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Collections Representative III Salary in the United States

How much does a Collections Representative III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Collections Representative III in the United States is $48,626 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,036
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,362 to $53,028
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,569

Key Factors That Influence Collections Representative III Salaries

A Collections Representative III'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 Representative III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Collections Representative III'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 Representative I (0-1 years): $39,436
  • Collections Representative II (1-3 years): $43,940
  • Collections Representative III (3-5 years): $48,626
  • Collections Supervisor (5+ years): $67,664
  • VP of Collections (5+ years): $236,634
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Collections Representative I0-1 years$39,436
Collections Representative II1-3 years$43,940
Collections Representative III3-5 years$48,626
Collections Supervisor5+ years$67,664
VP of Collections5+ years$236,634

How Do Collections Representative IIIs 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 Representative IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $53,839.
  • California: $53,634.
  • Massachusetts: $52,920.

Top Paying Cities for Collections Representative III

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: $61,332
  • San Francisco: $60,660
  • Oakland: $59,382

What Skills Can Increase a Collections Representative III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 18.31% 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 Office (Mentioned in 3.71% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Bankruptcy (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): Bankruptcy helps people who can no longer pay their debts get a fresh start by liquidating assets to pay their debts or by creating a repayment plan.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 18.31%
Microsoft Office 3.71%
Bankruptcy 1.5%

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 Representative III's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Empathy: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $55,434
14%
Flexibility $53,489
10%
Empathy $53,002
9%

Collections Representative III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Collections Representative III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $54,434. While startup companies pay approximate $46,050.

Collections Representative III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $46,050
Growth Stage 51~500 $48,703
Established 501~5000 $52,566
Enterprise 5000+ $54,434

Collections Representative III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Collections Representative III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 39% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 17% above the average. In contrast, Collections Representative positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Collections Representative III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Collections Representative III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$56,892$27.017%
Software & Networking$55,920$27.015%
Pharmaceuticals$54,947$26.013%
Financial Services$54,461$26.012%
Internet$53,489$26.010%

How Education impacts an Collections Representative III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Collections Representative III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Collections Representative III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $49,948 and $53,130.

Collections Representative III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Collections Representative III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.8%
High School 31.3%
Associates 21.9%
Bachelors 35.9%
Masters 3.1%
Doctorate 0.0%

Collections Representative III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Collections Representative III'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 August 01, 2026
$43,362
Average $48,626/year
$53,028
$3,614
Average $4,052/month
$4,419
$834
Average $935/week
$1,020
$21
Average $23/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,028 $4,419 $1,020 $25
Average $48,626 $4,052 $935 $23
25th Percentile $43,362 $3,614 $834 $21

Collections Representative III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Collections Representative III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Collections Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $67,664 - a projected growth of 39% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Collections Representative III

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

Common company salaries for Collections Representative III

Here are companies hiring for Collections Representative III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Collections Representative III

1. Where can a Collections Representative III earn the most?

A Collections Representative III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Collections Representative III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Collections Representative III is $61,332.

2. What is the highest pay for Collections Representative III?

The highest pay for Collections Representative III is $57,036.

3. What is the lowest pay for Collections Representative III?

The lowest pay for Collections Representative III is $38,569.

4. What are the responsibilities of Collections Representative III?

Responsible for initiating calls to complex and difficult delinquent customers by phone, mail or personal visit to collect payments and settle accounts. Follows-up on delinquent accounts, updates and maintains accurate financial records including accounting, receivable, and credit records. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Collections Representative III?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Collections Representative III roles, with salaries approximately 17% above the market median.

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.

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