Contrary to popular opinion, you can make good money in customer service, and companies tend to promote from within. Here are 15 of the highest-paying jobs in consumer services.
The U.S. consumer service industry is worth hundreds of billions of dollars and includes more than 450,000 single-location and multi-location establishments. Despite declining overall employment numbers in the field, there are close to 400,000 job openings annually for customer service representatives, according to the Bureau Of Labor Statistics – a testament to how critical the industry is to the U.S. economy.
Despite declining overall employment numbers in the field, there are close to 400,000 job openings annually for customer service representatives.
While consumer services jobs have never been considered as lucrative as, say, jobs in finance, the highest-paying careers offer attractive salaries and other benefits.
Whether you’re looking for an entry-level position or a senior role, here’s a list of the highest-paying jobs in the consumer services sector today. I’ll explain what each job entails and how much money you can make.
What Is Consumer Services?
Consumer services are services that are provided to individuals rather than businesses. Many jobs in the consumer services sector are customer-facing, such as hairdressers, bank tellers, or flight attendants.
What Do Consumer Services Jobs Pay?
You can make good money in consumer services if you’re willing to work hard. Often, the highest-paying jobs are management positions, which can bring home between $50,000 – $185,000 yearly, depending on the role. Sales and IT positions within the consumer services field also pay very well.
Many companies in the consumer services sector promote from within, providing an excellent opportunity for career advancement and salary growth. With this in mind, here is my list of the highest-paying jobs in consumer services.
15 Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Services
While the average salary of a consumer services representative is $36,920 per year – according to the US News & World Report – many positions in the industry pay significantly more. Here are some of the highest-paying consumer service industry jobs:
1. Customer Care Director
- Salary: $142,899 – $185,115
- Education: Proven experience in customer service or management, along with a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, is highly desired.
- Top skills: leadership, communication, problem-solving
Customer care directors must possess strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. They are often required to deal with customer complaints and problems and need to remain calm under pressure and find solutions that satisfy everyone involved.
With customer call volumes growing by 61% in 2022, it’s more important than ever to keep tabs on your employees by setting goals, tracking progress, and providing training to new hires.
2. Flight Attendant
- Salary: $61,640/year
- Education: High school diploma or certifications from the FAA
- Top skills: Safety and customer service
Buckle up and prepare for takeoff with one of the most exciting careers in consumer services: flight attendant. As a flight attendant, you’ll be responsible for ensuring the comfort and safety of airline passengers during their journey. But this job isn’t just about serving drinks and snacks – it’s about providing exceptional customer service while maintaining order in a high-pressure environment.
Some of the critical duties of a flight attendant include the following:
- Conducting safety demonstrations and pre-flight checks to ensure that all equipment is working properly
- Assisting passengers with special needs, such as elderly or disabled individuals
- Responding to passenger requests and providing information on flight details, such as arrival times and connecting flights
- Maintaining cleanliness on the plane by collecting trash and restocking supplies
3. Sales Manager
- Salary: $61,090 – $173,000
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing or business management
- Top skills: Leadership, communication, organizational
Sales Managers are among the highest-paid professionals in consumer services, and the job outlook for the role is expected to grow by 5% from 2021-2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Sales managers oversee and manage sales teams in various industries, ensuring they meet their targets while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
In addition to sales skills, a successful sales manager must have strong managerial skills. These include setting prices, creating product descriptions, and motivating employees. You must also be able to analyze data and market trends to make informed decisions that drive revenue growth.
4. Patient Care Coordinator
- Salary: $83,180 – $102,910
- Education: Degree in social work, sociology, or counseling.
- Top skills: Empathy, communication, administrative
Patient care coordinators play a crucial role in the healthcare industry, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care throughout their treatment journey.
Patient care coordinators are responsible for assessing and planning their patient’s health needs, from scheduling appointments to coordinating with doctors and other healthcare professionals.
