upper level job

Collections Specialist, Entry Salary in the United States

How much does a Collections Specialist, Entry make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Collections Specialist, Entry in the United States is $39,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, a Collections Specialist, Entry's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44,266
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,690 to $41,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,230

Key Factors That Influence Collections Specialist, Entry Salaries

A Collections Specialist, Entry's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Collections Specialist, Entry Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Collections Specialist, Entry's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Collections Specialist, Entry (0-1 years): $39,432
  • Collector II (1-3 years): $43,939
  • Collector III (3-5 years): $48,626
  • Collections Specialist Supervisor (5+ years): $67,668
  • Vice President of Collections (5+ years): $236,652
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Collections Specialist, Entry0-1 years$39,432
Collector II1-3 years$43,939
Collector III3-5 years$48,626
Collections Specialist Supervisor5+ years$67,668
Vice President of Collections5+ years$236,652

How Do Collections Specialist, Entry Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Collections Specialist, Entries. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $43,690.
  • California: $43,490.
  • Massachusetts: $42,990.

Top Paying Cities for Collections Specialist, Entries

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $49,790
  • San Francisco: $49,190
  • Oakland: $48,190

What Skills Can Increase a Collections Specialist, Entry's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 17.84% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Credit Card (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): A credit card is a type of credit facility, provided by banks that allow customers to borrow funds within a pre-approved credit limit.
  • HIPAA (Mentioned in 1.1% Job Postings): The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 17.84%
Credit Card 2.74%
HIPAA 1.1%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Collections Specialist, Entry's salary.

  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Time Management $45,019
14%
Accounting $44,229
12%
Flexibility $43,834
11%

Collections Specialist, Entry Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Collections Specialist, Entry salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $44,132. While startup companies pay approximate $37,331.

Collections Specialist, Entry Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $37,331
Growth Stage 51~500 $39,481
Established 501~5000 $42,615
Enterprise 5000+ $44,132

Collections Specialist, Entry Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Collections Specialist, Entry roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Collections Specialist, Entry positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Collections Specialist, Entry as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Collections Specialist, Entry

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$51,337$25.030%
Pharmaceuticals$49,362$24.025%
Software & Networking$47,388$23.020%
Biotechnology$45,414$22.015%
Internet$45,414$22.015%

How Education impacts a Collections Specialist, Entry's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Collections Specialist, Entries enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Collections Specialist, Entry with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $39,317 and $41,806).

Collections Specialist, Entry Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Collections Specialist, Entry
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.6%
High School 42.1%
Associates 25.0%
Bachelors 23.7%
Masters 6.6%
Doctorate 0.0%

Collections Specialist, Entry Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Collections Specialist, Entry's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$35,690
Average $39,490/year
$41,990
$2,974
Average $3,291/month
$3,499
$686
Average $759/week
$808
$17
Average $19/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $41,990 $3,499 $808 $20
Average $39,490 $3,291 $759 $19
25th Percentile $35,690 $2,974 $686 $17

Collections Specialist, Entry Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Collections Specialist, Entry, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Collections Specialist, Entry Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Collections Representative - Healthcare $44,000 11%
Collector II $44,000 11%

Most common benefits for Collections Specialist, Entry

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Collections Specialist, Entry

Here are companies hiring for Collections Specialist, Entry and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Collections Specialist, Entry Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Collections Specialist, Entry job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Collections Specialist, Entry

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Collections Specialist, Entry?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Collections Specialist, Entry roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. How much do collection support associates make?

The salary for a Collections Specialist, Entry level, ranges from a minimum of ?37,090 to a maximum of ?46,490 annually, with a mid-range salary of ?41,690. This indicates that entry-level positions in this field offer competitive compensation.

3. Is collections a good career?

Collections can be a rewarding career with significant growth potential. Entry-level Collections Specialists earn between $37,090 and $46,490, with a median salary of $41,690. With experience and a strong performance, you can advance to supervisory or managerial positions, leading teams and increasing your earnings further.

4. Why is entry-level pay so low?

Entry-level pay for positions like Collections Specialist is often lower due to the minimal experience required. For this role, salaries range from $37,090 to $46,490, with a midpoint of $41,690. Factors such as industry demand and cost of living also play a significant role in determining these wages, especially for roles with fewer technical requirements.

5. What is a collection specialist?

A Collections Specialist, or Collection Clerk, is responsible for collecting payments on overdue accounts and bad cheques, as well as contacting debtors to arrange collections. Their duties include tracing debtors, notifying them of overdue payments, and compiling collection reports. The salary for this role typically ranges from $37,090 to $46,490, with a midpoint of $41,690.

6. How much do unskilled jobs pay in USA?

Unskilled jobs in the USA typically pay between $37,090 and $46,490 annually. The average salary for these positions is around $41,690, translating to a monthly pay of approximately $3,474. This range reflects the earnings of entry-level roles, with top earners making closer to the maximum salary.

7. How much do collection agents make in the US?

Collection Specialists in the US typically earn between $37,090 and $46,490 annually. The average salary is around $41,690, reflecting the midpoint of this range. These figures provide a clear overview of the expected earnings for this role in the industry.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst