Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

SOC: 13-2081 O*NET: 13-2081.00
Median Salary
$62,370
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

What does a Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents do?

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$42,000
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,450
25th percentile
Median
$62,370
50th percentile
Experienced
$83,390
75th percentile
Top Earners
$114,550
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$42,000
25th
$49,450
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$62,370
Mean: $70,520
75th
$83,390
90th
$114,550
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $72,550 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $49,450 and $83,390
  • Salary spread is 54.4% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 56,610 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:57,600

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:-1.8%
Annual Openings:4,300

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)57,600
Current
2034 (Projected)56,500
-1.8%
-1,000
Employment Change
-1.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: More slowly than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
8,610 jobs$74,1101.30x
Texas
3,980 jobs$58,2000.78x
Florida
3,950 jobs$46,7601.09x
New York
3,550 jobs$72,6101.01x
Pennsylvania
3,540 jobs$56,8701.60x
Utah
3,470 jobs$49,9405.49x
Missouri
2,280 jobs$50,2502.13x
Georgia
1,970 jobs$55,4301.11x
Tennessee
1,850 jobs$51,6301.55x
Virginia
1,800 jobs$59,6101.20x
New Jersey
1,430 jobs$96,4200.91x
Illinois
1,350 jobs$80,7200.61x
North Carolina
1,300 jobs$61,9500.72x
Alabama
1,300 jobs$58,1001.69x
Kentucky
1,290 jobs$57,2401.78x

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 2025

Key Growth Factors

  • Employment decline projected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
100%
#3
Written Comprehension
100%
#4
Active Listening
94%
#5
Information Ordering
92%
#6
English Language
90%
#7
Speaking
86%
#8
Inductive Reasoning
82%
#9
Mathematics
80%
#10
Critical Thinking
80%

Skills Overview

Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Written Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Information Ordering
advanced4.6
92%
English Language
advanced4.5
90%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Inductive Reasoning
intermediate4.1
82%

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:

Customer and Personal Service

advanced
Importance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0

Reading Comprehension

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Written Comprehension

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Active Listening

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Information Ordering

advanced
Importance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0

English Language

advanced
Importance90%
knowledge
4.5/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Inductive Reasoning

intermediate
Importance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0

Mathematics

intermediate
Importance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Oral Comprehension

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

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

Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Environmental Economists82%
5 shared skills
Mechanical Drafters82%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors67%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers67%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary67%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
Learn on the Job:
  • Mathematics
  • Writing
  • Law and Government

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Mathematics

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Mathematics

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 Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

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

Intuit QuickBooks

🔥 Hot Tech

Alteryx software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Power BI

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP 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
Alteryx software
Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
SAP 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
FREQUENT

💡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

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Analysis & Evaluation (4)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (2)
1

Collect taxes from individuals or businesses according to prescribed laws and regulations.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Maintain knowledge of tax code changes, and of accounting procedures and theory to properly evaluate financial information.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform
3

Maintain records for each case, including contacts, telephone numbers, and actions taken.

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

Confer with taxpayers or their representatives to discuss the issues, laws, and regulations involved in returns, and to resolve problems with returns.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Contact taxpayers by mail or telephone to address discrepancies and to request supporting documentation.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Send notices to taxpayers when accounts are delinquent.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Notify taxpayers of any overpayment or underpayment, and either issue a refund or request further payment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Review filed tax returns to determine whether claimed tax credits and deductions are allowed by law.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Review selected tax returns to determine the nature and extent of audits to be performed on them.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Operations & Execution76% perform
10

Enter tax return information into computers for processing.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% 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 Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

💡 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?

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents professionals typically have a CES Holland code and highly value achievement

CConventional
EEnterprising
SSocial

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.66

Attention to Detail

Critical

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.64

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.54

Self-Control

Very Important

Self-Control

Importance Level4.42

Independence

Very Important

Independence

Importance Level4.38

Stress Tolerance

Very Important

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.32

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Self-Control
4.4
Independence
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Initiative
4.0
Concern for Others
3.9

💡 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

Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies

Preparation Level

Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Training:

Training of more than one year

💼 Experience Requirement

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Associate degree programs
  • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
  • Vocational training with related experience
3

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Explore educational programs that can help you become a Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents.

Browse Training Programs →
0 of 3
+ Add school+ Add school+ Add school
Compare Now