Bill and Account Collectors

SOC: 43-3011 O*NET: 43-3011.00
Median Salary
$46,040
per year
Job Growth
📉 -10.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
13.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2

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.

What does a Bill and Account Collectors do?

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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$33,960
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,290
25th percentile
Median
$46,040
50th percentile
Experienced
$54,990
75th percentile
Top Earners
$65,830
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$33,960
25th
$38,290
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,040
Mean: $48,370
75th
$54,990
90th
$65,830
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $31,870 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $38,290 and $54,990
  • Salary spread is 36.3% around the median, showing moderate variation
  • Total national employment: 165,020 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:166,900

Top Industries

Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services30.6%
Administrative and Support Services30.2%
Business Support Services25.4%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:-10.5%
Annual Openings:13,700

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)166,900
Current
2034 (Projected)149,400
-10.5%
-17,500
Employment Change
-10.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Decline

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Bill and Account Collectors professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
20,800 jobs$44,2001.40x
California
15,100 jobs$57,0700.78x
Florida
13,350 jobs$44,8601.27x
New York
8,740 jobs$47,7100.86x
Ohio
8,660 jobs$44,4001.46x
Georgia
6,610 jobs$46,6001.27x
Arizona
6,360 jobs$45,9501.86x
Pennsylvania
6,290 jobs$45,1900.98x
North Carolina
5,300 jobs$45,7701.01x
Illinois
4,310 jobs$47,2200.66x
South Carolina
4,060 jobs$41,0401.67x
Missouri
3,820 jobs$45,5401.22x
Minnesota
3,800 jobs$48,1601.22x
Virginia
3,760 jobs$44,7100.86x
Tennessee
3,690 jobs$43,2901.05x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Employment decline projected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#4
Persuasion
80%
#5
Writing
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Negotiation
54%
#9
Service Orientation
46%
#10
Time Management
40%

Skills Overview

Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Persuasion
intermediate4.0
80%
Writing
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Negotiation
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Speaking

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Active Listening

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Persuasion

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Negotiation

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Service Orientation

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Time Management

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Insurance Sales Agents100%
5 shared skills
Advertising Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes82%
5 shared skills
Customer Service Representatives82%
5 shared skills
Fundraisers82%
5 shared skills
Home Health Aides82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Persuasion
Learn on the Job:
  • Negotiation
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Persuasion

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Writing

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Bill and Account Collectors

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Intuit QuickBooks

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Dynamics

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP software

🔥 Hot Tech

MEDITECH software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (1)
1

Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

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

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

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

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform
4

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

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

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.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

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

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Sort and file correspondence and perform miscellaneous clerical duties, such as answering correspondence and writing reports.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Operations & Execution79% perform
9

Perform various administrative functions for assigned accounts, such as recording address changes and purging the records of deceased customers.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform
10

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

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Bill and Account Collectors

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Bill and Account Collectors professionals typically have a CES Holland code and highly value relationships

CConventional
EEnterprising
SSocial

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Bill and Account Collectors

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.40

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.35

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.33

Independence

Very Important

Independence

Importance Level4.31

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.28

Analytical Thinking

Very Important

Analytical Thinking

Importance Level4.22

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.3
Independence
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Initiative
4.2
Self-Control
4.2
Persistence
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.1

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED

Preparation Level

Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Training:

Training of a few months to a year

💼 Experience Requirement

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
  • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
  • Industry certifications helpful
2

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful

Ready to Start Your Journey?

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