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Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I in the United States is $43,230 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $52,419
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,820 to $48,040
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,805
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View as table View as graph 25% $38,820 10% $34,805 90% $52,419 75% $48,040 $43,230 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $48,040 $4,003 $924 $23
Average $43,230 $3,603 $831 $21
25th Percentile $38,820 $3,235 $747 $19
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Key Factors That Influence Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I Salaries

A Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist 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:

  • Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I (0-1 years): $43,222
  • Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist II (1-3 years): $49,720
  • Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist III (3-5 years): $57,122
  • Credit and Collections Operations Supervisor (5+ years): $74,130
  • Credit and Collections Operations Manager (5+ years): $110,486
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I0-1 years$43,222
Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist II1-3 years$49,720
Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist III3-5 years$57,122
Credit and Collections Operations Supervisor5+ years$74,130
Credit and Collections Operations Manager5+ years$110,486
$43,222 Credit/Pa...
$49,720 Credit/Pa...
$57,122 Credit/Pa...
$74,130 Credit an...
$110,486 Credit an...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist 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: $54,520
  • San Francisco: $53,980
  • Oakland: $52,790

What Skills Can Increase a Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.91% 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.
  • Microsoft Excel (Mentioned in 3.6% Job Postings): Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It features calculation or computation capabilities, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications.
  • Financial Statement Analysis (Mentioned in 1.44% Job Postings): Financial statement analysis evaluates a company's performance or value through a company's balance sheet, or statement of cash flows. It is used to analyze whether an entity is stable, solvent, liquid, or profitable enough to a monetary investment.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.91%
Microsoft Excel 3.6%
Financial Statement Analysis 1.44%
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 Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I's salary.
  • Leadership Development: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Financial Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Financial Statements: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership Development
$55,767
29%
Financial Analysis
$52,308
21%
Financial Statements
$48,418
12%
Talent Acquisition
$47,985
11%
Economics
$47,985
11%
Dispute Management
$47,985
11%
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Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist 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 March 01, 2026

Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist 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.

Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist II $49,720 15%
E-Billing Clerk $51,900 20%

Salary Trends for Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I

Salaries for a Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $38,104 in 2023 to around $38,521 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$38,104
2024
$38,600
2025
$38,521
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $38,104
2024 $38,600
2025 $38,521
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I

Here are companies hiring for Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist I

1. Do collection agents get commission?

Collection agents often earn a commission, typically ranging from 25% to 50% of the amount collected or the original invoice. The commission rate can vary based on factors like the age of the debt, type, balance, and account usage. In terms of salary, a Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist can expect to earn between $39,390 and $50,860 annually, with a midpoint of $44,740.

2. How much do debt specialists make?

Debt specialists typically earn between $39,390 and $50,860 annually, with a median salary of around $44,740. While some cities like San Francisco and Santa Clara offer significantly higher salaries, the general range for this role reflects the varying demand and cost of living across different regions.

3. Do you need a degree to be a collections specialist?

An aspiring Collections Specialist should have some background in finance, though a formal degree beyond a high school diploma is not necessary. Two to three years of previous experience with a collections agency or similar work is preferred. Basic computer proficiency is a must, especially with Microsoft Office tools. The salary for this role typically ranges from $39,390 to $50,860, with a midpoint of $44,740.

4. How much do collection specialists make in the US?

Collection Specialists in the US typically earn between $39,390 and $50,860 annually. The average salary is around $44,740, reflecting the midpoint of this range. These figures provide a clear overview of the earning potential in this role, highlighting both entry-level and experienced positions.

5. How much does someone in collections make?

A Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist typically earns between $39,390 and $50,860 annually, with a median salary of around $44,740. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and specific employer, with some cities offering competitive pay for these roles.

6. How much do collection specialists make in the US?

In the US, the salary for a Credit/Past Due Collections Specialist ranges from $39,390 to $50,860 per year. The average salary is approximately $44,740 annually. These figures reflect the typical earnings for this role, providing a clear picture of potential compensation 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.)

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