Associate Collections Specialist Salary in California

How much does an Associate Collections Specialist make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Collections Specialist in California is $45,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, an Associate Collections Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $51,296
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,636 to $48,481
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,217

Key Factors That Influence Associate Collections Specialist Salaries

An Associate Collections Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Associate Collections Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Collections Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $44,746
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,861
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $55,179
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $76,787
  • Expert (over 8 years): $268,545
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Associate Collections Specialist less than 1 year $44,746
Collections Representative II 1-2 years $49,861
Collections Representative III 2-4 years $55,179
Collections Supervisor 5-8 years $76,787
VP of Collections over 8 years $268,545

Top Paying Cities for Associate Collections Specialist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $45,468
  • West Hollywood: $45,435
  • Dodgertown: $45,468

Associate Collections Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Collections Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Associate Collections Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Collections Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Collections Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services $59,007 $28.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $56,738 $27.0 25%
Software & Networking $54,468 $26.0 20%
Biotechnology $52,199 $25.0 15%
Internet $52,199 $25.0 15%

Associate Collections Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Collections Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$41,636
Average $45,390/year
$48,481
$3,470
Average $3,783/month
$4,040
$801
Average $873/week
$932
$20
Average $22/hour
$23
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $48,481 $4,040 $932 $23
Average $45,390 $3,783 $873 $22
25th Percentile $41,636 $3,470 $801 $20

Find Your Next Associate Collections Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Collections Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • TaxRise | Irvine, CA

    TaxRise | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. WHY JOIN TAXRISE. At TaxRise, we don't just provide tax relief services. we provide hope, stability, and solutions to ind... more

    6 Days Ago

  • RESORT RECOVERY SOLUTIONS LLC | San Diego, CA

    RESORT RECOVERY SOLUTIONS LLC | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Commission. Paid time off. Paid holidays. Job description. WE ARE HIRING. | Join the Resort Recovery Solutions ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Vistage Worldwide | San Diego, CA

    Vistage Worldwide | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. POSITION SUMMARY. As a Collections Specialist, you will be responsible for managing and collecting overdue payments from ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Morrison Express | Compton, CA

    Morrison Express | Compton, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Role & Responsibilities. Maintains and manages aging report for assigned accounts. Actively follow up with customers for ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Naviga | Los Angeles, CA

    Naviga | Los Angeles, CA

    About Our Client Our client is one of the world's largest and most recognized legal services firms, ranking #3 globally and #2 in the United States.Establi... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search | San Francisco, CA

    Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search | San Francisco, CA

    About Our Client Our client is one of the world's largest and most recognized legal services firms, ranking #3 globally and #2 in the United States.Establi... more

    6 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst