Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Bill and account collectors typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they receive training on the job. PayThe median annual wage for bill and account collectors was $47,030 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of bill and account collectors is projected to decline 10 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 11,200 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.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for bill and account collectors was $47,030 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of bill and account collectors is projected to decline 10 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 11,200 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.
Job Outlook
Employment of bill and account collectors is projected to decline 10 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 11,200 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 They 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 for the original creditor. Most work full time.
How to Become a Bill and Account Collector
Bill and account collectors typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they receive training on the job.
Pay
The median annual wage for bill and account collectors was $47,030 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of bill and account collectors is projected to decline 10 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 11,200 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.
Work Environment
Many bill and account collectors work in a call center for a third-party collection agency rather than for the original creditor. Most work full time.
How to Become a Bill and Account Collector
Bill and account collectors typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they receive training on the job.
Pay
The median annual wage for bill and account collectors was $47,030 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of bill and account collectors is projected to decline 10 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 11,200 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.
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.
More Information
Learn more about bill and account collectors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.