Research Summary. Following extensive research by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest data on collector salaries by state in the United States for 2026:
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Alaska continues to boast the highest collector salary at $41,088
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West Virginia remains the lowest, with a collector salary of $26,875
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The national average salary for collectors is $34,872
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The national hourly wage for collectors stands at $16.77
For further insights, you can explore our specific methodology.
Background
In 2026, salary remains the primary concern for job seekers across all demographics. Many individuals ask, “How much do collectors earn where I live?”
While various factors influence your personal salary expectations, reliable data exists for average collector salaries by state, segmented by experience level. These averages provide a useful benchmark, even if specific city salaries may vary from state averages.
After considering these factors, Alaska tops the list as the best-paying state for collectors.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for collector salaries:
Let’s delve deeper into the data and see a complete ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Collectors By State
| Rank | State | Average Collector Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $41,088 | $36,000 | $46,000 |
| 2 | California | $40,664 | $32,000 | $51,000 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $40,082 | $29,000 | $54,000 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $39,410 | $34,000 | $45,000 |
| 5 | Oregon | $37,725 | $30,000 | $46,000 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $37,631 | $28,000 | $50,000 |
| 7 | Washington | $37,517 | $30,000 | $46,000 |
| 8 | Colorado | $37,434 | $29,000 | $47,000 |
| 9 | Mississippi | $37,296 | $28,000 | $48,000 |
| 10 | Idaho | $36,883 | $29,000 | $45,000 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $36,453 | $29,000 | $45,000 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $36,357 | $27,000 | $47,000 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $36,128 | $28,000 | $46,000 |
| 14 | Illinois | $35,952 | $27,000 | $47,000 |
| 15 | Missouri | $35,856 | $27,000 | $46,000 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $35,543 | $27,000 | $45,000 |
| 17 | Michigan | $35,297 | $26,000 | $46,000 |
| 18 | Georgia | $35,193 | $26,000 | $46,000 |
| 19 | Wyoming | $35,143 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 20 | Arizona | $35,096 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 21 | Maryland | $35,003 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $34,860 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 23 | Utah | $34,767 | $27,000 | $43,000 |
| 24 | Nevada | $34,689 | $27,000 | $43,000 |
| 25 | Texas | $34,566 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $34,269 | $25,000 | $46,000 |
| 27 | Kansas | $34,066 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 28 | New Jersey | $34,012 | $24,000 | $46,000 |
| 29 | Vermont | $34,007 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 30 | New York | $33,682 | $24,000 | $46,000 |
| 31 | Indiana | $33,467 | $25,000 | $44,000 |
| 32 | Florida | $33,315 | $24,000 | $44,000 |
| 33 | Montana | $33,133 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 34 | Virginia | $33,093 | $24,000 | $44,000 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $32,398 | $25,000 | $41,000 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $32,374 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 37 | New Hampshire | $32,268 | $24,000 | $42,000 |
| 38 | Maine | $32,213 | $24,000 | $41,000 |
| 39 | Ohio | $32,207 | $24,000 | $42,000 |
| 40 | Alabama | $31,984 | $24,000 | $42,000 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $31,966 | $24,000 | $41,000 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $31,731 | $24,000 | $41,000 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $31,099 | $23,000 | $40,000 |
| 44 | Iowa | $30,964 | $23,000 | $40,000 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $30,257 | $22,000 | $40,000 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $29,860 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $29,326 | $22,000 | $38,000 |
| 48 | Delaware | $28,876 | $21,000 | $39,000 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $28,392 | $21,000 | $37,000 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $26,875 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
Methodology: Collector Salary By State
To gain a comprehensive understanding of collector salaries by state, Zippia aggregates data from multiple reputable sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data is then enriched with actual salaries from job postings. Our data science team computes a weighted average of these inputs to determine an accurate average pay for collectors across states.
We ranked all states based on the average annual salary data for collectors, with the state boasting the highest salary receiving the top rank.
Collector Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for collectors?
The highest-paid state for collectors is Alaska, offering an average salary of $41,088 per year.
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What city pays collectors the most?
Los Angeles, CA provides the highest average salary for collectors at $40,622 annually.
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What is the worst state for collectors?
The lowest-paying state for collectors is West Virginia, with an average salary of $26,875 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
