Analysis
NAICS 561440 is the 2022 national industry for collection agencies, part of 56144 (Collection Agencies). Census lists 9 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 22% and employment fell 32%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
County Business Patterns counts 2,877 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 91,811 people at an average annual payroll of $50,946 per employee (18th percentile of national industries). 44% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include account collection services, adjustment agencies (except insurance), bill collection services and collection agencies, among 9 in all.
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 561491, 522299 and 541110. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
For example, repossessing tangible assets are classified in 561491 (Repossession Services) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in collecting payments for claims and remitting payments collected to their clients.
Illustrative Examples:
Account or delinquent account collection services Tax collection services on a contract or fee basis Bill or debt collection services
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Repossessing tangible assets | 561491 Repossession Services |
| Providing financing to others by factoring accounts receivables (i.e., assuming the risk of collection and credit losses) | 522299 International, Secondary Market, and All Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation |
| Providing legal services for debt collection by offices of lawyers | 541110 Offices of Lawyers |
Index entries (9)
- Account collection services
- Adjustment agencies (except insurance)
- Bill collection services
- Collection agencies
- Collection agencies, accounts
- Credit arrears collection services
- Debt collection services
- Delinquent account collection services
- Tax collection services on a contract or fee basis