Hiring Telemarketers

What do telemarketers do?

• Contact businesses or private individuals by telephone to solicit sales for goods or services, or to request donations for charitable causes.
• Obtain customer information such as name, address, and payment method, and enter orders into computers.
• Explain products or services and prices, and answer questions from customers.
• Record names, addresses, purchases, and reactions of prospects contacted.
• Maintain records of contacts, accounts, and orders.
• Answer telephone calls from potential customers who have been solicited through advertisements.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 41-9041.00.

What does it take to become one?

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

O*NET Job Zone 2, SVP (4.0 to < 6.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Customer relationship management CRM software, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint for this role.

What do telemarketers get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for telemarketers in 60 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $21,990 to $49,700 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $36,160. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 41-9041.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for telemarketers in this build is $49,700. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $9,940 to $14,910 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a telemarketers search fill?

23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.