Collections Specialist Salary in 2026
Contact debtors to arrange payment of overdue accounts and negotiate settlements.
Median Salary
$47,030
$3,919/mo
Entry Level
$35,800
starting pay
Senior Level
$61,600
experienced
Job Growth
+1%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Bill and Account Collectors (SOC 43-3011) at a national median of $47,030 per year (mean $49,060), or $22.61 per hour, with 158,830 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Collections Specialist Overview
Contact debtors to arrange payment of overdue accounts and negotiate settlements.
Education
High School/Associate's
Experience
0-1 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
159K
5-Year Growth
+6%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$22.61/hr
Monthly Pay
$3,919
Collections Specialist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Collections Specialist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Collections Specialist Salary
$53,000
$4,417/month · $2,038/biweekly · $25.48/hr
Collections Specialist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Collections Specialist field.
Entry-level Collections Specialists earn around $35,800, while the top 10% earn $67,200 or more.
Top Paying States for Collections Specialists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $55,000 | +$7,970 |
| New York | $54,000 | +$6,970 |
| Illinois | $49,000 | +$1,970 |
| Texas | $46,000 | $-1,030 |
| Florida | $46,000 | $-1,030 |
Top Paying Cities for Collections Specialists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $55,000 | +$7,970 |
| Los Angeles | $53,000 | +$5,970 |
| Chicago | $49,000 | +$1,970 |
| Miami | $48,000 | +$970 |
| Houston | $47,000 | $-30 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Collections Specialist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Collections Specialist from entry level to expert.
$35,800
0-2 years
$49,000
3-7 years
$61,600
8-14 years
$72,800
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Collections Specialist Salary FAQ
How much does a Collections Specialist make in 2026?
The median salary for a Collections Specialist in the United States is $47,030 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Bill and Account Collectors (SOC 43-3011); the mean is $49,060. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $35,800, senior professionals around $61,600, and top earners at $72,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Collections Specialist?
A Collections Specialist typically requires a High School/Associate's with 0-1 years of experience. Key skills include Negotiation, Skip Tracing, FDCPA Compliance. Relevant certifications such as None required can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Collections Specialists?
The job market for Collections Specialists is projected to grow by 1% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 159K Collections Specialist positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 6%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Collections Specialists the most?
The highest-paying states for Collections Specialists include California, Texas, Florida. In California, the median salary is approximately $55,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Collections Specialist salary?
To increase your Collections Specialist salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Negotiation and Skip Tracing. Pursue certifications such as None required. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 0-1 years of experience, you can progress from $35,800 to $61,600 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Collections Specialist Salary
How we calculate Collections Specialist salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Bill and Account Collectors (SOC 43-3011), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $47,030, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Bill and Account Collectors; BLS mean $49,060; BLS hourly median $22.61.
- Entry-level ($35,800) and senior-level ($61,600) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +1% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 158,830 Bill and Account Collectors jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 6% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: High School/Associate's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $47,030; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Collections Specialist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Collections Specialist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Collections Specialist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Negotiation, Skip Tracing, FDCPA Compliance), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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