While there are pros and cons to working in the consumer services sector, most people find it a great field with plenty of job opportunities. Well-paying consumer services jobs are available in fields like retail, transportation, healthcare, and dining. This page will discuss the top jobs in the consumer services field and give you more useful information to help you decide if this is the right career field for you.
10 top consumer services jobs
Let's dig into 10 examples of consumer services jobs to give you a better idea of what each one looks like. We'll tell you what person each job is best suited for, the average salary, projected job outlook, and what education or experience would set you up for success in different types of customer service jobs.
Customer service representative
Customer service representatives work in a variety of different organizations to improve the customer experience and provide customer support. They respond to customer concerns and questions while helping to process orders and resolve issues. They sometimes work in call centers, but they may also work with customers face-to-face.
If you enjoy interacting with people and have strong communication and problem-solving skills, then you may enjoy working as a customer service representative. This skill set will help you offer excellent customer service regardless of which corner of the service industry you're working in.
Typically, you can find an entry-level job with only a high school diploma, although service experience in a related field is also helpful. While employment for customer service providers is projected to decline by 4% each year through 2031, it's still anticipated that there will be around 400,000 new jobs opening up each year. On average, customer service representatives work full-time and make $17.75 per hour.
As a sales associate, you'll connect with buyers in a specific market to sell goods and services. Like customer service, it's a good job for people who enjoy connecting with others and responding to questions and concerns. The need for salespeople is on a slight decline, but around two million openings are projected each year to replace salespeople who retire or move on to another industry.
As of May 2021, the median annual wage for sales associates was only $30,600 per year. However, your salary may vary depending on what industry you're in. For example, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives make over $60,000 per year on average. In addition, many sales jobs require only a high school diploma and no previous experience.
Retail store manager
Retail store managers oversee operations in their store or department. They may be in charge of purchasing supplies, budgeting funds, and managing employees. The median hourly wage is just under $22 per hour, which translates to an average annual wage of around $45,000.
Over 1.1 million people work in retail store management. From that group, around 250,000 work in general merchandise, and another 150,000 work in food and beverage stores. Typically, retail service managers who work in building material and supply stores make the highest hourly and annual wage, reporting a mean hourly pay of $23.42.
Marketing manager
Marketing managers work to raise customer awareness and interest in products and services. They often work in advertising agencies or regional managing offices. Most marketing manager positions require a bachelor's degree, and individuals with prior experience in marketing may have an easier time competing for open positions.
This can be one of the best-paying jobs in consumer services, as the median salary for a marketing manager in May 2021 was around $135,000. When you factor in that employment for marketing managers is projected to grow by 10% each year through 2031, it could be a great time to pursue a job in this field.
Human resources manager
Human resources managers work with organizations and help with administrative functions. They are employed in almost every industry, and most have a bachelor's or a master's degree. On average, they make $126,230 each year or $60.69 per hour.
Over the next ten years, the need for human services managers is projected to grow by 7% each year. In 2021, there were around 175,000 people working in this field, and there could be around 13,000 more by the year 2031.
Tellers help customers process transactions at banks and financial institutions. They usually have a high school diploma before they begin working, and most will also complete about one month of on-the-job training. Since bank tellers often work as cashiers and help customers face-to-face, they should have excellent communication skills.
The average bank teller makes around $17.50 per hour or just over $36,000 per year. Over the next several years, employment of bank tellers is predicted to decline by 12% each year. There could still be as many as 35,000 openings each year due to current bank tellers retiring or transitioning to other roles.
Financial advisor
Financial advisors work with individuals and families to provide financial advice, help with money management, and plan for retirement and the future. Most have a bachelor's degree and go through extended on-the-job training. According to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average financial advisor makes around $45 per hour or close to $95,000 each year.
The need for financial advisors is quickly growing. Over the next several years through 2031, the number of employed personal financial advisors is forecasted to grow by 15% yearly. This means there will be over 30,000 openings for financial advisors each year.
Concierge
Concierges usually work in hotels, office buildings, and apartments. They help patrons or residents by taking messages, arranging transportation, planning entertainment, and responding to guest requests and questions.
There are over 37,000 concierges employed in the United States, with the average concierge making $18.40 per hour or $38,270 per year. Concierges in the 90th percentile can make over $55,000 annually.
A large number of concierges work in real estate in addition to traveler accommodation. Many also work in retirement communities or assisted living facilities. Concierges who are employed in investigation and security services usually report the highest hourly and annual pay.
Hotel manager
Hotel managers work with guests to help them have a pleasant experience while staying at their hotel. They may also plan and lead onsite activities in a way that helps the facility stay operational and profitable. Work schedules can vary, and many hotel managers sometimes work nights and weekends.
