Salary data · Bespree
Customer Service Representative Salary in New York City
Customer Service Representatives in the New York City area earn a median of $23.50/hr — based on BLS OEWS May 2024.
At median pay, that's roughly $48,880/year, $940/week, or $4,070/month (40-hour week, before taxes).
About customer service representatives
Job duties, work environment, and education based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What customer service representatives do
Customer service representatives interact with customers on behalf of organizations. They handle complaints, process orders and returns, provide product and service information, answer questions, and resolve problems. They communicate through phone, email, chat, and in-person interactions. Representatives also update customer accounts, document interactions, and route complex issues to specialists.
Work environment
Customer service representatives work in offices, call centers, insurance agencies, banks, and retail establishments. Some work from home. The work involves sitting for long periods and using computers and telephone systems extensively. Schedules may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, particularly in call centers that operate around the clock.
How to become one
A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical requirement. Most representatives receive several weeks of on-the-job training covering company products, systems, and customer service procedures. Strong communication, problem-solving, and computer skills are important. Some positions in specialized industries may require additional education or certifications.
Similar occupations
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — bls.gov/ooh. BLS content is in the public domain.
Hourly wage ranges
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th) | $17.34 | $36,067 |
| 25th percentile | $19.36 | $40,269 |
| Median (50th) | $23.50 | $48,880 |
| 75th percentile | $29.46 | $61,277 |
| Top earners (90th) | $37.50 | $78,000 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 · Annual estimate = hourly × 2,080 hrs · Actual annual income varies by hours worked and schedule.
Customer Service Representatives — Hourly Pay Distribution
Percentile range from entry-level to top earners
How New York City compares
Customer Service Representatives pay by metro
| Metro | Median/hr |
|---|---|
| New York City | $23.50 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford | $23.34 |
| Los Angeles | $22.78 |
| New Haven | $22.64 |
| Trenton-Princeton | $22.09 |
| Chicago | $22.03 |
| Philadelphia | $21.77 |
| Houston | $18.90 |
| Miami | $18.66 |
Customer Service Representatives — Median Hourly Pay by Metro
Sorted by median pay, highest to lowest
Job outlook for Customer Service Representatives
National employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
🔴 Declining
-9.4% projected growth, 2024–2034
-262,500
2024–2034
~359,600
New + replacement
2,803,100
2024 estimate
High school diploma
Entry-level
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Published August 2025. National-level projections — local growth may differ.
Skills & qualifications
Key skills and knowledge areas from O*NET OnLine, plus representative tools compiled by Bespree for customer service representatives.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Clerical
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- CRM software
- Help desk software
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Headsets
- Live chat platforms
Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree.
Commute-adjusted effective wage
What you actually earn after subtracting the cost of getting to work.
Effective hourly wage after estimated commute costs, based on a 40-hr work week.
| Commute mode | Monthly cost | Hourly impact | Effective wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commute cost (baseline) | — | — | $23.50 |
| NYC Subway (unlimited monthly) | ~$132/mo | −$0.76/hr | $22.74/hr |
| Driving + parking (estimate) | ~$550/mo | −$3.17/hr | $20.33/hr |
Methodology: Commute cost is deducted from median hourly wage assuming 2,080 working hours per year (52 weeks × 40 hrs). Costs are directional estimates based on published transit fares or AAA average variable driving costs. Actual costs vary by distance, schedule, vehicle, and commute days.
NYC Subway (unlimited monthly): MTA 30-day unlimited pass, 2024 rate.
Driving + parking (estimate): AAA avg variable cost + typical NYC street/garage parking.
Local job market
—
No current paid openings on Bespree
Public-sector pay signals
—
No current imported salary signals for this role
BLS estimates 132,090 customer service representatives employed in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area, or 1.6 per 1,000 jobs. (BLS OEWS May 2024)
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Data source: Wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, BLS OEWS May 2024. Job outlook data is from the BLS Employment Projections program (BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034). BLS data is in the public domain. Occupation profile content summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after retrieval. Wage figures are estimates and do not constitute a guarantee of earnings. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, certifications, and hours worked. Weekly and monthly earnings shown assume a 40-hour work week and are pre-tax estimates. Commute cost figures are directional estimates based on published transit fares and AAA average variable driving cost data; actual commute costs vary.