Bill and Account Collectors

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visit to solicit payment. Duties include receiving payment and posting amount to customer's account, preparing statements to credit department if customer fails to respond, initiating repossession proceedings or service disconnection, and keeping records of collection and status of accounts.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $47,030/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$34,400$65,580

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -10.5% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.

About 13,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

SpeakingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessPersuasionWritingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionNegotiationMonitoringService Orientation

Top knowledge areas

English LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsEconomics and AccountingLaw and GovernmentComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativeAdministration and Management

Core tasks

• Record information about financial status of customers and status of collection efforts.

• Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visits to solicit payment.

• Locate and monitor overdue accounts, using computers and a variety of automated systems.

• Arrange for debt repayment or establish repayment schedules, based on customers' financial situations.

• Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.

• Answer customer questions regarding problems with their accounts.

• Persuade customers to pay amounts due on credit accounts, damage claims, or nonpayable checks, or to return merchandise.

• Confer with customers by telephone or in person to determine reasons for overdue payments and to review the terms of sales, service, or credit contracts.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Bill and Account Collectors?

The median pay for Bill and Account Collectors is $47,030 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Bill and Account Collectors?

Employment for Bill and Account Collectors is projected to change -10.5% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Bill and Account Collectors?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Bill and Account Collectors?

About 13,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.