Some hotel managers have only a high school diploma, but many also hold a bachelor's degree in hospitality or hotel management. The average annual pay for a hotel manager is just under $60,000 each year. The need for hotel managers is quickly growing, with an 18% annual increase projected through the year 2031. This translates to around 7,100 openings each year.
Public relations manager
Public relations managers work with individual clients or organizations to boost their public image. Some also help raise money through donations and planned campaigns. Typically, they work in offices during regular business hours but may also travel to give speeches and participate in community activities.
A public relations manager usually has a bachelor's degree, and some also go on to earn master's degrees. The median hourly wage for a public relations manager is $57.62 per hour or $119,860 per year. Around 9,000 job openings are projected annually through the year 2031, which represents a yearly increase of 8%.
Pros and cons of working in consumer services
Want to learn more about working in consumer services? Here are a few of the most notable pros and cons.
Pros of consumer services careers
Working in consumer services has several advantages. Here are a few that stand out:
- The work is fulfilling. Helping people solve problems and address issues can be intrinsically rewarding. If you're looking for a career where you can make a difference and serve people in need, this may be the right job for you.
- You can develop your skills. When you work in consumer services, you'll engage in tasks that help you build interpersonal skills that can prepare you for future success in your career, whether that's in consumer services or another industry.
- There aren't significant education requirements. Some employers will hire you for an entry-level consumer services position with only a high school diploma and minimal past work experience. A bachelor's degree may set you apart further from the competition, but it's unlikely that you'll need a master's degree or several years of experience in the field to get started.
- You may discover advancement opportunities. Most jobs offer chances for promotion and career growth for successful employees. For example, if you do a good job as a customer service representative, you may get promoted to manage other customer service representatives.
Cons of consumer services careers
While there are benefits to working in consumer services, there are some downsides to consider as well. Let's discuss some of the notable cons of a career in consumer services:
- Your schedule might vary. Many consumer services jobs aren't 9 to 5 positions. You may have to work long hours over nights and weekends depending on your situation and your employer's needs. You might not have the same schedule each week, either.
- Your work can be stressful. Working with difficult customers can sometimes be frustrating and draining. If you have to deal with angry customers (or aren't used to spending most of your time working with people), you may experience some degree of burnout.
- Your responsibilities may change often. Consumer services workers must be able to adapt to changing needs and evolving situations. Some people enjoy working in this type of fast-paced environment, while others prefer a sense of predictability and routine.
- The starting pay can be low. Compared to other jobs, the starting pay for consumer services employees may be slightly lower than average. However, you can raise your earnings if you gain additional training and experience.
What education do you need for a career in consumer services?
Not all consumer services jobs require a bachelor's degree. You can sometimes be considered for entry-level positions with only a high school diploma. There are some roles and positions where it will be helpful to have a bachelor's degree, and earning your degree can set you apart from the competition and make you stand out as a stronger candidate during the job search and interview process.
The best college majors for consumer services jobs
If you're thinking about getting into consumer services, getting a relevant bachelor's degree is a great first step. Here are a few that stand out as some of the best majors for anyone looking to get into consumer services.
- Business. As a business major, you'll learn the basics of finance, administration, and marketing. You'll figure out how to apply your knowledge to real-world issues in business and life.
- Psychology. Psychology majors study human behavior to understand why people think and act the way they do. They take classes in developmental, social, and behavioral psychology.
- Marketing. If you want to learn about how to best promote products and services in a way that catches the attention of potential customers, perhaps a marketing major is the right fit for you.
- Communications. Communication majors learn how to articulate and share messages across different mediums effectively. Since all jobs require communication skills, it's a great major for anyone looking to develop transferable skills.
- Criminal Justice. You'll learn about the criminal justice system and how it applies to law enforcement and corrections.
- Accounting. This major will teach you how to prepare financial statements, how to uphold financial law, and how to prepare individual and corporate tax returns. This degree can be especially helpful if you're looking to get into financial services or a related career.
- English. English majors study famous documents and resources throughout history as they learn how to analyze language and literature. This work can help you become a better writer, thinker, and creator.
Find the best school for you with College Rover
The consumer services industry should continue to offer plenty of lucrative opportunities for anyone who enjoys solving problems and working with people. It's not a difficult field to get into, and the work can be quite fulfilling and rewarding.
If you need more help researching schools and degree programs, explore College Rover. We'd love to help you learn more about various colleges and universities with our online database that's full of relevant information. You can even create a spreadsheet of your top choices to keep track of your options and share them with family and friends. Give it a try today!
