The average hourly pay range for a call center representative in the United States is $12.00 to $24.00 per hour. Salaries for this position range from $24,286 to $39,640 per year.

These figures represent an average range in the United States. That doesn’t mean you have to start at the lowest end and work your way up or that the highest end is the limit.

How much you can make will be determined by a variety of factors: how well you do your job, how long you stay in the role, and the moves you make to get better at your role.

Non-Monetary Benefits to Expect

In addition to your salary as a call center representative, you might also receive non-monetary benefits. They can add substantial value to your overall compensation package and greatly influence your job satisfaction and financial health.

When evaluating job offers, be sure to consider these extra benefits as well as the hourly pay or annual salary.

Here are some non-monetary benefits common for call center representatives:

  • Health Insurance: This is a pretty common benefit for full-time hourly and salaried call center reps. Health insurance often includes medical coverage, dental, and vision coverage to help you manage healthcare costs.
  • Retirement Plans: Many call center jobs, especially at large organizations, provide access to retirement plans like a 401(k). This is an excellent benefit for long-term financial planning and is usually reserved for salaried employees. However, it’s becoming a more common benefit for hourly employees, too.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): PTO is a standard benefit, allowing employees to take time off while still receiving pay. The amount of PTO can vary, but it’s available to both hourly and salaried positions.
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Many call centers offer EAPs, which provide confidential resources for personal and work-related issues. These programs are designed to help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance and are available to all employees.
  • Professional Development Opportunities: While not a direct financial benefit, access to training and development programs can enhance your skills and career prospects over the long term. These benefits are generally available to both hourly and salaried employees and can significantly boost your earning potential.
  • Performance Bonuses: Some call centers offer bonuses based on individual or team performance. While more common in salaried positions, performance bonuses can also be available to hourly workers depending on company policy.

Factors that Impact Your Salary as a Call Center Rep

Your pay as a call center rep depends on a few important factors. Understanding them can help you navigate your career path more effectively and set realistic salary expectations.

Here’s a breakdown of significant factors that can affect your pay:

  • Where you work: If you’re in a big city or an area with high living costs, you’ll usually make more than working in a rural or less expensive location.
  • Your industry: Specialized fields, such as finance, healthcare, and technology, usually pay more because they require specific knowledge. General customer service or retail call center jobs tend to pay less.
  • Your job in the call center: Again, jobs that require special knowledge typically earn more. For example, sales positions often pay more than customer service positions because they bring in revenue by closing sales or upselling. This yields sales-focused agents a higher base salary as well as incentives such as commissions and bonuses.
  • Your experience and skills: Call center reps with specialized skills or several years of experience can expect higher salaries than entry-level or less experienced workers.
  • Education and certifications: Having degrees or certificates, especially in fields like finance or healthcare, can help you earn more. They’re not always needed but can be a plus during salary talks.

When you combine these factors, it’s easy to start thinking about potential best- and worst-case scenarios for your pay as a call center agent.

Best-Case Scenario

The best-case scenario for earning a high salary might involve working as a technical support specialist in the tech industry in Seattle, Washington. Washington has a high cost of living, and Seattle boasts the highest minimum wage of any city in the U.S. at $19.97 per hour as of January 2024.

Considering that’s the bare minimum pay for this city and the tech industry is a specialized field, you would likely earn significantly more than $20 per hour, especially if you have a few years of experience in this type of role.

Worst-Case Scenario

In contrast, the worst-case scenario would be starting your first job in a state like Kansas with a low cost of living that adheres to the federal minimum wage of $7.25, and working in a non-specialized role such as basic customer service.

The lack of experience and industry knowledge, combined with the location and low minimum wage, makes it likely that you could earn a starting average wage for call center agents, which is $12 per hour.

4 Quick Tips to Improve Your Salary in Six Months (Or Less)

In the call center world, there are four practical steps you can take to potentially increase your salary within six months or less.

1. Get Certifications

To boost your salary as a call center representative, focus on developing your skills by earning certifications. Start by considering certifications that are relevant to your role.

