Telemarketers
Solicit donations or orders for goods or services over the telephone.
Also called: Call Agent, Call Center Agent, Call Center Operator, Call Center Representative (Call Center Rep), Call Center Sales Agent, Call Center Telemarketer
Median pay
$35,450
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$27,040 – $50,350
People employed
58,430
Holland code
ECS
Enterprising · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 5.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 6.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 7.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 8.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Telemarketers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (41 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What telemarketers do
- 01Contact businesses or private individuals by telephone to solicit sales for goods or services, or to request donations for charitable causes.
- 02Obtain customer information such as name, address, and payment method, and enter orders into computers.
- 03Explain products or services and prices, and answer questions from customers.
- 04Record names, addresses, purchases, and reactions of prospects contacted.
- 05Maintain records of contacts, accounts, and orders.
- 06Adjust sales scripts to better target the needs and interests of specific individuals.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Social Orientation
- Perseverance
- Optimism
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from telemarketers
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel91% · +97%
- Customer Service Representatives87% · +26%
- Retail Salespersons86% · 0%
- Advertising Sales Agents84% · +83%
- Counter and Rental Clerks82% · +17%
Change into telemarketers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Retail Salespersons86% · $35,410
- Customer Service Representatives81% · $44,770
- Counter and Rental Clerks77% · $41,300
- Receptionists and Information Clerks76% · $38,010
- Concierges75% · $38,950