One of the perks of being a patient care coordinator is that you get to work closely with patients on a daily basis. You will be their primary point of contact and will have the opportunity to build strong relationships with them as you help them navigate through their medical needs.
5. Technical Support Representative
- Salary: $57,910/year
- Education: High school diploma.
- Top skills: Tech problem solving, communication, troubleshooting
Technical Support Representatives are an integral part of the customer service team, providing technical assistance to consumers in need. These professionals possess excellent communication skills and are able to understand and address a wide range of technical issues effectively.
Technical Support representatives must be able to assess customers’ technical troubles and provide them with the expert guidance they need. They are responsible for interviewing customers about their tech support inquiries and providing solutions as necessary.
To excel, you should possess strong problem-solving abilities and a deep understanding of the technical systems that your company supports. You should also have exceptional listening skills and be able to communicate complex technical information clearly and concisely.
6. Call Center Manager
- Salary: $78,800 – $104,500
- Education: Degree in communications or business management
- Top Skills: Leadership, problem-solving, multitasking
As a Call Center Manager, you will be responsible for leading a team of customer service representatives toward achieving the company’s goals. Your primary responsibility will be to hire and train individuals who possess excellent communication skills and can handle customer inquiries with patience and professionalism.
To succeed in this role, you must possess excellent motivational skills to keep your team focused and on track. And you’ll need to develop strategies that encourage your team to meet their targets while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.
7. Customer Service Representative
- Salary: $36,920/year
- Education: High school diploma
- Top Skills: Communication, empathy, customer service
Customer service representatives are often the first point of contact for the companies they work for, providing essential support services to customers. They are responsible for answering questions and inquiries, accepting payments, processing returns/exchanges, and handling complaints. This role is critical in ensuring customer satisfaction and building brand loyalty.
To be successful as a customer service representative, strong communication skills are a must. You need to be able to listen actively, speak clearly, and convey information effectively.
8. Community Service Manager
- Salary: $46,550 – $118,650
- Education: Degree in social work, business administration, or public health
- Top Skills: Leadership, communication, public relations
Community service managers are responsible for developing and managing programs that improve the quality of life in a community. They work closely with local organizations, businesses, and government agencies to identify areas where services are lacking and develop solutions that meet the needs of residents.
Community Services managers use their leadership capabilities and creativity to build strong relationships with the members of the local community. By tackling issues such as poverty, education, healthcare, or social justice directly, they strive to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
If you’re passionate about helping the less fortunate in your community and have excellent communication and organizational skills, this could be the perfect career path for you.
9. Receptionist
- Salary: $29,950/year
- Education: High school diploma.
- Top Skills: Communication, customer service, multitasking
Receptionists are the first point of contact for any organization and play a critical role in ensuring customer satisfaction. In addition to answering phone calls, responding to emails, and welcoming visitors, receptionists perform many other office-related duties.
Receptionist salaries are competitive compared to other customer service positions, especially in specific industries like medicine and law.
10. Front Desk Clerk
- Salary: $37,450/year
- Education: High school diploma
- Top Skills: Communication, customer service, problem-solving
Front desk clerks are an essential part of the hospitality industry, working in hotels, resorts, and lodges. They greet customers, perform clerical duties like answering phones and collecting information, and manage complaints. Their primary responsibility is to ensure guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
In addition to greeting customers and managing complaints, front desk clerks perform check-in and check-out duties. They collect information from guests, such as payment details and room preferences. They also answer questions about hotel amenities, local attractions, and transportation options.
11. Restaurant Manager
- Salary: $36,630 – $98,070
- Education: High school degree in business, hospitality management, or culinary
- Top Skills: Leadership, problem-solving, customer service
Restaurant managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a restaurant, overseeing all facets of business, from staffing and customer service to financial management, marketing, and more.
One of the primary responsibilities of a restaurant manager is to manage employees. This includes hiring, training, and scheduling staff members. Managers must also ensure employees follow proper food safety protocols and maintain a clean work environment.
