support specialist

Tech support specialists, or IT support specialists, offer advanced technical assistance to customers, troubleshooting complex issues related to products or services. In this role, you'll need to develop your technical knowledge of a company's products in order to assist customers.

Average annual US salary: $72,621

6. Client relations coordinator

Working in client relations means managing ongoing relationships with key clients, addressing their needs, and ensuring their continued satisfaction with the company's products or services.

Average annual US salary: $56,904

Senior-level customer service jobs

As you advance to more senior-level customer service titles, you will likely need at least five years of experience, though director or vice president roles will typically require even more experience [3]. At this stage, companies may also require a bachelor's degree.

7. Customer experience manager

A manager role in customer service requires strong strategic thinking and leadership skills. In this role, you'll develop and implement strategies to enhance overall customer experience across all touchpoints of the customer journey.

Average annual US salary: $109,234

8. Director of customer support

Advancing to become a director will mean overseeing the entire customer support department at a company, including setting policies, managing budgets, and ensuring the department meets organizational goals.

Average annual US salary: $202,092

Did you know?

In the US, 54 percent of customers prefer to resolve customer service issues over the phone, according to Statista [1]. Another 38 percent would rather use digital channels, such as social media and website chats, while only 8 percent opt for email.

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Article sources

1

U S Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Customer Service Representatives - Work Environment, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/customer-service-representatives.htm#tab-3." Accessed August 25, 2025.

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