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Bill Collector, Claims Collector, Debt Collector, Skip Tracer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Collection agents are employed by businesses, financial institutions, governments and collection agencies to get payments from customers or clients who default on loans, credit card debts, bill payments or other financial obligations.
Collection agents may have a variety of job titles such as:
Small companies may hire part-time collection agents or assign the task of collection to an employee. Large companies usually hire a number of collection agents or contract a receivables management firm. For accounts that are difficult to collect, businesses may hire legal firms or contract private collection agencies.
Collection agents use tact and diplomacy when collecting overdue accounts to preserve a positive customer relationship with the business. They may use a variety of approaches such as:
They also may:
If debtors fail to respond to initial letters, collection agents usually follow up with other letters and phone calls. Most use 3 standard form letters:
Collection agents are legally allowed to contact friends, family members, neighbours and employers 5 days after the first letter of reminder has been sent, but only to establish a new phone number or address for the person being sought. Collection agents have access to computer databases and elaborate skip tracing methods for locating people who are difficult to find.
Collection agencies usually are hired by businesses or organizations that have had no luck collecting on their own and are willing to pay a fee to get the money owed.
Collection agencies generally resolve about 40% of their debts through phone calls and letters. Payments not collected by agencies may be abandoned or, in some circumstances, legal proceedings may be instigated. If the matter results in court proceedings, once a legal judgement is passed the collection agent is then allowed to deduct money from (garnish) the debtor’s employment pay until the debt is paid off.
Collection agents work in offices. They may sit for long periods of time working at a computer and using the telephone. Since collection agents often phone people at home, they may work weekends, early mornings or evenings. In Alberta, collection agents are allowed to call between 7a.m. and 10p.m. Dealing with unpleasant, upset debtors can be stressful.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in compiling and maintaining records and files; may work with on-line accounts and systems
Interest in tracing and locating debtors and in making collection arrangements; may contact debtors' friends, neighbours, relatives and employers to obtain information
Interest in speaking with debtors in person or by telephone to resolve collection issues by making payment arrangements
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Collection agents need:
They should enjoy having clear rules and methods guiding their work, speaking with people in person or on the phone, and finding innovative ways to locate debtors and recover debts.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 15 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 31, 2021 and Sep 09, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 8 |
|---|---|
| Work under pressure | 8 |
| Attention to detail | 8 |
| Tasks: Notify debtors of overdue accounts and payments | 8 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 7 |
| Tasks: Trace and locate debtors | 7 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Windows | 6 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: Electronic mail | 6 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 6 |
| Business Equipment and Computer Applications: Internet | 6 |
Most businesses and collection agencies prefer to hire collection agents who have at least a high school diploma. Some companies hire university or college students to work part-time as collection agents.
Collection agents usually are given on-the-job training. They must become familiar with local and provincial regulations governing collection procedures and learn how to negotiate with debtors. They need:
Collectors working for a collection agency to settle debts on behalf of other businesses must have a provincial collector's licence from the Government of Alberta. Licence is not required if the collector is working directly for the original creditor.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Collection agents are employed by many types of businesses including:
With experience, collection agents in large organizations may advance to legal collections or supervisory positions. In some financial institutions, collection agent is considered an entry level position from which employees may advance.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Collectors
2016 NOC: 1435
77.1% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Collection agents' earnings vary considerably depending on their duties and qualifications, and on the type of employer. Those who work for hourly wages may earn bonuses or commissions on the total dollars collected.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $17.00 | $28.29 | $20.13 | $19.00 |
| Overall | $18.13 | $35.77 | $23.29 | $21.54 |
| Top | $19.00 | $44.09 | $26.93 | $27.69 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $45,880 |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | $59,803 |
Credit Institute of Canada website: www.creditinstitute.org
Government of Alberta website, collector's licence information: www.alberta.ca/collector-licence.aspx
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
