Cashier
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Salary Range: Less than $30,000
Average Hourly: $ 12.03
Education: No formal educational credential
Number of Jobs: 3379100
Jobs Added to 2029: -336400
Growth: Decline
Go here to see salary and job data specific to the United Kingdom.
What Cashiers Do
Duties
Cashiers typically do the following:
- Greet customers
- Scan or register customers’ purchases
- Accept payments from customers and give change and receipts
- Bag or wrap customers’ purchases
- Process returns and exchanges of merchandise
- Answer customers’ questions and provide information about store policies
- Help customers sign up for store rewards programs or credit cards
- Count the money in their register at the beginning and end of each shift
In some establishments, cashiers have to check the age of their customers 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 other custodial tasks. Others may stock shelves or mark prices on items.
Cashiers use scanners, registers, or calculators to process payments and returns or exchanges of merchandise.
Work Environment
Most cashiers work in retail establishments, such as grocery stores, gasoline stations, and other general merchandise stores.
Work Environment Details
| Food and beverage stores | 27% |
| General merchandise stores | 22 |
| Gasoline stations | 18 |
| Restaurants and other eating places | 9 |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 4 |
The work is often repetitive, and cashiers spend most of their time standing behind counters or checkout stands. Dealing with dissatisfied customers can be stressful.
Work Schedules
Cashiers’ work hours vary by employer. Cashiers often work during weekends and holidays. Some cashiers employed in establishments that operate 24 hours a day, such as gasoline stations, work overnight shifts. Part-time work is common.
Employers may restrict the use of time off from Thanksgiving through early January because that is the busiest time of the year for most retailers.
Job Outlook
Employment of cashiers is projected to decline 10 percent from 2020 to 2030.
Despite declining employment, about 546,900 openings for cashiers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
How to Become a Cashier
Education
Although most jobs for cashiers have no specific education requirements, some employers prefer applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent. Cashiers should have a basic knowledge of mathematics, because they need to be able to make change and count the money in their registers.
Training
Cashiers receive on-the-job training, which may last a few weeks. An experienced worker typically helps new cashiers learn how to operate equipment such as scanners or registers.
Advancement
Working as a cashier is often a means to advance to other careers in retail. For example, with experience, cashiers may become customer service representatives or retail sales workers.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Cashiers must pay attention to customers’ questions and explain pricing.
Customer-service skills. Cashiers must be courteous and friendly when helping customers.
Dexterity. Cashiers use their hands to operate registers and scan purchases.
Near vision. Cashiers need to see well enough to scan items and process transactions accurately.
Patience. Cashiers must be able to remain calm when interacting with customers.
Physical stamina. Cashiers stand for long periods.