Counter and Rental Clerks
SOC code 41-2021 · O*NET-SOC 41-2021.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Sales
Counter and Rental Clerks pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$41,300
a year
Hourly
$19.86
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$45,700
$21.97 per hour
Middle 50%
$35,630 – $50,190
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$29,800 – $65,370
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
400,810
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $29,800
- $14.33/hr
- 25th percentile
- $35,630
- $17.13/hr
- Median percentile
- $41,300
- $19.86/hr
- 75th percentile
- $50,190
- $24.13/hr
- 90th percentile
- $65,370
- $31.43/hr
What do counter and rental clerks do?
Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Compute charges for merchandise or services and receive payments.
- Receive orders for services, such as rentals, repairs, dry cleaning, and storage.
- Explain rental fees, policies, and procedures.
- Provide information about rental items, such as availability, operation, or description.
- Advise customers on use and care of merchandise.
- Greet customers and discuss the type, quality, and quantity of merchandise sought for rental.
- Answer telephones to provide information and receive orders.
- Inspect and adjust rental items to meet needs of customer.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 56% 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)56%
- Bachelor's Degree20%
- Some College Courses13%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9%
Common questions
How much does a counter and rental clerks earn?
The national median is $41,300 a year. The full range runs from $29,800 at the 10th percentile to $65,370 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 counter and rental clerks 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.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.4/5
- Reading Comprehension3.3/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Sales and Marketing3.4/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- Transportation2.7/5
- Computers and Electronics2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management.