Consumer services is one of the largest sources of employment in the United States.
According to data aggregated by the market research firm Gitnux, nearly 80% of U.S. jobs are service-related, employing more than 135 million people. Additionally, the sector is expected to grow at 4.2% annually through 2028.
Consumer demand has increased significantly in recent years, driving hiring and making these jobs among the most accessible, in-demand, and consistently available. Consider the data below.
What Are Consumer Services?
The consumer services sector is made up of industries that directly serve individuals. This includes hospitality, retail, healthcare support, customer service, and financial services.
These roles meet needs by providing services rather than products.
| Industry | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | Businesses that sell products directly to consumers, either in stores or online. | Sales associate, store manager, cashier, customer service representative, visual merchandiser |
| Leisure and hospitality | Businesses that provide travel, lodging, dining, and entertainment experiences. | Hotel front desk agent, restaurant server, host, event coordinator, tour guide, hospitality manager, hotel or restaurant manager |
| Health and social services | Organizations that support personal healthcare needs and social aid through medical services or community support. | Medical receptionist, home health aid, social worker, social services assistant, patient coordinator, certified nursing assistant (CNA), mental health counselor |
| Education | Organizations that teach, train, or provide academic support to students and the general public. | Teacher, substitute teacher, tutor, academic advisor, guidance counselor, educational program coordinator |
| Finance | Businesses that help individuals manage money via banking, loans, financial planning services, and insurance. | Bank teller, financial advisor, loan officer, insurance agent, customer service specialist |
| Media and information | Industries that create, distribute, and manage news, information, and entertainment media. | Journalist, content creator, editor, digital marketing specialist, media coordinator, social media manager |
| Transportation | Services that move people or goods. | Bus driver, train conductor, pilot, flight attendant, travel agent, customer service agent |
Is consumer services a good career path?
Working in the consumer services sector can be rewarding because it helps build people-focused skills and has clear paths for advancement. Diverse job opportunities also make it generally accessible.
The steady demand for roles that serve everyday needs facilitates opportunities to grow into management or other specialized roles. Creating a career plan can help you set goals and develop the skills you’ll need to progress over time.
How Many Positions Are Open in the Consumer Services Sector?
Consumer services make up a huge part of the U.S. and global economies, employing millions of people across a wide range of industries. To understand the scale of this sector, it helps to look at the following key figures.
In the United States
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently more than 130 million people employed in the consumer services sector. An estimated 9.1 million roles are waiting to be filled.
Modest to faster than average growth is expected, with new positions opening each year. For example, the aging U.S. population will require more healthcare support services roles. Medical assistant roles are expected to grow by 12% by 2034, and other healthcare support roles by 9%.
The hospitality industry projects growth closer to the 3% national average. For example, 3% growth for restaurant servers and 5% growth for lodging manager roles. Hospitality transportation is a notable exception, with 9% estimated growth for chauffeur, shuttle, and taxi drivers.
Worldwide
It is estimated that services represented more than 65% of total global employment in 2022, involving more than 2.1 billion workers.
The HR software provider SSR reports that the United States ranks number one among countries hiring for consumer services roles.
Other top countries include China, Japan, Germany, and the UK. The European Union mirrors the U.S., with about 75% of its workforce engaged in consumer service roles.
The 10 Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Services
Specialized consumer services careers offer a strong earning potential. We’ve identified 10 of the top-salaried roles for 2026.
1. Airline pilot
Airline pilots can expect a median pay of $198,100 per year, ranging from around $122K to $226K.
Actual pay depends on the carrier the pilot works for and whether they specialize in passenger airlines, cargo, or helicopters. Copilots and flight engineers can expect a similar salary.
2. Marketing manager
Marketing managers are tasked with developing the strategies that attract and retain customers, including advertising campaigns and branding.
They focus on analyzing market trends and are commonly employed by industries like travel and retail. They can expect a median pay of $159,660 per year.
3. Retail sales manager
Retail sales managers typically work in retail environments; some travel to different locations. Others may manage a specific store, handling daily operations, hiring staff, managing inventory, and making sure sales targets are met. They can expect to be paid $138,060 annually.
