Cashiers
SOC code 41-2011 · O*NET-SOC 41-2011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Sales
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation
Cashiers handle the point of sale: scanning, payment, returns and the front-line customer questions that come with them. Self-checkout has slowed hiring, but the occupation remains one of the largest in the country and a common entry point into retail supervision.
Cashiers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$32,880
a year
Hourly
$15.81
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$33,180
$15.95 per hour
Middle 50%
$28,720 – $36,330
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$24,530 – $40,410
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
3,089,410
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $24,530
- $11.79/hr
- 25th percentile
- $28,720
- $13.81/hr
- Median percentile
- $32,880
- $15.81/hr
- 75th percentile
- $36,330
- $17.47/hr
- 90th percentile
- $40,410
- $19.43/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
-10%
Declining
3,157,200
jobs in 2024
2,843,600
projected for 2034
About 313,600 fewer jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a cashier do?
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Receive payment by cash, check, credit cards, vouchers, or automatic debits.
- Greet customers entering establishments.
- Calculate total payments received during a time period, and reconcile this with total sales.
- Issue receipts, refunds, credits, or change due to customers.
- Count money in cash drawers at the beginning of shifts to ensure that amounts are correct and that there is adequate change.
- Issue trading stamps, and redeem food stamps and coupons.
- Assist customers by providing information and resolving their complaints.
- Monitor checkout stations to ensure they have adequate cash available and are staffed appropriately.
How to become a cashier
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 44% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)44%
- Less than a High School Diploma37%
- Post-Secondary Certificate9%
- Some College Courses9%
Common questions
How much does a cashier earn?
The national median is $32,880 a year. The full range runs from $24,530 at the 10th percentile to $40,410 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a cashier without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is cashier in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 10% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.8/5
- Critical Thinking2.8/5
- Mathematics2.6/5
- Monitoring2.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Sales and Marketing3.1/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Mathematics2.9/5
- Administrative2.8/5
- Computers and Electronics2.7/5
- Public Safety and Security2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management.