Data collector vs collections representative

The differences between data collectors and collections representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a data collector and a collections representative. Additionally, a data collector has an average salary of $35,626, which is higher than the $34,015 average annual salary of a collections representative.

The top three skills for a data collector include audit type, grocery store and retail store. The most important skills for a collections representative are payment arrangements, customer service, and delinquent accounts.

Data collector vs collections representative overview

	Data Collector	Collections Representative
Yearly salary	$35,626	$34,015
Hourly rate	$17.13	$16.35
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	80,812	85,275
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	12	12

What does a data collector do?

A data collector is responsible for providing accurate and adequate information needed for business purposes and lead generation. Data collectors must have excellent knowledge of the data processing procedures, especially on updating information on the database, conducting web research, and revising statistical data as needed. They also perform related administrative and clerical duties, such as responding to customers' inquiries and concerns, writing reports, tracking business transactions, and creating business presentations. A data collector should be detail-oriented, doing tasks under minimal supervision, and complying with management deadlines.

What does a collections representative do?

A Collections Representative's role is to collect payment for outstanding or overdue bills through phone calls, email, mail, or sometimes personal appointments. A Collections Representative is required to have a great deal of research and communication skills in order to reach out to people and explain how to settle their debts or even negotiate a payment term or plan. Collections Representatives must also make sure that these terms are honored and met, and create reports for the creditor regarding the delinquent accounts.

Data collector vs collections representative salary

Data collectors and collections representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Data Collector	Collections Representative
Average salary	$35,626	$34,015
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Ramon, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	EDC	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	Government	Finance

Differences between data collector and collections representative education

There are a few differences between a data collector and a collections representative in terms of educational background:

	Data Collector	Collections Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Data collector vs collections representative demographics

Here are the differences between data collectors' and collections representatives' demographics:

	Data Collector	Collections Representative
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4%	Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 3.7% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between data collector and collections representative duties and responsibilities

Data collector example responsibilities.

Prevent impeding loss and increasing profitability through negotiation and enforcement of schedule collection campaigns, consistently achieving high success standards.
Collect from all insurances (HMO, PPO, and MEDICARE).
Attend trainings and abide by HIPAA regulations.
Collect from insurance companies (PPO and Medicare).
Execute database queries in SQL in response to client requests.
Collect pricing information in grocery, office, pet and mass retailers

Collections representative example responsibilities.

Protect A/R assets by managing a portfolio of accounts to maximize gainful sales and reduce debt losses.
Maintain effective communication and utilize negotiation skills with internal and external customers to effect collections while maintaining customer good will.
Submit all reconsideration and appeals if need.
Conduct periodic data cleaning of queues balances deny with deny appeals.
Resolve valid or authorize NSF charges due to decline credit cards or ACH transactions.
Collect and count inventories, reconcile purchases and scan UPC's and inputting price information.

Data collector vs collections representative skills

Common data collector skills

Audit Type, 31%
Grocery Store, 17%
Retail Store, 16%
UPC, 10%
PET, 8%
Inter-Rater Reliability, 2%

Common collections representative skills

Payment Arrangements, 14%
Customer Service, 13%
Delinquent Accounts, 9%
Past Due Accounts, 6%
Customer Accounts, 4%
Debt Repayment, 4%

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Data Collector vs Collections Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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