Cashiers help customers pay for goods and services.
Cashiers handle payments from customers purchasing goods and services.
Duties
Cashiers typically do the following:
Greet customers
Use scanners, cash registers, and calculators to ring up items that customers buy
Accept payments from customers and give change and receipts
Bag or wrap customers’ purchases
Handle returns and exchanges of merchandise, including seeing if the items are in good condition and using the right procedure for cash, credit cards, or other types of payment
Answer customers' questions and give information about the store's procedures and policies
Help customers to sign up for store rewards programs and to apply for store credit cards
Count how much money is in their register at the beginning and end of their shift
In some establishments, cashiers may have to check customers' age when selling age-restricted products, such as alcohol and tobacco. Some cashiers may have duties not directly related to sales and customer service, such as mopping floors, taking out the trash, and doing other custodial tasks. Others may stock shelves or mark prices on items.
Cashiers held about 3.4 million jobs in 2010. Most cashiers work indoors, usually in retail establishments such as supermarkets, department stores, movie theaters, and restaurants.
As shown in the following tabulation, 25 percent of cashiers worked in grocery stores in 2010:
Grocery stores
25%
Gasoline stations
13
Department stores
6
Limited-service eating places
6
Pharmacies and drug stores
5
The work is often repetitive, and cashiers spend most of their time standing behind counters or checkout stands.
The work can sometimes be dangerous; the risk from robberies and homicides is higher for cashiers than for most other workers. However, more safety precautions, such as installing safes and security cameras, are being taken to help deter criminals.
Work Schedules
Work hours vary by employer, but cashiers typically must work nights, weekends, and holidays. Employers may restrict the use of vacation time from Thanksgiving through early January, because that is the busiest time of year for most retailers.
Cashiers need to have good customer service skills.
Cashiers are usually trained on the job. There are usually no formal educational requirements.
Education
Many jobs for cashiers have no specific educational requirements, although some employers prefer applicants with at least a high school diploma. Cashiers should have a basic knowledge of mathematics, because they need to be able to make change and count the money in their registers.
Important Qualities
Customer-service skills. Cashiers need to be courteous and friendly when helping customers.
Dexterity. Cashiers constantly use their hands to operate registers and scan purchases.
Listening skills. Cashiers must pay attention to their customers’ questions, instructions, and complaints.
Patience. Cashiers frequently interact with customers who are upset or angry, and the cashiers must be able to remain calm.
Stamina. Cashiers must be able to stand for long periods.
Training
Cashiers go through a brief training period when they are hired. In small firms, an experienced worker typically trains beginners. In larger businesses, trainees spend time in training classes before being placed at cash registers. During training, new cashiers are taught store policies and procedures and how to operate equipment such as cash registers.
Advancement
Working as a cashier is often a steppingstone to other careers in retail. For example, with experience, cashiers may become customer service representatives, retail salespersons, or supervisors. Cashiers with at least a high school diploma typically have the best chances for promotion. For more information, see the profiles on customer service representatives and retail sales workers.
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
The median hourly wage of cashiers was $8.89 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.56, and the top 10 percent earned more than $12.40.
Many cashiers start at the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 an hour. Some states set the minimum wage above $7.25 an hour.
Work hours vary by employer, but cashiers typically must work nights, weekends, and holidays. Employers may restrict the use of vacation time from Thanksgiving through early January, because that is the busiest time of year for most retailers.
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment of cashiers is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Retail sales are expected to grow, leading to increased need for cashiers over the projections decade. However, employment growth will be limited by advances in technology, such as a rise in the number of self-service checkout stands in retail stores and increasing online sales that may decrease the need for cashiers.
Job Prospects
Job opportunities should be good because of the need to replace the large number of workers who leave the occupation for a variety of reasons each year.
Historically, workers under the age of 25 have filled many of the openings for cashiers. In 2010, about 46 percent of all cashiers were 24 years old or younger.
Employment projections data for cashiers, 2010-20
Occupational Title
SOC Code
Employment, 2010
Projected Employment, 2020
Change, 2010-20
Employment by Industry
Percent
Numeric
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Customer service representatives interact with customers on behalf of an organization. They provide information about products and services and respond to customer complaints. Some also take orders and process returns.
Retail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts, (called parts salespersons). Both groups help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments.
Tellers are responsible for accurately processing routine transactions at a bank. These transactions include cashing checks, depositing money, and collecting loan payments.
The Handbook does not have contacts for more information for this occupation.
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Cashiers,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/cashiers.htm (visited October 17, 2012).
Publish Date:
Thursday, April 26, 2012
What They Do
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2010 Median Pay
The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics survey.
On-the-job Training
Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.
Entry-level Education
Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.
Work experience in a related occupation
Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.
Number of Jobs, 2010
The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2010, which is the base year of the 2010-20 employment projections.
Job Outlook, 2010-20
The projected rate of change in employment for the 10-year timeframe between 2010 and 2020. The average growth rate for all occupations is 14 percent.
Employment Change, 2010-20
The projected numeric change in employment for this occupation from 2010 to 2020.
2010 Median Pay
The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics survey.
Entry-level Education
Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.
