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Collections specialist vs specialist

The differences between collections specialists and specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a collections specialist, becoming a specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a specialist has an average salary of $58,013, which is higher than the $35,164 average annual salary of a collections specialist.

The top three skills for a collections specialist include customer service, patients and customer accounts. The most important skills for a specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.

Collections specialist vs specialist overview

Collections SpecialistSpecialist
Yearly salary$35,164$58,013
Hourly rate$16.91$27.89
Growth rate-8%10%
Number of jobs40,277358,433
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4642
Years of experience122

What does a collections specialist do?

As their name entails, collections specialists collect payments for the outstanding accounts receivables. Collections specialists list the names of those who were unable to pay their overdue bills based on their delinquency severity. They locate the customers through loan documents, background checks, credit bureau information, and other databases or paperwork. These specialists are expected to be excellent in their negotiation and communication skills. They should also be trustworthy, reliable, and act professionally to be considered as good specialists.

What does a specialist do?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

Collections specialist vs specialist salary

Collections specialists and specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Collections SpecialistSpecialist
Average salary$35,164$58,013
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $45,000Between $32,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAJersey City, NJ
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew Jersey
Best paying companyKent Daniels & AssociatesThe Citadel
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between collections specialist and specialist education

There are a few differences between a collections specialist and a specialist in terms of educational background:

Collections SpecialistSpecialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-Stanford University

Collections specialist vs specialist demographics

Here are the differences between collections specialists' and specialists' demographics:

Collections SpecialistSpecialist
Average age4642
Gender ratioMale, 30.5% Female, 69.5%Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 3.7% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%11%

Differences between collections specialist and specialist duties and responsibilities

Collections specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage university A/R processes and enforce tuition payment policy.
  • Manage accounts for healthcare clients, review detailed patient information for payment resolution while abiding HIPPA privacy and security regulations.
  • Review denied Medicare and Maine Medicaid insurance claims for accuracy.
  • Analyze hospital insurance claims of individual patients for errors and contact major insurance carriers for claims dispute resolution.
  • Analyze accounts for patients ineligible for private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid and indicating inability to pay balance.
  • Possess effective persuasion and negotiation skills, excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to deliver quality customer service.
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Specialist example responsibilities.

  • Create, manage, and assist users with SharePoint sites.
  • Manage an on-site IRB and company good clinical practice (GCP) inspection.
  • Manage SharePoint sites by creating, editing, and customizing company sites, libraries and security.
  • Manage the building of accounts, assigning of static IP's, and scheduling of business class installations.
  • Convert servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
  • Follow safety procedures such as maintenance of all equipment (Telxon scanners, terminals and ladders).
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Collections specialist vs specialist skills

Common collections specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Customer Accounts, 6%
  • Payment Arrangements, 5%
  • Delinquent Accounts, 4%
  • Phone Calls, 4%
Common specialist skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Exceptional Client, 4%
  • Troubleshoot, 4%

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