What does a Cashier do?

Cashiers work to provide customers with fast and friendly service while ensuring accuary at the sales counter. Cashiers generally take orders, ring them up on a register, collect payments and make change, and issue receipts. Cashiers are oftentimes asked to help with other tasks around the place of business during their down time. They are needed at a wide variety of places ranging from grocery stories and retail shops to restaurants and gas stations.

Cashiers must have a high school diploma or general education degree (GED). Aside from this, cashiers need to have great interpersonal skills in order to provide customers with great service. Additionally, the best cashiers are outgoing, friendly, detail-oriented, and comfortable moving at a fast pace.

What responsibilities are common for Cashier jobs?
  • Collect cash, checks, and credit card payments from customers
  • Make change accurately and efficiently
  • Issue receipts to customers
  • Deal with returns and refunds as necessary
  • Maintain cash control over register drawer and verify amounts are correct
  • Answer customer questions as they arise
  • Calculate customer bills through cash register ringing
  • Help with other tasks as needed including managing shelves, tracking inventory, and keeping the store clean
What are the typical qualifications for Cashier jobs?
  • High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required
  • 3-6 months experience handling money and working with a cashier
  • Ability to read and understand instructions
  • Ability to add, substract, multiply, and divide easily and quickly
  • Experience operating a cash register
  • Proficient cashier and clerical skills
  • Comfortable with cash handling
  • Strong customer service skills
EducationBachelor's Degree
Work/Life Balance
3.3 ★
Total Pay--
Career Opportunity
3.1 ★
Avg. Experience8+ years

How much does a Cashier make near United States?

Confident
$32,787 /yr
Total Pay
$31,462
 /yr

Base Pay

+
$1,325
 /yr

Additional Pay

$32,787

 / yr
$25K$43K
Most Likely Range
Possible Range
See More Insights

Cashier Career Path

Learn how to become a Cashier, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Cashier
$32,786/yr
Cashier Supervisor
$33,655/yr
Lead Cashier
$34,782/yr
Cashier

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
25%
2 - 4
1%
5 - 7
0%
8+
74%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Cashier Insights

Read what Cashier professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
Dunkin'Dunkin'
Cashier
Jun 10, 2021

“I loved working here the store i was at the manager was super nice and understanding”

Taco BellTaco Bell
Fast Food Cashier
Aug 18, 2021

“real nice and fun man I love working here I wish this would be my job forever”

Giant FoodGiant Food
Cashier
Nov 16, 2022

“the pay was good but the store i worked at the majors never went by my schedule and was rude”

Half Price BooksHalf Price Books
Cashier
Feb 3, 2022

“You will be surrounded by great and interesting coworkers and it is truly a fun place to work.”

Sprouts Farmers MarketSprouts Farmers Market
Head Cashier
Jul 5, 2021

“The products are awesome and decently priced and I enjoy helping people take control of their eating and lifestyle habits.”

loanDepotloanDepot
Cashier
Aug 19, 2021

“Good people to work but some angry fans so you have to be fast which I am good at that”

KrogerKroger
Front End Cashier
Jun 9, 2023

“Make sure this isn’t your main job if you have bills and other responsibilities because the pay is not great”

Trader Joe'sTrader Joe's
Cashier
Aug 1, 2021

“Fun that is amazing place to work have fun live more enjoy life and make money”

See More

Cashier Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of cashiers

Cashiers spend their days working with customers at retail businesses. They run the point-of-sale system or cash register by scanning the bar codes of items, receiving credit card and cash payments, making change, and bagging or wrapping customer purchases. They may also assist customers by answering questions about products.

A cashier is typically an entry-level position, which means that you don't usually need any formal education in order to become a cashier. Any required training happens on the job. It can be a good first job, but there isn't much room for career advancement.

Cashiers are paid about $32,787 per year in the United States. Being a cashier is more typically an hourly position, with variable hours per day and week. Working overtime can bring in more money, but the average cashier position isn't a high-paying job.

Working as a cashier can be challenging, especially at a busy store where they must stand on their feet for a whole shift or have many customers to work with. As the point of contact for customers, cashiers may need to resolve concerns. This is why cashiers need a positive attitude and a friendly demeanor for their whole shift, which may start with opening the store or ending late when closing it.

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Cashier Jobs