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Consumer Finance
Capital One, Wells Fargo, Synchrony
Bill and Account Collectors
Bill and account collectors contact people about overdue balances, explain what is owed, and try to work out a payment plan that fits the customer’s situation. The job is part customer service, part negotiation, and part recordkeeping, with a constant need to stay calm while pushing for payment within strict legal and company rules. The tradeoff is clear: the work can be repetitive and tense, and success depends on persuading people who often do not want the call.
Also known as Collections SpecialistDebt CollectorCredit and Collections RepresentativeCollections RepresentativeRecovery Specialist
Median Salary
$46,040
Mean $48,370
U.S. Workforce
~165K
13.7K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-10.5%
166.9K to 149.4K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Bill and Account Collectors sits in the Finance category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~165K workers, with a median annual pay of $46,040 and roughly 13.7K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 166.9 K in 2024 to 149.4K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Billing/Collections Assistant and can progress toward Collections Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Collections Software & Auto-Dialer Systems, CRM Platforms (Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics), and Microsoft Excel & Spreadsheet Tracking, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Speaking, and Persuasion.
Core Responsibilities
- Call or message people about overdue bills and ask why the account has not been paid.
- Explain account balances, charges, and payment terms in plain language.
- Set up repayment plans that match what the customer says they can afford.
- Track late accounts in collection software and keep notes, addresses, and payment history current.
Keep exploring: more Finance careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Call or message people about overdue bills and ask why the account has not been paid.
02 Explain account balances, charges, and payment terms in plain language.
03 Set up repayment plans that match what the customer says they can afford.
04 Track late accounts in collection software and keep notes, addresses, and payment history current.
05 Send follow-up notices and, when needed, pass unresolved accounts to credit staff, attorneys, or repossession teams.
06 Handle routine account cleanup, such as updating contact information and removing records for deceased customers.
Industries That Hire
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Healthcare Revenue Cycle
UnitedHealth Group, HCA Healthcare, Quest Diagnostics
📞
Telecommunications
AT&T, Verizon, Comcast
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Retail Credit and Store Cards
Amazon, Target, Macy's
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Third-Party Debt Collection
PRA Group, Encore Capital Group, Transworld Systems
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get started with a high school diploma, and BLS says no prior work experience is required.
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The median pay is $46,040 and the mean is $48,370, which is respectable for a job that does not usually need a degree.
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There are still about 13.7 thousand annual openings, so hiring continues even though the overall outlook is weak.
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The work builds transferable skills in negotiation, customer service, and recordkeeping that can move into billing, credit, or office roles.
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Because much of the job is phone- and computer-based, some employers offer remote or hybrid setups.
Challenges
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Employment is projected to fall 10.5% by 2034, a loss of about 17.5 thousand jobs, so the long-term outlook is shrinking.
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Simple reminder work is increasingly handled by payment portals and automated messages, which reduces demand for human collectors.
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The career ladder can be narrow unless you move into supervision, credit, or revenue-cycle work, so long-term advancement is limited.
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Many calls involve people who are upset, broke, or unwilling to pay, which makes the work emotionally draining and repetitive.
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The pay is modest for the pressure involved, and mistakes with debt rules, repossession, or shutdown notices can create compliance problems.
Career Progression
Billing/Collections Assistant
0-2 years
$30K-$38K
Handles routine account updates, basic reminders, and customer questions while learning the systems and rules.
Bill and Account Collector
2-5 years
$42K-$52K
Takes on live collection work, negotiates payment plans, and manages overdue accounts more independently.
Senior Collector THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$53K-$63K
Works tougher accounts, handles escalations, and may help newer collectors with difficult conversations.
Collections Supervisor
8+ years
$64K-$80K
Leads a team, reviews performance, and manages compliance, reporting, and the hardest accounts.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common entry point, held by 48.15% of workers in this role.
Some college coursework
A substantial share of workers, 27.37%, start with some college courses, often alongside customer service or office experience.
Bachelor's degree
About 21.12% of workers have a bachelor's degree, usually in business or a related field, but the job does not require one.
Moderate-term on-the-job training or collections certification
BLS says moderate-term on-the-job training is typical, and some employers add short training in debt collection rules, call handling, and billing systems.
Key Skills
Technical
Collections Software & Auto-Dialer Systems 78%
CRM Platforms (Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) 76%
Microsoft Excel & Spreadsheet Tracking 72%
Accounts Receivable, Billing & Payment Processing Systems 68%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningSpeakingPersuasionSocial PerceptivenessWritingCritical Thinking Job Outlook and Trends
+-10.5%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
13.7K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 166.9K to 149.4 K over the next decade, representing -10.5% growth. Around 13.7 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Moderate. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.