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.
Data collector responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real data collector resumes:
- 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
- Extract and enter relevant medical and financial information into the CMS.
- Follow up includes collections on commercial insurance as well as HMO insurance.
- Used SQL to validate the new system staging data with existing production data.
- Follow guidelines and policies for retrieval of health information; adhere to all HIPAA regulations.
- Count inventory, scan UPC codes, input pricing information, collect display and promotional information.
- Gain experience in designing and implementing GIS solutions to enhance the business process for the clients.
- Provide timely and accurate ICD-9 and CPT codes for reimbursement and specific information for statistical purposes.
- Collect payments on overdue bills relating to healthcare, including hospitalizations, surgeries and routine checkups.
- Call providers to collect billing records, ICD-9 codes and diagnostic codes for medical expenditure panel survey.
Data collector skills and personality traits
We calculated that 31% of Data Collectors are proficient in Audit Type, Grocery Store, and Retail Store. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Negotiating skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Data Collectors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Audit Type, 31%
Download data required for collection based on the type of collection, and audit type.
- Grocery Store, 17%
Collected grocery store information on hand-held computer and transmitted data to company.
- Retail Store, 16%
Provided accurate information regarding retail store purchases.
- UPC, 10%
Complete accurate weekly collection of prices and UPC codes by locating several hundred items within big box retailer.
- PET, 8%
Collected pricing information in grocery, office, pet and mass retailers
- Inter-Rater Reliability, 2%
Undergo quality, accuracy, and inter-rater reliability testing and adhere to Company policies.
"audit type," "grocery store," and "retail store" are among the most common skills that data collectors use at work. You can find even more data collector responsibilities below, including:
Listening skills. The most essential soft skill for a data collector to carry out their responsibilities is listening skills. This skill is important for the role because "collectors must pay attention to what debtors say when trying to negotiate a repayment plan." Additionally, a data collector resume shows how their duties depend on listening skills: "communicated information from calls to appropriate staff by possessing product knowledge and inputting data into computer system. "
Negotiating skills. Many data collector duties rely on negotiating skills. "the main aspects of a collector’s job are reconciling the differences between two parties (the debtor and the creditor) and offering a solution that is acceptable to both parties.," so a data collector will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways data collector responsibilities rely on negotiating skills: "collect past due amounts, negotiating payment arrangements. "
Speaking skills. This is an important skill for data collectors to perform their duties. For an example of how data collector responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "collectors must be able to speak to debtors to explain their options and ensure that they fully understand what is being said." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a data collector: "enter responses accurately into a computer system while speaking with participants. ".
The three companies that hire the most data collectors are:
- Advantage Solutions152 data collectors jobs
- Westat85 data collectors jobs
- ICF67 data collectors jobs
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Compare different data collectors
Data collector vs. Account representative
Account representatives are employees who manage client accounts and act as the main contact of the clients they are handling. They maintain existing accounts by updating client details regularly. They also check up on clients to see if they are still satisfied with the products or services of the company. They also create new accounts by welcoming new clients and assisting them in their needs. Account representatives manage client inquiries and process client requests. They also address complaints and ensure that any challenges are mitigated and that clients remain with the company.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a data collector are more likely to require skills like "audit type," "grocery store," "retail store," and "data collection equipment." On the other hand, a job as an account representative requires skills like "customer service," "patients," "patient accounts," and "medicaid." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Account representatives really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $38,433. Comparatively, data collectors tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $36,822.account representatives tend to reach similar levels of education than data collectors. In fact, account representatives are 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Data collector vs. Accounts receivable analyst
An Accounts Receivable Analyst provides accounts receivable support through monitoring all aspects of the collection of outstanding debts owed to a company. They check missing and unresolved payment issues, monitor overdue accounts, and prepare statements for managers.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, data collector responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "audit type," "grocery store," "retail store," and "data collection equipment." Meanwhile, an accounts receivable analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "reconciliations," "customer accounts," and "pivot tables." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Accounts receivable analysts may earn a higher salary than data collectors, but accounts receivable analysts earn the most pay in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $45,068. On the other hand, data collectors receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,822.In general, accounts receivable analysts achieve similar levels of education than data collectors. They're 0.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Data collector vs. Accounts receivable specialist
Accounts receivable specialists are members of the organization's finance or accounting department. They are responsible for managing the collection of payments for the company. They prepare official receipts and coordinate with account payable specialists from other companies with pending payables. They ensure that clients pay on time, and they also follow up on payments when necessary. They are responsible for checking whether the clients have already paid in full. Accounts receivable specialists are in charge of updating accounting records as well to ensure that client records are up to date.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, data collectors are more likely to have skills like "audit type," "grocery store," "retail store," and "data collection equipment." But a accounts receivable specialist is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "patients," "credit card payments," and "reconciliations."
Accounts receivable specialists earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $43,571. Data collectors earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $36,822.When it comes to education, accounts receivable specialists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to data collectors. In fact, they're 2.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Data collector vs. Loss mitigation specialist
A loss mitigation specialist is responsible for evaluating outstanding debts, assisting the mortgage owner on minimizing losses by reviewing potential risks before settling a mutual agreement for the debtor and the bank. Loss mitigation specialists analyze financial documents and account statements, determining the property value, and assess the debtor's credit ratings. They also negotiate on payment plans, ensuring that the debtor understands the terms and conditions to prevent further financial damage. A loss mitigation specialist must have excellent knowledge of the financial industry, including banking products and services.
Types of data collector
Updated January 8, 2025
