Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Collector I Salary in the United States

How much does a Collector I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Collector I in the United States is $39,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, a Collector I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44,276
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,700 to $42,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,240
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Collector I Salaries

A Collector I'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 Collector Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Collector I'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:

  • Collector I (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
Collector I0-1 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
View as Graph

How Do Collector I 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 Collector Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $43,700.
  • California: $43,500.
  • Massachusetts: $43,000.

Top Paying Cities for Collector Is

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: $49,800
  • San Francisco: $49,200
  • Oakland: $48,200

What Skills Can Increase a Collector I'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%
See More Skills

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 Collector I'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 $45,030
14%
Accounting $44,240
12%
Flexibility $43,845
11%
Get Latest Data

Collector I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Collector I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $44,143. While startup companies pay approximate $37,340.

Collector I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $37,340
Growth Stage 51~500 $39,491
Established 501~5000 $42,626
Enterprise 5000+ $44,143

Collector I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Collector I 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, Collector positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Collector I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Collector I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$51,350$25.030%
Pharmaceuticals$49,375$24.025%
Software & Networking$47,400$23.020%
Biotechnology$45,425$22.015%
Internet$45,425$22.015%

How Education impacts a Collector I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Collector Is 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 Collector I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $39,327 and $41,816).

Collector I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Collector I
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%
View as Graph

Collector I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Collector I'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
$35,700
Average $39,500/year
$42,000
$2,975
Average $3,292/month
$3,500
$687
Average $760/week
$808
$17
Average $19/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $42,000 $3,500 $808 $20
Average $39,500 $3,292 $760 $19
25th Percentile $35,700 $2,975 $687 $17

Collector I Salary Growth & Career Path

Collector I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Collector I, 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%

Most common benefits for Collector I

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

Common company salaries for Collector I

Here are companies hiring for Collector I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Collector I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Collector I 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 Collector I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Collector I?

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

2. How much salary will get a collector?

The salary for a Collector ranges from ?37,100 to ?46,500, with a mid-range salary of ?41,700. This reflects the typical earnings for this role, providing a competitive compensation package within the industry.

3. Is collections a stressful job?

Collections can indeed be a stressful job. A significant 45.65% of respondents reported it as extremely stressful, highlighting the tension and anxiety involved. However, the role offers a salary range from $37,100 to $46,500, which may help offset some of the stress associated with the job.

4. What does a collector do?

A District Collector is responsible for managing revenue matters on behalf of the government, overseeing the collection of land revenue, taxes, fees, and other dues. The salary for this role ranges from ?37,100 to ?46,500, with a midpoint of ?41,700, reflecting the importance and responsibilities associated with the position.

5. How much does TikTok pay in usa?

TikTok salaries in the USA for a Collector position range from $37,100 to $46,500 annually, with a midpoint of $41,700. This reflects the compensation structure for roles within the company, differing from creator earnings based on views.

6. Is a collection agency profitable?

Launching a debt collection agency can be a lucrative and rewarding business venture. With the right skills and strategies, you can earn a salary ranging from $37,100 to $46,500 annually. This business not only helps clients recover outstanding debts but also allows you to operate within ethical and legal practices.

7. How do collections get paid?

Collections get paid based on the success of recovering debts. Typically, a collection agency receives a percentage of the amount recovered, which can range from 25% to 50%. For challenging debts, agencies may negotiate settlements for less than the owed amount. Salaries for collectors range from $37,100 to $46,500, reflecting their expertise and success in the field.

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