General call center roles can benefit from a Call Center Management Certification. Specialized sectors like finance or healthcare, on the other hand, might require something more specific such as the Certified Banking & Credit Analyst Certification or becoming a Certified Healthcare Customer Service Representative.

These certifications demonstrate your commitment to the field and significantly enhance your skill set in the eyes of employers.

2. Track Your Short-Term Performance

Pay attention to key metrics like Average Handling Time (AHT), First Call Resolution (FCR), and Customer Satisfaction Scores (CSAT). Aim to perform above the standard in these areas.

Regularly evaluate your own metrics, seek areas for improvement, and request feedback from your managers. Excelling in these key areas can set you apart as a high-performing agent.

3. Ask for a Raise

If you’ve been in your role for three to six months and consistently performed well, this is an appropriate time to talk to your boss about a raise.

Prepare for this conversation by understanding the standard pay rates for your position. Present the key metrics you’ve been tracking. Doing so, you can offer concrete proof of your performance. Be prepared to negotiate and express your commitment to long-term growth within the company.

4. Develop Your Skills

Enhancing any skills relevant to your role and industry, such as communication, problem-solving, and technical knowledge, can boost your value to a company.

Don’t forget to take advantage of training opportunities, online courses, or mentorship programs offered by your employer.

6 Long-Term Strategies to Increase Your Value Over Time

Here, we’ll cover a few ways to gradually enhance your skills, experience, and overall value in the call center industry. By focusing on long-term growth, you can transform a job into a career and hopefully reach more rewarding and higher-paying roles.

1. Create a Career Path

There are several career advancement opportunities in a call center. Below are a few ideas to consider for your career path and how you can tailor your skills to them.

  • Team Supervisor: In this position, you’ll oversee a team of call center agents, manage schedules, and ensure that performance targets are met. You can prepare for this role by developing leadership skills, learning how to manage team dynamics, and understanding the ins and outs of performance metrics.
  • Quality Assurance Analyst: This role is about improving call quality, agent training, and overall customer experience. To gear up for a QA Analyst role, sharpen your analytical skills and become familiar with call center software and quality standards.
  • Workforce Management Analyst: This position specializes in staff scheduling, call volume forecasting, and ensuring optimal workforce utilization. Prepare for this role by developing strong analytical skills, understanding workforce management tools, and gaining insight into call center trends and traffic patterns.
  • Training and Development Coordinator: This position handles training programs for new hires and ongoing training for existing staff. To move into this job, build your skills in instructional design, get familiar with adult learning principles, and develop strong communication and presentation skills.

2. Get a Degree

Earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree can significantly enhance your career prospects. Be sure to tailor your area of study to the career path you’re interested in.

For example, a degree in Business Management would be great if you want to be a supervisor, and a degree in Human Resources would boost your career as a training and development coordinator.

3. Talk to Your Boss About Career Goals

Communicating your aspirations to your supervisor is vital if you want to achieve a more satisfying position in your career. It shows initiative and keeps you in consideration for upcoming opportunities.

The best way to do this is to schedule regular meetings to discuss your progress, seek feedback, and express your interest in advancing within the organization.

4. Take on More Responsibility

Volunteering for additional tasks, such as helping with special projects or assisting in other departments, can showcase your versatility and commitment.

However, make sure that these responsibilities align with your career goals, and don’t overextend yourself without the prospect of advancement.

5. Learn Skills Outside Your Role

Take advantage of cross-training opportunities or shadowing programs to understand the workings of other departments like HR, accounting, or technical support.

If those types of opportunities aren’t available from the company, take the initiative and invite someone from another department to lunch to learn more about their position. These steps will broaden your skill set, expand your network, and prepare you for more diverse roles within the organization.

6. Track Your Long-Term Performance

Document your achievements, training, certifications, and any extra responsibilities you’ve taken on. If applicable, keep track of metrics that demonstrate your impact, such as customer feedback, resolution rates, or sales numbers.

This record will be invaluable in discussions about raises or promotions and provide concrete evidence of all your contributions over the years.