12. Bank Teller
- Salary: $36,310/year
- Education: High school diploma
- Top Skills: Communication, customer service, cash handling
Bank tellers are the face of a bank and are responsible for providing excellent customer service. They handle transactions and provide advice to customers about their accounts, help process loan applications, and transfer funds. Bank tellers must stay up-to-date with financial laws and regulations and be able to answer customer questions about banking products and services.
To be successful as a bank teller, you must have strong customer service skills and be able to solve problems quickly. You must also possess solid math and cash-handling skills and be able to multitask.
13. Online Chat Support
- Salary: $36,920/year
- Education: High school diploma
- Top Skills: Communication, customer service, problem-solving.
Online chat support is a growing field that provides customers with the convenience of getting answers to their questions quickly without having to wait on the phone or travel to a physical location. Online chat support specialists answer customer inquiries via text-based chat, helping customers troubleshoot technical issues, answer questions about products and services, and provide general information.
You need to have excellent problem-solving and communication skills in order to accurately and promptly answer customer inquiries and provide appropriate resolutions.
14. Event Planner
- Salary: $49,470/year
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or event planning
- Top Skills: Organization, time management, communication
Event planners coordinate and manage all aspects of an event, from the initial coordination to the final wrap-up. They are responsible for booking venues and vendors, managing budgets, overseeing logistics, and more. Event planners must have strong organizational and time management skills, as they must be able to juggle multiple tasks at once.
There’s also budgeting. Event planners must be able to stick to a budget while still making sure all aspects of the event are taken care of. They must also possess excellent communication skills, for negotiating with vendors and other staff.
15. Retail Store Manager
- Salary: $46,890/year
- Education: High school diploma
- Top Skills: Leadership, customer service, problem-solving
Retail store managers must possess strong leadership skills. The role offers an exciting opportunity to interact with customers and mentor employees in various settings, ranging from fashion retailers to toy stores. If you are passionate about customer service and leading teams, consider becoming a retail store manager.
Consumer Services Education Requirements
While some customer service jobs require further education, such as a bachelor’s degree or specialized training, you can often get hired with a high school diploma.
As mentioned, many consumer services businesses promote from within and allow you to attain various industry accreditations while on the job. Banks are a good example. Many employees start as bank tellers before being promoted to high-paying bank jobs in sales or management.
Overall, the education requirements for these jobs will vary depending on the company or sector you are looking to work in. Make sure you research the specific requirements for each job before applying.
Remote Customer Service Jobs
These days, more and more customer service roles are moving online and can be done remotely. As a result, companies are hiring for remote customer service jobs where you can work from home. Some companies will even hire teens as online customer service reps.
The following video examines three websites where you can find a remote customer service job. And if working as a customer service rep isn’t for you, there are plenty of other ways to make money online from home.
Is Consumer Services a Good Career Path?
Oftentimes when we think of customer service, the first thought that comes to mind is sales, retail, or hospitality. While some roles may have a negative stigma associated with them, they offer an opportunity to get your foot in the door and work your way up. And you’ll gain invaluable skills along the way.
At the end of the day, if you have a passion for helping others and delivering results with a customer-focused attitude, then consumer service is the career path for you. With a bit of persistence and a lot of hard work, you can be successful in any field – customer service included.
FAQs
The list of companies in the consumer services field is seemingly endless. Depending on your skills and interests, you could look into roles such as customer service representatives, account managers, bank tellers, event planners, retail store managers, and more. Some of the larger companies offering consumer services include Amazon, Pfizer, Walmart, Bank of America, McDonald’s, JPMorgan Chase, Marriott International, and Apple.
As of 2023, the typical salary for a Customer Service Executive in the United States is between $203,763 and $270,525 annually – with an average of $235,950.
In 2021, a customer service representative’s median hourly wage was $17.75, while the average sales manager earned an impressive median salary of $127,490 – proving that salaries in this sector can vary vastly depending on industry and position.
