Bill and Account Collectors
Bill and account collectors contact customers with overdue payments through phone calls, letters, and visits to request payment. They work for collection agencies, credit departments, or businesses trying to recover unpaid debts. The job involves posting payments to accounts, preparing reports, and sometimes arranging repossession or service disconnection.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against bill and account collectors and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves making multiple phone calls to customers about past-due accounts, documenting payment responses, and recording received payments in customer records. Collectors may send written notices, review account histories to determine appropriate contact strategies, and prepare reports for supervisors. Some positions require occasional in-person visits to customer locations or following up on accounts that have not responded to previous collection attempts.
Who this work suits
Holland code CES. Conventional work is organized, detail-oriented work with clear procedures. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You tend to do well in this work if you're organized and detail-oriented with strong communication skills. You likely enjoy working within established rules and procedures, and you're comfortable with direct, businesslike interactions focused on concrete outcomes like collecting payments.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $58,160 | $62,230 | $84,990 | 240 |
| Alaska | $48,630 | $60,810 | $63,450 | 310 |
| Massachusetts | $50,780 | $59,800 | $63,720 | 2,510 |
| California | $47,130 | $57,930 | $69,840 | 13,880 |
| Connecticut | $48,010 | $57,930 | $64,840 | 900 |
| Vermont | $50,510 | $57,630 | $61,980 | 80 |
| Hawaii | $47,910 | $53,570 | $61,630 | 180 |
| New Jersey | $45,210 | $52,510 | $62,130 | 3,310 |
| Rhode Island | $47,180 | $52,000 | $59,630 | 370 |
| Oregon | $47,220 | $50,880 | $59,480 | 830 |
| Colorado | $42,630 | $50,090 | $60,620 | 1,670 |
| Maryland | $46,180 | $50,010 | $61,500 | 2,090 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Professional Biller (CPB) — American Academy of Professional Coders
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
and 1 more
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against bill and account collectors and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 43-3011.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.