5 top customer service jobs for 2018

Are you looking for your next great job opportunity? If so, then you may want to consider a position in customer service. It’s a growing field with lots of opportunities in a variety of industries and settings, and the great news is that as a customer service professional you’ll build key transferable skills that you can use across the industry and even in other professions if you ever decide to make a major career change in the future. Need more reasons to consider pursuing a customer service job? According to the most recent Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for customer service representatives span nearly every industry imaginable and are projected to grow approximately 5% over the next decade. There are positions available in a variety of settings, including telephone call centers, offices, and retail stores, and both full-time and flexible part-time positions are possible. In addition, on-the-job training is often provided for individuals interested in pursuing employment in the field. The following are five of the most promising customer service jobs, based on available opportunities and forecasts for projected growth over the next several years.

1. Computer support specialist

Are you a whiz with computers and enjoy helping people? If so, then consider a position as a computer support specialist. These customer service professionals provide guidance and assistance to individual computer users, companies, and organizations. They help troubleshoot problems, support computer networks, and provide technical assistance as needed. Although the majority of computer support specialists work in full-time positions, there are a variety of different opportunities and arrangements available, including part-time work, contract work, and overnight work. Most professionals in the field have extensive computer experience and a college degree. The typical salary range for computer support specialists is between $49,000 and $63,000, depending on your location, industry, and experience level. Good news—the field is expected to grow approximately 10% over the next decade, and since individuals and companies routinely upgrade their computer equipment and software, you can count on there always being a need for qualified individuals.

2. Financial clerk

Do you have an interest in working in finance? Although financial clerks typically hold support roles in the industry, if you have a capacity for numbers and an interest in the world of finance, then perhaps a position as a financial clerk is a good idea for you. Financial clerks are typically responsible for handling the administrative responsibilities of the organizations that employ them, including recordkeeping, customer assistance, and basic financial transactions. Most financial clerks are employed in full-time, 9-to-5 positions and are found in bank branches, government agencies, and medical offices, as well as a variety of other industries. Educational levels for financial clerks can vary depending on the field and responsibilities of the role. The average salary for a financial clerk is approximately $38,000 and can vary depending on location, industry, and experience level. Over the next decade, the employment outlook for financial clerks looks promising, with growth around 9% expected over the next decade.

3. Information clerk

In many ways information clerks serve as the backbones of the companies that they work for, providing vital services such as record-keeping and maintenance, data collection, customer assistance, and more. Nearly every industry employs information clerks to help them operate efficiently, so if you choose to pursue a job in this field you’ll likely encounter a wealth of opportunities. Most information clerks are employed in full-time positions; education levels required to enter the field can vary depending on the responsibilities of any given role. The average salary range for an information clerk is approximately $32,000 and can vary depending on location, industry, and experience level. Over the next decade, the employment outlook for financial clerks is expected to grow around 3% over the next decade.

4. Insurance sales agent

Do you have an interest in working in the insurance industry? If so, then pursuing a position as an insurance sales agent might be a good goal for you. Agents often work on the front lines and serve as the crucial primary point of contact with customers who are interested in obtaining various types of insurance products. In addition to explaining the options available to them, agents answer questions and provide guidance during the entire process—which hopefully ends in customers obtaining the right insurance plans to meet their needs. Insurance agents typically work full-time positions in office settings and travel as needed to meet with clients. Typically, a high school diploma or some level of college is required to enter the field. The average annual salary for an insurance agent is right around $50,000, and the long-term outlook for the field is promising—employment is expected to grow around 10% over the next decade.

5. Wholesale and manufacturing sales representative

A great option for those looking to establish roots in the customer service industry is to go after a position as a wholesale and manufacturing sales representative. Individuals employed in this role typically sell products for wholesalers or manufacturers to other businesses or organizations. They’re expected to handle a wide array of customer service responsibilities, from serving as the primary point of contact to answering questions, to enticing potential customers, to negotiating prices. Individuals in this field often work on a commission basis; although they constantly feel the pressure of meeting a sales quota, salaries for successful sales representatives can make the effort worthwhile. The typical salary range for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives is between $57,000 and $79,000, depending on the type of products sold, location, industry, and experience level. Typically, a high school diploma or some level of college is required to enter the field for non-technical product sales; for more technical or scientific product sales, a college degree is typically needed. Long-term outlook for the field is promising—employment is expected to grow around 6% over the next decade. If you think a job in the customer service field might make sense for you, consider pursuing a position in one of these five top customer service jobs—each has an excellent outlook for 2018 and the foreseeable future. Good luck!