Tellers
Tellers process routine transactions, such as cashing checks and depositing money, at a bank or credit union.
Is tellers a good career?
It scores 12/100 and ranks #627 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- High volume of openings — about 29,800 a year
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($43,030 vs $61,390)
- Employment is projected to decline (-12.9% through 2034)
What tellers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. tellers earn between $37,040 and $46,580 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live tellers jobs
How to become a teller
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Tellers usually need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Some tellers take college courses or have a college degree, but this is not typically required for a job applicant to be hired.
Training
New tellers usually receive on-the-job training after they are hired. Normally, a head teller or another experienced teller trains them. During this training, tellers learn how to balance cash drawers and verify signatures. They also learn the computer software that their employer uses and the financial products and services the bank or credit union offers.
Advancement
Experienced tellers may advance to become head tellers or move to other supervisory or managerial positions. Some tellers advance to other occupations, such as loan officer. They can also move to sales positions.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Tellers must be able to understand customers’ needs and to explain product or service options available.
Customer-service skills. Tellers spend their day interacting with bank customers. They must be friendly, helpful, and patient.
Detail oriented. Tellers must be careful to avoid making errors when dealing with money.
Integrity. Tellers have access to customers’ financial information, which they must keep confidential. They also must follow procedures to help safeguard financial assets and accounts.
Interpersonal skills. Tellers should be able to create positive interactions with customers.
Math skills. Because they count and handle large amounts of money, tellers must be good at arithmetic.
Related occupations
How much do tellers make?
The national median wage is $43,030 a year, with the middle half earning between $37,040 and $46,580 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is tellers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 12 of 100 and ranks #627 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -12.9% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a teller?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do tellers earn the most?
Among states, Washington pays the highest median ($47,670). Local pay for every state and metro is below.