4. Customer Success Manager
Customer success managers are there to help customers get the most value from a company’s services or products, often in the tech or financial industries. They encourage long-term relationships through support and onboarding.
They can expect an average salary of $114,049 per year, with the highest earners making nearly $145K per year.
5. Financial advisor
Financial advisors help their clients navigate investments, retirement planning, taxes, insurance, and other money matters as they plan for long-term goals. Some work for banks while others have their own agencies. They can expect a median pay of $102,400.
6. Travel manager
Travel managers are like travel agents on steroids. They coordinate business and leisure travel for businesses and organizations, negotiating with airlines and hotels and planning all the logistics. They can expect an average of $109,661 per year.
7. Transportation manager
Transportation managers are responsible for the movement of goods and people. They are employed by airlines, logistics companies, and public transit systems.
Their oversight includes safety, scheduling, staff supervision, and planning. Transportation managers can expect a median pay of $102,010 per year.
8. Media producer
In the past, producers were typically involved only in film production—movies, television series, and commercials. Today, they manage the development of all sorts of digital content, including podcasts and social media content.
Media producers can expect to make $83,480 per year. Those contracted with large companies are usually the highest earners.
9. Hospitality manager
Hospitality managers supervise travel accommodations-related businesses such as hotels and resorts.
They are focused on maintaining service quality and guest satisfaction, but they must also coordinate staff and manage budgets. They can expect a median annual salary of $68,130.
10. Real estate broker
Real estate brokers are involved in the purchase, selling, and renting of commercial or residential properties. They deal with the legal documentation, contracts, and negotiations, as well as public property listings.
Their median annual pay is $58,960, but those working with high-value properties can earn significantly more.
The Biggest Consumer Services Companies Hiring in the U.S.
As mentioned above, consumer services are one of the largest sectors. It also includes some of the biggest companies and largest employers in the United States. As you’ll see in the table below, these companies span multiple industries.
They also represent a wide range of career opportunities, whether you’re seeking an entry-level role, a specialization, or a management position.
| Company | Industry | Workforce Size |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Retail | 2.1 million employees |
| Amazon | E-commerce and retail | 1.5 million employees |
| The Home Depot | Retail and home improvement | 470,000 employees |
| Target | Retail | 440,000 employees |
| Kroger | Grocery and retail | 430,000 employees |
| UnitedHealth Group | Healthcare and insurance | 400,000 employees |
| Starbucks | Food service and hospitality | 381,000 employees |
| Marriott International | Hospitality | 377,000 employees |
| TJX Companies | Retail | 360,000 employees |
| Costco Wholesale | Grocery, retail, and wholesale | 330,000 employees |
How To Build a Career in the Consumer Services Sector
To build your career in consumer services, you must understand what’s required. Then, take some time to gain necessary skills and perhaps expand your experience.
1. Understand the different roles in consumer services
There are many career paths to choose from. You might work in customer support, a call center, client success, a retail operation, or hospitality, for example.
Think about your strengths, what you’ve enjoyed doing in the past, and what you’re good at. Compare these roles to your strengths to find a good match.
2. Develop the right core skills
Many skills are transferable between consumer services jobs. Almost every role will require basic tech skills, communication, time management, empathy, and conflict resolution.
Focus on cultivating these skills in your current role, and they’ll serve you well when you transition to consumer services.
You can use ResumeCoach’s AI skills generator to help identify the top skills you’ll need for a given position. Enter the name of the role and industry to generate a personalized list of skills.
3. Get entry-level experience and measurable results
Transferable skills are good, but industry-specific experience is even better. You can get your foot in the door, so to speak, by taking on an entry-level role. This may be in the form of an internship, a part-time position, or a remote support role.
Then, track simple metrics that you can later leverage. These might include customer satisfaction scores, improvements to retention rates, or other numeric values.
4. Earn relevant certifications and training
You can add credibility to your skills by taking short courses that are relevant to your desired sector.
