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:
Collections Specialist, Entry Salaries by Percentile
| 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 |
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 17.84% |
| Credit Card | 2.74% |
| HIPAA | 1.1% |
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.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Time Management | $45,019 | |
| Accounting | $44,229 | |
| Flexibility | $43,834 |
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.
| 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 |
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).
| 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% |
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.
| 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 |
Next Role
Advancement
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.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Collections Representative - Healthcare | $44,000 | 11% |
| Collector II | $44,000 | 11% |
Salaries for a Collections Specialist, Entry can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $38,162 in 2023 to around $37,957 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Collections Specialist, Entry salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $38,162 |
| 2024 | $38,316 |
| 2025 | $37,957 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Collections Specialist, Entry roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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