Research Summary. After extensive research by the Zippia data science team, we identified these details of collections specialist salary by state for the United States in 2026:
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Connecticut has the highest collections specialist salary of $45,913
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West Virginia has the lowest collections specialist salary of $27,619
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The national average salary for collections specialists is $35,164
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The national hourly pay for collections specialists is $16.91
You can read more on the specific methodology.
Background
In 2026, salary remains a critical factor for job seekers, and understanding how much collections specialists earn in your region can guide your career decisions. The demand for collections specialists continues to grow, particularly in sectors adapting to new economic realities and digital technologies.
While the average salary varies by location, it is important to consider that factors such as remote work options and industry shifts can influence earnings. Therefore, these averages provide a snapshot of what you might expect in your area.
Connecticut holds the top spot for collections specialist salaries, reflecting its higher cost of living and competitive job market.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the top ten states for collections specialist salaries:
Let’s take a look at how we got here and a full ranking of all the states.
Highest-Paid Collections Specialists By State
| Rank | State | Average Collections Specialist Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $45,913 | $31,000 | $67,000 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $45,161 | $30,000 | $66,000 |
| 3 | California | $42,390 | $32,000 | $55,000 |
| 4 | Alaska | $42,001 | $34,000 | $51,000 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $41,972 | $28,000 | $61,000 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $41,412 | $34,000 | $49,000 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $40,448 | $27,000 | $59,000 |
| 8 | Washington | $39,448 | $30,000 | $51,000 |
| 9 | Oregon | $38,907 | $29,000 | $50,000 |
| 10 | Vermont | $38,783 | $26,000 | $56,000 |
| 11 | New York | $38,137 | $25,000 | $56,000 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $38,013 | $25,000 | $55,000 |
| 13 | Maryland | $37,109 | $26,000 | $52,000 |
| 14 | Maine | $36,970 | $25,000 | $52,000 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $36,951 | $25,000 | $53,000 |
| 16 | Colorado | $36,866 | $28,000 | $47,000 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $36,655 | $28,000 | $47,000 |
| 18 | Mississippi | $36,437 | $28,000 | $47,000 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $35,571 | $26,000 | $46,000 |
| 20 | North Carolina | $35,284 | $26,000 | $46,000 |
| 21 | Arizona | $35,255 | $27,000 | $45,000 |
| 22 | Illinois | $35,197 | $26,000 | $45,000 |
| 23 | Michigan | $34,938 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 24 | Texas | $34,576 | $26,000 | $45,000 |
| 25 | Georgia | $34,566 | $26,000 | $45,000 |
| 26 | Florida | $34,237 | $25,000 | $45,000 |
| 27 | Virginia | $34,017 | $24,000 | $46,000 |
| 28 | Nevada | $33,884 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 29 | Missouri | $33,867 | $26,000 | $43,000 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $33,718 | $25,000 | $43,000 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $33,072 | $25,000 | $42,000 |
| 32 | Utah | $32,697 | $25,000 | $41,000 |
| 33 | Ohio | $32,338 | $24,000 | $43,000 |
| 34 | Kansas | $32,243 | $25,000 | $41,000 |
| 35 | Indiana | $32,146 | $24,000 | $41,000 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $32,016 | $24,000 | $41,000 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $31,391 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $31,342 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
| 39 | Idaho | $31,338 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $31,311 | $23,000 | $41,000 |
| 41 | Delaware | $31,049 | $21,000 | $44,000 |
| 42 | Montana | $30,985 | $24,000 | $39,000 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $30,631 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 44 | Alabama | $30,306 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 45 | Iowa | $30,195 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $28,923 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $28,838 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $28,322 | $22,000 | $36,000 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $28,182 | $21,000 | $36,000 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $27,619 | $20,000 | $36,000 |
Methodology: Collections Specialist Salary By State
To better understand collections specialist pay by state, Zippia has aggregated data from a variety of sources, including the BLS and actual job postings. The data science team calculates a weighted average to determine the average pay for collections specialists by state.
This analysis helps potential job seekers understand where they might find the best opportunities in their field.
Collections Specialist Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for collections specialists?
The highest-paid state for collections specialists is Connecticut with an average salary of $45,913 per year.
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What city pays collections specialists the most?
Boston, MA pays collections specialists the most with an average salary of $45,241 per year.
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What is the worst state for collections specialists?
The worst state for collections specialists is West Virginia with an average salary of $27,619 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.