Often, these classes can be taken online and at your own pace. Even basic training in Excel, CRM platforms, or other computer skills can help you stand out, as can communication or public speaking certifications.
5. Choose a field to specialize in
Consumer services are an extremely broad category. You should choose to direct your efforts by selecting a field (such as team lead, quality assurance, customer success, or operations) to specialize in.
One way to do this is by asking for relevant tasks or volunteering for projects in your current role. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with the tools you used and the results of your endeavors.
Resume Example for Positions in Consumer Services
You can use the following example as a template to write your own resume, personalizing it with your own information and keywords from the job description.
Jordan Ramirez
Customer Service Supervisor | Spanish–English
Nashville, TN | (615) 555-2147 | jordan.ramirez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jordanramirez
Summary
Customer service professional with 6+ years of experience in retail and hospitality environments. Known for improving customer satisfaction, streamlining service processes, and leading high-performing teams. Bilingual in English and Spanish with a strong ability to resolve customer concerns quickly while maintaining a positive brand experience. Proven record of increasing customer retention and exceeding service performance metrics.
Skills
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems | Customer complaint resolution | Team leadership | Retail operations | Point-of-sale systems | Time management | Multitasking | Service process improvement
Work Experience
Customer Service Supervisor
BrightMart Retail Group, Nashville, TN
March 2022 to Present
- Supervise a team of 12 customer service associates, providing coaching and performance feedback to maintain service standards.
- Increased customer satisfaction scores from 86% to 94% by implementing improved service response procedures.
- Resolved escalated customer concerns, reducing complaint resolution time by 35%.
- Coordinated staff schedules and training, improving shift coverage and reducing service delays during peak hours.
- Introduced a customer follow-up system that improved repeat customer visits by 18%.
- Analyzed service feedback reports and worked with management to improve store operations and customer experience.
Customer Service Representative
CityStyle Department Store, Nashville, TN
June 2019 to February 2022
- Assisted 70+ customers daily, providing product information and resolving service issues.
- Achieved top customer service rating in the department for three consecutive quarters.
- Helped increase loyalty program sign-ups by 22% through proactive customer engagement.
- Handled returns, exchanges, and billing inquiries while maintaining accurate transaction records.
- Provided bilingual support for Spanish-speaking customers, improving service accessibility and satisfaction.
- Collaborated with sales and inventory teams to resolve stock issues and fulfill customer requests.
Education
Associate Degree in Business Administration
Nashville State Community College
Nashville, TN | 2019
Certifications
- Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP)
- Customer Experience (CX) Foundations Certificate
- Conflict Resolution and Service Recovery Training
For extra help, use our resume builder, which has AI-powered suggestions and customizable templates to help make it easy for applicants in the U.S. to find a job in consumer services. You will have an ATS-optimized resume in no time.
FAQs
Some positions require a bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business, or a related field. Others may require a specific training or certification.
Still others may allow you to work your way up from an entry-level position without advanced schooling, providing needed training as you go along.
The average salary for all consumer services jobs in the United States is $25,000 per year. This includes entry-level roles. As noted earlier, many advanced and specialized positions in this field fall into the $50K to $200K range.
Yes! Because many roles rely on computer work or phone calls, they may be done remotely or from a home office. When searching for openings, many services allow you to filter by remote or hybrid roles.
The best entry-level role depends on your career goals. For example, if you’d like to enter a managerial role, you might start in the cleaning department of a hotel or the kitchen of a restaurant and work your way up.
If you desire the flexibility to care for your family from home, remote customer service might be a good choice for you.
If you’d like a job that involves travel, you might start as a travel agent or tour guide. As you progress, you may be able to travel to unique places in order to assist consumers in their travel choices.
Consumer service is a broad economic sector that includes diverse industries that provide services to individuals: healthcare, retail, hospitality, finance, and transportation, for example. It’s the entire industry that focuses on serving consumers.
Customer service is a specific function within a business. It is the support of customers before, during, and after the purchase of a product or service. Customer service is one small part of the consumer services industry.
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