We’ve all heard that AI is taking away our jobs. That might be true for some fields but without a doubt, there is one field where AI cannot take away the jobs from people. Yes, that is Consumer Services. No matter how much companies and organizations try to utilize chatbots and expect redundancy, they cannot replace real people. That is one of the many reasons why consumer services stay a relevant and lucrative career path despite the ongoing technological and AI revolution. So, if you’ve been wondering ‘Is consumer services a good career path in 2024’, then here are all your answers!
What is Consumer Services?
Most people confuse consumer service and customer service as the same thing. However, that is not true. While customer service means dealing with the customers directly, consumer services are more broad. It actually refers to all the intangible actions and strategies a business or organization takes to help their clients before, after, and during the purchase of a service or product.
It is an essential part of the customer journey even if they don’t purchase anything. Unlike a product, consumer services are delivered through assistance and communication in the form of pre-sale questions, post-purchase support, etc.
The goal of consumer services is to help your target market and build a good reputation. Essentially, you a consumer service professional solve the problems of the clients as well as potential clients.
Is Consumer Services in Demand? Scope in 2024
You must know that consumer services span across multiple fields. From your local convenience store cashier to financial advisors in banks and from restaurant servers to technical support specialists – all fall under consumer services. Meaning, there is no lack of jobs in this field.
In fact, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in consumer services are likely to grow by 11% from 2016 to 2026. So far, this prediction is true. We’re seeing a rise in employment opportunities in this field. It’s not all coincidence. There are plenty of legitimate reasons that consumer services will remain a good career path in the next ten years too.
First, research shows that by 2030, the nation will be struggling with challenges to care for aging baby boomers. This means that consumer services especially within the healthcare sector will rise in demand.
Similarly, the hospitality and tourism industry also have more employment opportunities as more and more people prioritize experiences and an improved work-life balance.
Another report by PwC shows that 73% of all companies that have a superior customer experience outperform all others in terms of revenue. This shows the importance, relevancy, and demand for consumer services jobs in 2024 and upcoming years.
What is the Best (High Paying) Job in Consumer Services?
Since consumer services jobs are so widespread, they range in difficulty and income. That is why, it is complicated to name one best jobs. Nevertheless, jobs in the IT, business and finance, and healthcare fields always come out on top. Following are some of the best high-paying jobs in consumer services, based on the data by The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Consumer Services Jobs and Salaries in the USA
| INDUSTRY | JOB TITLE | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | Sales Associate | $35,350 |
| Cashier | $31,180 | |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,450 | |
| Retail Store Manager | $75,039 | |
| Assistant Store Manager | $52,330 | |
| Bank Teller | $36,920 | |
| Loan Officer | $67,330 | |
| Financial Advisor | $89,560 | |
| Finance | Insurance Agent | $51,160 |
| Finance CSR | $42,780 | |
| Healthcare | Patient Service Representative | $43,610 |
| Medical Receptionist | $38,670 | |
| Pharmacy Technician | $36,240 | |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $48,700 | |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $77,600 | |
| Hospitality | Hotel Front Desk Agent | $37,140 |
| Hotel Concierge | $41,530 | |
| Restaurant Server | $27,700 | |
| Restaurant Manager | $50,120 | |
| Technology | Technical Support Specialist | $53,490 |
| Help Desk Analyst | $48,771 | |
| Social Media CSR | $48,670 | |
| Account Manager | $67,190 | |
| Travel and Tourism | Travel Agent | $40,150 |
| Airline CSR | $42,380 | |
| Travel Advisor | $48,830 | |
| Education | School Counselor | $62,810 |
| Admissions Representative | $51,240 | |
| Financial Aid Advisor | $58,220 | |
| Government | Citizen Service Representative | $47,390 |
| Social Worker | $51,180 | |
| Licensing Specialist | $49,370 | |
| Other | Client Service Representative (Law Firm) | $52,140 |
| Client Relationship Manager | $64,870 | |
| Event Planner | $49,210 | |
| Customer Service Representative (General) | $41,030 |
What Do You Need to Qualify for a Customer Service Job?
Almost all jobs in consumer services are well-paying. This makes a lot of people want to enter this field although most never do for fear of not having a relevant university degree. Fortunately, you do not need a degree to qualify for a consumer services job.
For entry-level jobs, you only need a high-school diploma or GED. However, keep in mind these jobs will also be low-paying at the start.
To land a high-paying job in consumer services, you’ll need an associate degree in a relevant field such as communication, business administration, REITs, etc.
For specific roles such as the travel and tourism industry, beauty, healthcare, and hospitality, you can get a well-paying job with just a specialized course and certifications, etc.
Can You Do a Consumer Services Job? 5 Essential Skills
We’ve somewhat established that consumer service is a good career path. But can you do it? Depending on the field, you might have to play the role of a friendly barista or a bartender listening to other people’s concerns. Or you might have to get a tech degree and training to help clients troubleshoot their internet and computer issues.
In most cases, you can get by without a university degree and some specialized certifications. Nevertheless, actually making a lucrative career out of consumer services requires some essential skills as well as experience. If you have these, then consumer services is a good career path for you.
- Excellent Communication – Since the primary goal is to resolve issues and provide assistance throughout the customer journey, you must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Problem-Solving Skills – The customers will come to you with various questions and issues, so you must be able to analyze a situation quickly and accurately and provide solutions to their problems.
- Active Listening – An active, emphatic listener is also essential for a consumer service job. If you’re not patient or a good listener, you will not be able to understand their frustrations or de-escalate tense situations.
- Collaboration – Ensuring a smooth customer journey is not a one-person act. Therefore, consumer specialists work across multiple departments and collaborate with their teams to provide the best services to their clients.
- Technical Skills – Depending on the industry, you’ll need specialized and industry-specific skills. Additionally, technical skills such as point-of-sale system management, CRM software, etc are a major plus.
Pros and Cons of Working in Consumer Services Jobs
If you’re still finding it difficult to choose consumer service as a career path and worrying about your life after retirement, then consider these quick benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
- Hundreds of Employment Opportunities.
- Consumer Services Jobs are likely to rise even more in demand by 2030.
- High-level income with an average salary of $50,000.
- No barrier to entry with various entry-level opportunities available.
- Various types of jobs are available for all levels, across all industries.
- Minimum qualification required.
- It teaches you transferable skills that are a great asset in different fields too if you choose to change your career path in the future.
- Rewarding customer satisfaction job.
Cons
- Entry-level jobs may pay lower salaries, especially if you don’t have any specialization.
- Career advancement to executive and senior-level positions is limited.
- Some jobs might have unpredictable schedules since consumer service specialists must assist customers 24/7.
- Dealing with customer complaints can be stressful and frustrating.
Final Verdict
Without a doubt, Consumer services is a good career path that won’t be redundant anytime soon. There are plenty of job opportunities in many different fields that you can select according to your interests. But ultimately, the choice is yours. Choosing a career fit for you depends on your personal preferences and professional goals. If you’re someone who enjoys talking to other people, has great communication skills, and wants a high-paying job with a minimum barrier to entry, then this field is the best fit for you.
