Financial Manager
Median wage · national
$166,570
Range: $125K – $220K
Employed
842K
Openings/yr
75K
Typically: bachelor's degree
BUSINESS
Tax Examiners and Collectors
Tax Examiners and Collectors earn $62,370 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $49,450 and $83,390. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Tax Examiners and Collectors
Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.
- Median Wage
- $62,370
- Employed Nationally
- 57K
- Openings / Year
- 4,300
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Adjustment Examiner
Block Advisor
City Collector
City Tax Auditor
Collections Specialist
How Much Do Tax Examiners and Collectors Make?
Tax Examiners and Collectors earn $62,370 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,450 and $83,390. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$62,370
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$49K–$83K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$49,450
Entry-level
$62,370
Median
$83,390
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $70,520, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Tax Examiners and Collectors Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Tax Examiners and Collectors roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Send notices to taxpayers when accounts are delinquent.
- Confer with taxpayers or their representatives to discuss the issues, laws, and regulations involved in returns, and to resolve problems with returns.
- Notify taxpayers of any overpayment or underpayment, and either issue a refund or request further payment.
- Maintain records for each case, including contacts, telephone numbers, and actions taken.
- Contact taxpayers by mail or telephone to address discrepancies and to request supporting documentation.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Who Thrives Here
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Tax Examiners and Collectors Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Tax Examiners and Collectors?
The BLS projects -1.8% employment change for Tax Examiners and Collectors through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 4,300 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↘ -1.8%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Declining employment projected.
4,300
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
57K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Tax Examiners and Collectors professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $62,370 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 8,080 | $72,390 | +16.1% |
| 2 | Florida | 4,190 | $45,570 | -26.9% |
| 3 | Texas | 3,550 | $55,870 | -10.4% |
| 4 | New York | 3,430 | $71,030 | +13.9% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 3,400 | $55,740 | -10.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Tax Examiners and Collectors positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accounting | 84,760 | $76,194 | 2,112 |
| 2 | Taxation | 1,257 | — | 125 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Tax Examiners and Collectors
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 2 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 3 | North Florida College Madison, FL | 91 | $804 | $33,929 |
| 4 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | 90 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | 90 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| 6 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | 90 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Tax Examiners and Collectors, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Tax Examiners and Collectors pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Tax Examiners and Collectors Pros & Cons
Tax Examiners and Collectors has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 1 upsides and 1 concerns below are all data-sourced.
PROS
- Competitive salary $62,370 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
CONS
- Declining employment The BLS projects -1.8% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.
Tax Examiners and Collectors Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Tax Examiners and Collectors professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Tax Examiners and Collectors is $62,370, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,450 and $83,390. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Tax Examiners and Collectors a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -1.8% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $62,370 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How do I become a Tax Examiners and Collectors?
Most Tax Examiners and Collectors positions require a bachelor's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Accounting are common starting points.
Why are Tax Examiners and Collectors jobs declining?
The BLS projects -1.8% employment change for Tax Examiners and Collectors through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 4,300 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 57K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
What skills do Tax Examiners and Collectors professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Tax Examiners and Collectors roles: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, and Monitoring. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Career outcomes
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- Job outlook
- Career change
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