Hiring Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

What do tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents 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.
• Answer questions from taxpayers and assist them in completing tax forms.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 13-2081.00.

What does it take to become one?

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

O*NET Job Zone 3, SVP (6.0 to < 7.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Alteryx software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft PowerPoint for this role.

What do tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents in 71 of the metro areas we publish data for. The median ranges from $36,980 to $110,780 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $70,050. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 13-2081.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest median any metro we publish data for pays tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents is $110,780 a year, place of work (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $22,156 to $33,234 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a revenue agent search fill?

Typically 23 to 35 days, and typically 2 to 3x faster than a contingency search, per our recruiting partner's published figures. Both are typical rather than guaranteed.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.