### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bill and Account Collectors Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			bill and account collectors imageBill and account collectors try to recover payment on overdue bills.							
						Quick Facts:     Bill and Account Collectors2023     Median Pay
            						$44,250     per year
										$21.27     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    209,700Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -10% (Decline)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -20,100What Bill and Account Collectors Do
                                                
                        
                        
Bill and account collectors try to recover payment on overdue bills.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Many bill and account collectors work in a call center for a third-party collection agency rather than the original creditor. Most work full time, and some have flexible schedules.
            
                                                How to Become a Bill and Account Collector
                                                
                        
Collectors usually must have a high school diploma. A few months of on-the-job training is common.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for bill and account collectors was $44,250 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of bill and account collectors is projected to decline							 10 percent from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite declining  employment, about 19,200 openings for bill and account collectors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bill and account collectors.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bill and account collectors with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about bill and account collectors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Bill and Account Collectors Do 
            

			Bill and account collectorsCollectors look up a person’s information on a computer while speaking to them over the phone.			
Bill and account collectors try to recover payment on overdue bills. They negotiate repayment plans with debtors and help them find solutions to make paying their overdue bills easier.
Duties
Bill and account collectors typically do the following:
Find consumers and businesses who have overdue bills
Track down consumers who have an out-of-date address by using the Internet, post office, credit bureaus, or neighbors—a process called “skip tracing”
Inform debtors that they have an overdue bill and try to negotiate a payment
Explain the terms of sale or contract with the debtor, when necessary
Learn the reasons for the overdue bills, which can help with the negotiations
Offer credit advice or refer a consumer to a debt counselor, when appropriateBill and account collectors generally contact debtors by phone, although sometimes they do so by mail. They use computer systems to update contact information and record past collection attempts with a particular debtor. Keeping these records can help collectors with future negotiations.
The main job of bill and account collectors is finding a solution that is acceptable to the debtor and maximizes payment to the creditor. Listening to the debtor and paying attention to his or her concerns can help the collector negotiate a solution.
After the collector and debtor agree on a repayment plan, the collector regularly checks to ensure that the debtor pays on time. If the debtor does not pay, the collector submits a statement to the creditor, who can take legal action. In extreme cases, this legal action may include taking back goods or disconnecting service.
Collectors must follow federal and state laws that govern debt collection. These laws require that collectors make sure they are talking with the debtor before announcing that the purpose of the call is to collect a debt. A collector also must give a statement, called “mini-Miranda,” which informs the account holder that they are speaking with a bill or debt collector.
Collectors usually have goals they are expected to meet. Typically, these include calls per hour and success rates.
 Work Environment
			Bill and account collectors Most bill and account collectors work in call centers for third-party collection agencies.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Bill and account collectors held about 209,700 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of bill and account collectors were as follows:
        Business support services
                26%Credit intermediation and related activities
                19Healthcare and social assistance
                9Professional, scientific, and technical services
                8Management of companies and enterprises
                7Many collectors work in a call center for a third-party collection agency rather than the original creditor. In all industries, they spend most of their time on the phone tracking down or negotiating with debtors. They also use computers and databases to update information and record the results of their calls.
Collectors’ work can be stressful because some people become angry and confrontational when pressed about their debts. Collectors often face resistance while trying to do their job duties. Successful collectors must face regular rejection and still be ready to make the next call in a polite and positive voice. Fortunately, some consumers appreciate help in resolving their outstanding debts and can be quite grateful.
Work Schedules
Most bill and account collectors work full time. Some collectors work flexible schedules, often calling people on weekends or during the evenings as they learn the best times to call.
 How to Become a Bill and Account Collector

			Bill and account collectorsCollectors are trained on the job.			
Collectors usually must have a high school diploma. A few months of on-the-job training is common.
Education
Most bill and account collectors are required to have a high school diploma, although some employers prefer applicants who have taken some college courses. Communications, accounting, and basic computer courses are examples of classes that are helpful for entering this occupation.
Training
Collectors usually receive on-the-job training after being hired. Training includes learning how to use computer software, and instruction on federal debt-collection laws (in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) and state debt-collection regulations. Collectors also may be trained in negotiation techniques.
Important Qualities
***Listening skills.*** Collectors must pay attention to what debtors say when trying to negotiate a repayment plan. Learning the particular situation of the debtors and how they fell into debt can help collectors suggest solutions.
***Negotiating skills.*** The main aspects of a collector’s job are reconciling the differences between two parties (the debtor and the creditor) and offering a solution that is acceptable to both parties.
***Speaking skills.*** Collectors must be able to speak to debtors to explain their options and ensure that they fully understand what is being said.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Bill and Account CollectorsMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Financial clerks$45,790  Bill and account collectors$44,250Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for bill and account collectors was $44,250 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,960, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $62,360.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for bill and account collectors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Management of companies and enterprises
                $46,500Credit intermediation and related activities
                45,960Healthcare and social assistance
                45,750Professional, scientific, and technical services
                45,010Business support services
                37,230Most bill and account collectors work full time. Some collectors work flexible schedules, often calling people on weekends or during the evenings as they learn the best times to call.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Bill and Account CollectorsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Financial clerks-7%  Bill and account collectors-10%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of bill and account collectors is projected to decline				 10 percent from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite declining  employment, about 19,200 openings for bill and account collectors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Continued use of enhanced software and automated calling systems is expected to increase productivity and allow collectors to handle more accounts. This technology will allow more collections work to be done with fewer employees. However, the need to collect various types of debt, including student, credit card, and mortgage debt, should create some demand for bill and account collectors.
			

                        Employment projections data for     bill and account collectors, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Bill and account collectors**
			43-3011
			209,700
			189,600
			-10
			-20,100
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Bill and account collectors **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of bill and account collectors. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks**
            Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations and check financial records for accuracy.
            Some college, no degree
            $47,440**Customer Service Representatives**
            Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and answer questions.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $39,680**Financial Clerks**
            Financial clerks do administrative work, help customers, and carry out transactions that involve money.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $47,070**Information Clerks**
            Information clerks perform routine clerical duties, maintain records, collect data, and provide information to customers.
            See How to Become One
            $40,540**Loan Officers**
            Loan officers evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of loan applications.
            Bachelor's degree
            $69,990**Private Detectives and Investigators**
            Private detectives and investigators gather, analyze, and report information to clients regarding legal or personal matters.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $49,540
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about bill and account collectors, visit
ACA International, the Association of Credit and Collections Professionals

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Bill and Account Collectors
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bill and Account Collectors, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/bill-and-account-collectors.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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