Customer Experience Specialists on Upwork cost $15–$60/hr.

Learn about common cost factors to budget your hiring on the world's work marketplace.
Customer Experience Specialists average prices bell curve

$15 $60

Median hourly rates (USD)*

Customer Experience Specialist Pay Guide

How much do customer experience specialists make?

Customer experience specialists in the United States typically earn between $23,500 and $99,000 annually, depending on experience and industry. Their role focuses on ensuring customers have positive interactions with a company, identifying pain points, and helping to improve overall satisfaction. Rates for customer experience specialists vary based on expertise, responsibilities, and whether they work full-time or as freelancers.

Annual salary

The annual salaries for customer experience specialists are typically within these ranges:
  • Beginner: $23K to $32K per year
  • Intermediate: $32K to $59K per year
  • Advanced: $60K to $99K+ per year

Hourly pay

Hourly rates for customer experience specialists generally fall within the following ranges:
  • Beginner: $15 to $25 per hour
  • Intermediate: $25 to $40 per hour
  • Advanced: $40 to $60+ per hour

Customer experience rate factors

The rates for customer experience specialists can vary based on several factors:
  • Experience level. Specialists with more experience often have a deeper understanding of customer needs and how to address them, which allows them to command higher rates.
  • Industry expertise. Some industries, like technology or healthcare, may require specific knowledge, which can influence rates.
  • Scope of responsibilities. Specialists handling more complex customer interactions or working across multiple channels may charge more for their services.
  • Location. Geographic location and the cost of living in different areas can affect rates, especially for full-time employees.
  • Freelance vs. full-time. Freelancers typically set higher hourly rates than full-time employees due to the lack of benefits and additional costs they must cover.

Example customer experience roles

Customer experience specialists can take on a variety of roles depending on their expertise and focus areas. Here are five common examples:
  • Customer success specialist. Focuses on helping customers achieve their goals with a product or service, ensuring long-term satisfaction.
  • Support center specialist. Manages inbound customer inquiries, resolves issues, and provides support across multiple communication channels.
  • Customer journey analyst. Analyzes customer interactions across touchpoints, identifying areas for improvement and optimizing the customer experience.
  • Client relations manager. Develops and maintains strong relationships with clients, addressing their needs and ensuring a positive experience.
  • Customer feedback coordinator. Gathers and analyzes customer feedback through surveys and reviews, turning insights into actionable improvements.

Comparing full-time vs. freelance customer experience specialists

Customer experience specialists can work as full-time employees or as freelancers. Each option has distinct benefits and considerations.

Full-time customer experience specialists

Here are seven considerations when hiring or working as a full-time customer experience specialist:
  • Stable salary. Full-time roles provide consistent pay.
  • Employee benefits. Health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave are common.
  • Team collaboration. Full-time specialists often work closely with other departments, such as marketing or sales, to align strategies.
  • Workload consistency. Tasks and responsibilities are more predictable, allowing for focused improvement.
  • Long-term projects. Full-time employees typically take ownership of long-term projects, which helps build expertise in a company’s systems.
  • Career growth opportunities. Many companies offer advancement opportunities and professional development for full-time employees.
  • Limited flexibility. Fixed schedules and less control over work location can limit personal freedom.

Freelance customer experience specialists

Freelance customer experience specialists offer flexibility and autonomy, but there are unique factors to consider:
  • Flexible schedule. Freelancers can set their own hours and choose the projects they take on.
  • Remote work options. Freelancers often have the flexibility to work from any location, which can broaden their client base.
  • Income variability. Freelancers' income may fluctuate depending on client demand and project availability.
  • Self-promotion needed. Freelancers must market themselves to secure new clients and maintain a steady stream of work.
  • No employee benefits. Freelancers are responsible for covering their own health insurance, retirement plans, and taxes.
  • Project diversity. Freelancers can work with multiple clients, gaining experience in different industries and customer bases.
  • Contract-based work. Freelancers often work on short-term contracts, offering flexibility but less job security.

Cost-effectiveness of hiring freelancers

Hiring freelance customer experience specialists can be a cost-effective solution for businesses. Here are five compelling reasons to consider:
  • Flexible pricing. Freelancers offer on-demand services, meaning you only pay for the work you need.
  • Specialized expertise. Freelancers often have niche expertise that fits specific business needs.
  • Scalability. Freelancers can handle workloads of any size, making it easy to scale up or down as needed.
  • No overhead costs. Businesses don't need to provide office space or additional resources when working with freelancers.
  • Global talent access. Freelancers from different regions bring unique insights and experience, broadening the potential talent pool.
Hiring freelance customer experience specialists provides businesses with an adaptable and cost-effective solution for improving customer interactions without committing to long-term contracts.

FAQ

Here are some common questions about customer experience specialists in the Upwork context:

What is the role of a customer experience specialist?

A customer experience specialist ensures customers have positive interactions with a company. They help address concerns, gather feedback, and identify areas where the customer journey can be improved.

How do customer experience specialists improve customer satisfaction?

They analyze customer feedback, monitor interactions across channels, and collaborate with teams to improve touchpoints in the customer journey, leading to higher satisfaction rates.

Can customer experience specialists work remotely?

Yes, many customer experience specialists work remotely, especially in freelance roles, where they provide services to clients worldwide.

What skills should I look for when hiring a customer experience specialist?

Look for strong communication skills, experience in customer service or support roles, the ability to analyze data and feedback, and an understanding of your industry’s customer base.

How can a customer experience specialist help my business grow?

By improving customer satisfaction and loyalty, a customer experience specialist can enhance brand reputation, increase customer retention, and drive business growth through positive customer interactions.

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