10 of the best-paying consumer services jobs

Do you have great people skills? If so, a job in the consumer services industry might be the one for you.

You can find customer service jobs in almost every industry, including health care, retail, and even computer science. These roles help businesses cater to their customers and find ways to improve overall customer satisfaction.

This field can also be very accessible and high-paying, with plenty of career advancement and growth opportunities. But you might be wondering which consumer services jobs pay the most.

In this article, we’ll review the top 10 full-time jobs in the consumer services industry and their annual salaries and job requirements.

1. Receptionist

Average salary: $47,431 annually

As a receptionist, you are the first point of contact for your workplace’s customers or visitors.

This job may include:

Greeting visitors in a friendly manner
Guiding visitors to the right department or person
Answering phone calls and connecting them to the right place
Scheduling appointments
Updating data records
Handling administrative tasks
Receiving, sorting, and delivering mail within the workplace

This job's education and skill requirements can vary, but a high-school diploma is sufficient for most entry-level jobs. Some companies may require a college degree in any discipline and relevant work experience for this role.

A receptionist job requires excellent communication and customer service skills, multitasking ability, and proficiency with basic computer programs and office equipment.

2. Member services representative

Average salary: $37,681 annually

You can find member services representative roles in various industries, such as finance, health care, retail, and technology. But what does it involve?

As a member service representative, your role includes:

Resolving customers' queries via phone, email, or online chat
Answering phones at a call center
Providing information and answering questions about memberships and fees
Troubleshooting payment issues
Documenting inquiries and maintaining membership records

A high school diploma is necessary for entry-level member service representative positions. These positions may also require health care or financial services knowledge, depending on the industry. Applicants should be well-versed in basic technology, have a problem-solving attitude, and have excellent communication skills.

3. Client services manager

Average salary: $69,411 annually

A client services manager serves as the primary point of contact for a business’s clients. This role maintains good relations with potential and existing clients.

Your role includes:

Understanding the client's needs and expectations
Providing customer support and guidance to clients
Managing and maintaining client relations
Client onboarding and feedback collection
Regularly checking in with clients to see if they are satisfied with the products or services provided

Applicants will need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, marketing, or finance), depending on the company. This job is usually not entry-level and often requires four to five years of customer service or account management experience. You should also have excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

4. Front desk manager

Average salary: $52,507 annually

A front desk manager oversees front desk operations and staff at a business, such as a retail store, health care facility, or hotel.

In this role, you will:

Manage reservations or bookings
Coordinate with staff from other departments
Manage customer complaints and questions
Answer incoming phone calls and emails
Schedule shifts for other employees

Most entry-level front desk manager jobs require a high school diploma and strong leadership and management skills. Some companies may also prefer prior experience in the customer service industry to hire you for this role.

5. Help desk analyst

Average salary: $48,771 annually

A help desk analyst or technical support representative is a crucial part of any company’s information technology (IT) team.

In this role, you will:

Provide technical assistance to end-users facing system-related problems
Troubleshoot hardware and software issues
Resolve technical issues over email or phone
Perform regular back-end systems maintenance

This role requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like business administration, computer sciences, or IT. You should have a strong understanding of technology and strong communication skills. You may not need any work experience for an entry-level position; however, someone with related work experience may have easier access to senior roles and higher pay.

6. Flight attendant

Average salary: $39,448 annually

Flight attendants ensure airline passengers' safety and comfort during air travel.

This job includes:

Greeting airline passengers as they board the aircraft
Performing safety checks before and after each flight
Helping passengers find their seats
Educating passengers about emergency protocols
Serving food and beverages to flight passengers
Responding to customer inquiries during the flight

You’ll likely need a high school diploma for a flight attendant job. However, some companies prefer candidates with a college degree in hospitality or a related field.

Upon hire, flight attendants undergo extensive training in flight procedures and protocols. A qualified candidate must possess good interpersonal skills, the ability to stay calm in a stressful situation, and a friendly, polite demeanor.

7. Event planner

Average salary: $47,052 annually

Event planners are a large part of the hospitality industry. They work to execute various kinds of events, like weddings, parties, and corporate events.

Responsibilities for this role include:

Understanding clients’ needs and preferences
Finding and booking suitable venues
Partnering with different vendors to organize and service events
Managing budgets and timelines
Overseeing logistics like catering, decor, and entertainment

You need a bachelor’s degree in hospitality, event planning, or a related field for a job in event planning. You also need leadership and organizational skills and the ability to multitask.

You can opt for an entry-level event planning job even if you don’t have prior experience. You can climb up the ladder to senior event managing positions as you gain experience.

8. Concierge

Average salary: $35,370 annually

Concierge jobs are often in the travel and tourism industry but can also be in some high-end office buildings or apartment complexes.

Depending on where you get a job, your responsibilities could include:

Greeting customers as they arrive
Making restaurant reservations
Managing hotel check-ins and check-outs
Arranging transportation for hotel guests
Recommending local attractions and activities to guests

Concierge applicants will need a high school diploma, but some employers may require a college degree in hospitality or a related field. You should also have excellent communication skills, organization skills, and attention to detail. Familiarity with the surrounding area is an added bonus.

You don’t need any prior experience for this position. You could be promoted to a hotel or guest services manager as you gain experience.

9. Restaurant manager

Average salary: $50,120 annually

Restaurant managers oversee the daily operations of restaurants.

This can include tasks like:

Overseeing restaurant staff
Ensuring excellent customer service
Managing staffing schedules
Managing the restaurant’s finances
Ensuring company compliance with health and safety regulations
Managing inventory

You need a high school diploma and food safety training to land a job as a restaurant manager. In addition, you should have some leadership and management experience, customer service skills, organizational skills, and financial literacy.

A senior role usually requires some prior restaurant work experience. However, entry-level positions can serve as stepping stones for career advancement within the food service industry.

10. Retail store manager

Average salary: $75,039 annually

As the name suggests, a retail store manager manages the daily operations of a retail store.

The job responsibilities typically include:

Recruiting, training, and managing store staff
Implementing marketing and sales strategies
Helping customers and answering questions
Monitoring inventory
Tracking sales and revenue
Ensuring the store complies with safety regulations
Resolving customer issues

You may need a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field for this role. You should also have some leadership or management experience and excellent communication skills. However, you could also begin with an entry-level role at a retail store and advance with experience.

Which companies are hiring for consumer services jobs on Handshake?

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If you’re looking for the best-paying jobs in the consumer services industry, we hope this list of career options helps you make an informed decision about your future.

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