How much does a tax collector make?
Answer: A typical tax collector in the United States makes $62,370 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 57,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Tax collector pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $42,000 | $62,370 | $114,550 | about 57,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $96,420 | about 1,000 |
| Connecticut | $89,140 | about 940 |
| Illinois | $80,720 | about 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $79,000 | about 1,000 |
| Ohio | $76,240 | about 990 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay differs by whether the employer is federal, state, or local, and by location. Experience and accounting study or a CPA can qualify people for different IRS job levels, while specialists may handle more complex returns.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a tax collector do?
Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.
What's a typical day like?
They compare tax returns with receipts and account records, then contact taxpayers about errors or missing papers. Some visit businesses to check complex books, while collectors follow up on unpaid taxes.
How to get this job
Most enter after college, studying accounting or business; IRS revenue agents need qualifying accounting coursework, an equivalent mix of education and experience, or a CPA. They apply to a government agency and receive on-the-job training.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling.
Did you know?
Some experienced U.S. revenue agents focus only on multinational businesses—companies that operate in many countries.
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Business and Financial Operations jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/tax-examiners-and-collectors-and-revenue-
- www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule
- www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm
- www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/irs-audits
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY