What Bill and Account Collectors do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Bill and Account Collectors this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts"; "Locate and monitor overdue accounts, using computers and a variety of automated systems"; "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"; "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".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Bill and Account Collectors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 160,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 143,400 in 2035, a decrease of 16,800 jobs (-10.4%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 11,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $47,030, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Bill and Account Collectors earn the most
Published data currently covers Texas, where the employment-weighted average of local median wages is $45,571. More states are added as pages are published.
Occupations related to Bill and Account Collectors
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-3000) include Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks, Billing and Posting Clerks and Tellers.
Frequently asked questions about Bill and Account Collectors
What is the national median wage for Bill and Account Collectors?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $47,030.
What is the job outlook for Bill and Account Collectors?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 10.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 11,200 openings a year.
What education do Bill and Account Collectors need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.