Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents focus on reviewing tax returns, identifying discrepancies, and ensuring taxes are properly assessed and collected. National employment is 58,000, with 4,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing hiring needs even as the occupation is projected to decline slightly by -1.8%. The national median salary of $59,740 provides a solid earnings baseline, with higher pay available in certain states and metro areas. This career relies on a combination of analytical and people-focused strengths, drawing on mathematics, critical and analytical thinking, and strong customer service abilities. Success also depends on attention to detail, problem solving and decision making, and effective speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Computers and information technology skills, adaptability, and interpersonal abilities further support performance in this role. For students, career changers, and experienced professionals interested in tax-focused work with a blend of quantitative and communication tasks, this occupation offers a structured path with clear skill expectations and defined educational requirements.
The national median annual salary for tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents is $59,740, but actual pay varies by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $69,740 in Colorado to $75,560 in Massachusetts. California and New York also offer median salaries above $70,000. At the metro level, differences are even more pronounced. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports a median salary of $110,780, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $99,300, both notably higher than the national median. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro shows a median salary of $86,340, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is at $81,320. These figures indicate that geographic choice can significantly influence earning potential for this occupation, with several large metro areas and certain states offering substantially higher median wages than the national figure.
Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents have national employment of 58,000, with projected employment growth of -1.8%. While this indicates a modest decline, the occupation still shows 4,000 annual openings. This combination suggests that, despite a slight downward employment trend, there will continue to be opportunities due to factors such as turnover and replacement hiring. The projected growth rate of -1.8% appears consistently across the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating a similar directional outlook in those regions. For someone considering this career, the key takeaway is that the field is stable enough to generate regular openings, but it is not expanding overall. Planning a job search that accounts for location, competition, and required skills can help candidates position themselves effectively within this employment landscape, particularly in areas that show stronger opportunity scores and established employment levels.
Location plays a major role in opportunity and pay for tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents. Among states, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, median salary of $74,110, and employment of 8,610. Massachusetts and New York follow closely with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries of $75,560 and $72,610, respectively. Colorado and Washington also appear as strong options, with median salaries near or above $69,740 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ stand out with opportunity scores above 77 and median salaries of $99,300 and $86,340. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA combines an opportunity score of 68.75 with a median salary of $110,780. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also offer relatively high salaries and solid opportunity scores, giving candidates multiple geographic paths to consider.
The typical education requirement for tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents is a bachelor’s degree. This level of education supports the occupation’s emphasis on mathematics, critical and analytical thinking, and problem solving and decision making. Strong writing and reading skills are also important, along with speaking and listening abilities that help in communicating with taxpayers and colleagues. The role benefits from solid customer service and interpersonal skills, reflecting the need to handle interactions professionally and clearly. Detail orientation is central, as accuracy is key in tax-related work. Computers and information technology skills and adaptability are also highlighted, indicating that comfort with digital tools and adjusting to changing procedures or systems can be valuable. For students and career changers, aiming for a bachelor’s program that develops quantitative, communication, and analytical strengths can align well with the skill profile expected in this occupation.
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