ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Skip Tracing Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

defi AUTO LLC

Back Line Collections Manager

Madison, WI · On-site

$52K - $65K/yr

Detailed understanding of state and federal debt collection regulations and statutory requirements as well as collection and skip tracing techniques. * Indirect automotive finance industry knowledge ...

All JobsSkip Tracing JobsSkip Tracing Jobs in Wisconsin

Skip Tracing information

See Wisconsin salary details

$13

$19

$25

How much do skip tracing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for skip tracing in Wisconsin is $19.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.49 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is skip tracing?

Skip tracing is the process of locating a person's whereabouts for various purposes, such as collecting debts, serving legal documents, or finding missing persons. Professionals known as skip tracers use a combination of public records, databases, social media, and investigative techniques to track down individuals who have 'skipped' town or are otherwise hard to find. Skip tracing is commonly used by debt collectors, private investigators, and law enforcement agencies. The process requires analytical skills and knowledge of privacy laws to ensure searches are conducted legally and ethically.

How much does a skip tracer get paid?

Skip tracers typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, with annual salaries ranging from $30,000 to $70,000 depending on experience, location, and the complexity of cases. Many skip tracers work for debt collection agencies, law firms, or private investigation firms and may require skills in research tools and databases.

What are some common challenges faced by skip tracers, and how can they overcome them?

Skip tracers often face challenges such as locating individuals who intentionally avoid detection, working with limited or outdated information, and navigating privacy laws. To overcome these obstacles, successful skip tracers use a combination of public records, social media research, and specialized databases. Staying up to date with legal and ethical standards, as well as developing strong analytical and communication skills, helps them efficiently track down hard-to-find subjects while maintaining compliance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Skip Tracer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Skip Tracer, you need strong investigative skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with legal compliance, often supported by relevant experience in collections or law enforcement. Proficiency in using specialized databases, online research tools, and skip tracing software is typically required. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and persistence are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure you can efficiently locate individuals while adhering to legal standards, maximizing recovery rates for clients.

What Are Skip Tracing Jobs?

There are various positions within the skip tracing industry, and your responsibilities vary depending on the job and company. Private investigators, for example, work with individual clients on a variety of cases and use skip tracing to find information on people. Bail guarantors and bounty hunters investigate a disappearance with skip tracing to bring a fugitive in for a reward. Repossession agents and debt collectors are other positions that utilize skip tracing to regain financial losses, especially with banks and automobiles. Journalists may also practice skip tracing to locate a specific person relevant to the story they are writing.

How to become a professional skip tracer?

To become a professional skip tracer, you should gain knowledge of investigative techniques, research methods, and relevant laws. Developing skills in using public records, databases, and surveillance tools is essential, and some roles may require a background in law enforcement or private investigation. Certification is not always mandatory but can enhance credibility and job prospects.

Is a skip tracer a real job?

Yes, a skip tracer is a real job that involves locating individuals who have skipped or disappeared, often for debt collection, legal cases, or investigative purposes. The role typically requires research skills, knowledge of public records, and sometimes specialized tools or databases.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Skip tracing is a job that can pay around $4,000 per week for experienced professionals, especially those working independently or in high-demand environments. Success in such roles often depends on strong research skills, access to specialized tools, and a good network, with some individuals earning this level through freelance or contract work. However, high earnings typically require significant experience and a proven track record.

What is the difference between Skip Tracing vs Debt Collector?

AspectSkip TracingDebt Collector
Required CredentialsResearch skills, attention to detailCommunication skills, negotiation
Work EnvironmentInvestigative, office or fieldCollection agencies, call centers
Industry UsageFinancial, legal, lendingFinancial, lending, legal
Search & Comparison IntentLocating individualsRecovering debts

Skip Tracing involves locating individuals who are difficult to find, often using research and investigative techniques. Debt Collectors focus on recovering overdue payments through communication and negotiation. While both roles may work in financial sectors, skip tracers primarily locate individuals, whereas debt collectors seek repayment. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the industry.

More about Skip Tracing jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Skip Tracing jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Skip Tracing jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Skip Tracing jobs in Wisconsin? For Skip Tracing jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Skip Tracing jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Skip Tracing jobs in Wisconsin are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Skip Tracing jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Skip Tracing job openings:
Skip Tracing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Skip Tracing job openings in Wisconsin as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $41,355 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Back Line Collections Manager

defi AUTO LLC

Madison, WI • On-site

$52K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description


About defi SOLUTIONS:

It’s an exciting time to join defi!

defi SOLUTIONS is a pioneer in end-to-end, SaaS loan originations, servicing, and managed servicing solutions. Our customers include the highest-volume captive auto lenders, banks, credit unions, and finance companies in North America. We have more than three decades of experience helping lenders reduce time-to-market, streamline operations, and customize lending processes with proven, scalable performance.

Learn more at defisolutions.com and follow us on LinkedIn.


Position Purpose:

The Back Line Collections Manager will be responsible for a team that processes customer service transactions associated with the auto loan and lending business.



Position Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

  • Own the Collections Dept from end-to-end processing
  • Enhance productivity and streamline processing to achieve at least 10% improvement year over year.
  • Take ownership of new and existing client scope of services and deliver a level of service quality that exceeds our clients’ expectations.
  • Hire and retain top talent (as measured by the defi SOLUTIONS hiring scorecard) to achieve less than 15% voluntary attrition rate. Develop and manage talent and have a production ready successor.
  • Demonstrate leadership and self-sufficiency by leading client or internal projects from inception to completion with little or no supervision.
  • Perform staff coaching a minimum of 30% of time as a priority of job function.
  • Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certified or is willing to achieve certification within 15 months of hire.
  • Ability to create and follow policy and procedures 100% of the time.
  • Respond to client inquiries within 24 hours.
  • Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.


Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field
  • Job Related Experience: 5 - 8 years
  • Management Experience: 3 - 5 years


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) designation a plus.
  • ISO certified (2001:2018)


Additional Eligibility Requirements:

  • Ability to solve problems based upon researching and analyzing information before recommending/selecting the appropriate solution.
  • General responsibilities and objectives are assigned with considerable latitude for defining actions and setting priorities. Generally, results and outcomes are reviewed, rather than work in progress.
  • Ability to make innovations, which affect this job and suggests changes to the immediate supervisor that affect other related job.
  • Ability to compose and/or interpret internal and/or external business letter, memos, reports, may require understanding and explanation, of policies and procedures to others, both internal and external to defi SOLUTIONS.
  • Detailed understanding of state and federal debt collection regulations and statutory requirements as well as collection and skip tracing techniques.
  • Indirect automotive finance industry knowledge a plus.
  • Knowledge of repossession and bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Ability to manage time effectively and multi-task.
  • Ability to set and monitor individual goals as well as motivate employees.
  • Excellent communication, leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products a plus.
  • Experience with budgeting and staff forecasting.
  • Inbound / Outbound Dialer strategy knowledge
  • Knowledge of repossession management, insurance filing and pre-paid product cancelation preferred


Travel Required:

  • Less than 10% travel


Affirmative Action/EEO statement: defi SOLUTIONS is an Equal Opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.