Debt collector
Also known as: payment collector, third-party collector, field debt collector, collections associate, debt recovery agent, assistant debt collector
About this occupation
Debt collectors compile debt owned to the organisation or third parties, mostly in cases when the debt is past its due date.
Essential skills and knowledge
- perform debt investigation
- pose questions referring to documents
- have computer literacy
- communicate with customers
- debt collection techniques
- handle conflicts
- credit control processes
- create solutions to problems
- calculate debt costs
- enforce customer's debt repayment
- maintain client debt records
- debt classification
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents (O*NET 13-2081.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Send notices to taxpayers when accounts are delinquent.
- Confer with taxpayers or their representatives to discuss the issues, laws, and regulations involved in returns, and to resolve problems with returns.
- Notify taxpayers of any overpayment or underpayment, and either issue a refund or request further payment.
- Maintain records for each case, including contacts, telephone numbers, and actions taken.
- Contact taxpayers by mail or telephone to address discrepancies and to request supporting documentation.
- Answer questions from taxpayers and assist them in completing tax forms.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Enterprising, Social
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Writing, Mathematics
US median pay: US$62,370 a year (2025), 56,610 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.9)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (3.7)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.5)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Tax Preparers
- Accountants and Auditors
- Bill and Account Collectors
- Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
- Billing and Posting Clerks
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
- Financial Examiners
- Budget Analysts
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.