What is a returns specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

Returns specialists focus on the aspect of customer care that deals with returned items. They process refunds in a timely manner and take care of replacing damaged or faulty products. They work under the supervision of the customer care manager and are responsible for providing excellent service to each client.

Working in this position, your job on a day-to-day will be to process returns and create a detailed log of your transactions with customers. Following good manufacturing practice guidelines will be essential, promptly following up with correspondence. You might be tasked with data entry and filing forms, or performing tasks to support customer service as demanded.

Having excellent customer service and communication skills will outweigh formal education here. Experience in sales or any area where you deal with clients will be welcome. You will be working as a member of a team, so the ability to work with others will be essential. People working in this position generally make around $16.1 an hour, adding up to $33,483 a year on average.

ScoreReturns SpecialistUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $33,064

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.9

Growth Rate -4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.65%

Asian 7.03%

Black or African American 10.57%

Hispanic or Latino 18.87%

Unknown 5.08%

White 57.79%

Gender

female 55.76%

male 44.24%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress Level
5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.6

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.5

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

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Returns Specialist career paths

Key steps to become a returns specialist

  1. Explore returns specialist education requirements

    Most common returns specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    36.4 %

    High School Diploma

    26.4 %

    Associate

    24.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific returns specialist skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Data Entry19.34%
    Customer Service11.67%
    RMA10.60%
    Return Authorizations5.76%
    RF4.45%
  3. Complete relevant returns specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New returns specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a returns specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real returns specialist resumes.
  4. Research returns specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage documents for staff collaboration and training in SharePoint.
    • Apply quality assurance/control, project management, and leadership expertise to ensure assign manufacturing technicians comply with FDA and ISO guidelines.
    • Recognize opportunities to up-sell and often take the opportunity to do so to create a better Marriott experience and event.
  5. Prepare your returns specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your returns specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a returns specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Returns Specialist Resume templates

    Build a professional Returns Specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Returns Specialist resume.
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    Returns Specialist Resume
    Returns Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for returns specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a returns specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Returns Specialist Job

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Average returns specialist salary

The average Returns Specialist salary in the United States is $33,064 per year or $16 per hour. Returns specialist salaries range between $25,000 and $42,000 per year.

Average Returns Specialist Salary
$33,064 Yearly
$15.90 hourly

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Returns Specialist reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2024
Cons

very low salary, no career growth, very stressful and not rewarding


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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