Top 10 Jobs in Customer Service – CBsalary.com

Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

From the coffee shop to the line at the DMV, you seem to make friends everywhere you go.  Heck, you even left the grocery store last week knowing the cashier’s kids’ names.  

A born “people” person, you’d probably enjoy a job in the customer service industry, as these jobs tend to attract workers with great interpersonal skills.   The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the following customer service jobs will have steady to faster than average job growth through 2014. 

Food and beverage server
Waiters, waitresses and bartenders all fall into this category.  Those who work in this field can receive most of their training on the job and enjoy flexible schedules; however, they also spend lot of time on their feet and often work nights and weekends.   

Salary (before tips): $21,794* for a bartender; $16,186 for a waiter/waitress 

Hairstylist
Proper training for this job is vital, lest your mission is to traumatize prom-going teenagers and anxious brides. Hairstylists should be adept at everything from basic haircutting to extensive coloring, highlighting, straightening and styling.   Not only do these workers need a license from an accredited cosmetology school (in most states), but they should also be on top of the latest fashion and beauty trends. 

Salary (with bonuses and benefits): $25,544 

Esthetician
Estheticians, or skin care specialists, give facials and full-body treatments, massages and hair removal services.  Like hairstylists, estheticians need to be trained at an accredited cosmetology school and should keep abreast of the latest beauty and skin care techniques, products and services. 

Salary (with bonuses and benefits): $33,415 

Fitness worker
Demand for skilled fitness workers, including personal trainers and aerobics, Pilates and yoga instructors, is growing at a rapid rate.  College graduates with a degree in a fitness-related field like exercise science or physical education will have access to the best job opportunities. Personal trainers must be certified in order to work, and, although group fitness instructors can train by participating in fitness classes and demonstrating an ability to lead a class, formal training and certification for them is increasingly preferred (especially among Pilates and yoga teachers).   

Salary (with bonuses and benefits): $34,299 

Flight attendant
Flight attendants both ensure that flight safety regulations are followed and help passengers feel as comfortable as possible.  Discount airfare and travel opportunities are major perks of this job; however, the downsides include holiday, night and weekend shifts, significant time away from home and unruly passengers.  Although a high school diploma is generally the only educational requirement for this job, airlines also often have height requirements (for reaching overhead bins) and need workers with good vision.    

Salary (with bonuses and benefits): $50,111 

Gaming dealer
Gaming dealers interact directly with casino patrons by dealing cards to customers at table games, determining winners and collecting losing bets.  Although these workers must be skilled at executing their games, most casinos have programs through which they can train or receive certification.   

Salary (with bonuses and benefits): $19,412 

Retail salesperson
From shoes to cars, retail salespersons help customers find what they are looking for and try to interest them in buying the merchandise. Though not required, a high school diploma usually is preferred for this type of work. Salespeople should enjoy working with others, possess the tact and patience to deal with difficult customers, portray a professional appearance and have excellent communication skills.  

Salary (with bonuses and benefits): $24,144 

Customer service representative
Customer service representatives serve as a direct point of contact for customers to ensure that they receive an adequate level of company service.  Some customer service representatives handle general questions and complaints, whereas others specialize in a particular area and help customers make choices.  Increasingly, employers require an associate or bachelor’s degree for this work.  

Salary (with bonuses and benefits): $30,379 

Computer support specialist
Computer support specialists provide technical assistance, support and advice to computer hardware, software and systems users. Their jobs entail answering telephone calls and analyzing and resolving problems. Many computer support specialist jobs require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems, but some jobs may require only a computer-related associate’s degree.  

Salary (with bonuses and benefits): $58,210 

Counter and rental clerk
Counter and rental clerks answer questions involving product availability, cost and rental provisions for products like videos, air compressors or moving vans and services like dry cleaning or appliance repair. They must be knowledgeable about the company’s goods and services, policies and procedures and often give customers advice.  

Salary (with bonuses and benefits): $22,806 

*Salary information from CBsalary.com.