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Cashier: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $24,530lowest 10% earn less
- $28,72025th percentile
- $32,880median
- $36,33075th percentile
- $40,410top 10% earn more
Cashiers earned a median of $32,880 a year in May 2025[1], and the job needs no formal education[2]. Employment is projected to decline 6.5% from 2025 to 2035[3], though many openings still come up each year[4].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- -6.5%[3]
- Openings per year
- 521,300[4]
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential[2]
How much do cashiers make?
The median pay for cashiers was $32,880 a year, or $15.81 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of cashiers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $33,180 a year, or $15.95 an hour[7].
For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[6]. So the cashier median sits below that overall figure[1][6].
Here is how annual pay spread out[5]:
| Point | Annual wage | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[5] | $24,530 | |
| 25th percentile[5] | $28,720 | |
| Median[1] | $32,880 | |
| 75th percentile[5] | $36,330 | |
| 90th percentile[5] | $40,410 |
BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8]. The lowest-paid 10% of cashiers earned less than $24,530[5]. The highest-paid 10% earned more than $40,410[5]. By the hour, the 10th percentile was $11.79 and the 90th was $19.43[9].
These wages cover full-time and part-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[10].
Pay by state and city
The District of Columbia had the highest median annual wage for cashiers at $38,880, followed by Washington at $38,720 and California at $37,100[11]. At the other end of the list, West Virginia had the lowest median at $26,370, then Mississippi at $26,390[11].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $44,210[12]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA followed at $42,960, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $41,270[12].
The most cashier jobs were in California (336,110), Texas (245,730) and Florida (201,370)[13]. About 3,089,410 people worked as cashiers in the US in May 2025[14].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia[11] | $38,880 | 6,060 |
| Washington | $38,720 | 61,050 |
| California | $37,100 | 336,110 |
| Colorado | $36,870 | 51,670 |
| Hawaii | $36,780 | 10,780 |
| Alaska | $36,130 | 5,810 |
| Vermont | $35,720 | 7,030 |
| Connecticut | $35,550 | 30,920 |
| Massachusetts | $35,520 | 58,880 |
| New York | $35,500 | 158,890 |
| Oregon | $35,300 | 37,660 |
| Maine | $34,930 | 14,240 |
| Rhode Island | $34,860 | 9,260 |
| Minnesota | $34,620 | 58,190 |
| Arizona | $34,600 | 72,570 |
| New Jersey | $34,590 | 107,680 |
| Illinois | $34,490 | 139,630 |
| Maryland | $34,390 | 49,910 |
| Montana | $34,190 | 12,170 |
| New Hampshire | $33,840 | 17,250 |
| Delaware | $33,490 | 11,450 |
| Utah | $31,600 | 22,940 |
| North Dakota | $31,460 | 9,510 |
| Wisconsin | $30,880 | 65,380 |
| Wyoming | $30,810 | 5,840 |
| Virginia | $30,580 | 83,890 |
| Florida | $30,530 | 201,370 |
| Missouri | $30,520 | 69,430 |
| Idaho | $30,370 | 17,200 |
| Nebraska | $30,250 | 20,650 |
| New Mexico | $30,120 | 19,020 |
| Nevada | $29,870 | 30,160 |
| South Dakota | $29,780 | 12,860 |
| Michigan | $29,740 | 92,930 |
| Indiana | $29,670 | 68,350 |
| Ohio | $29,260 | 103,020 |
| Texas | $29,230 | 245,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,220 | 110,950 |
| Georgia | $29,070 | 97,540 |
| Iowa | $28,970 | 41,450 |
| North Carolina | $28,880 | 106,440 |
| Kansas | $28,800 | 33,080 |
| Kentucky | $28,590 | 44,550 |
| Tennessee | $28,590 | 63,350 |
| South Carolina | $28,530 | 56,550 |
| Alabama | $28,250 | 46,420 |
| Oklahoma | $28,180 | 41,140 |
| Arkansas | $27,670 | 28,270 |
| Louisiana | $26,750 | 46,350 |
| Mississippi | $26,390 | 30,490 |
| West Virginia | $26,370 | 17,360 |
How to become a cashier
The facts describe a short path in:
- First: no formal educational credential is typically needed, and no work experience in a related job[2].
- Next: employers may prefer a high school diploma or the equivalent[15]. In an O*NET survey of 21 workers, 44% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, and 37% said less than a high school diploma[16].
- Then: expect short-term on-the-job training[2]. It may last up to a few weeks, and an experienced worker usually shows new cashiers how to use equipment such as scanners or registers[17].
Basic math helps, since cashiers may count money, make change or tally receipts[15]. The facts do not list a license or exam for this job.
What cashiers do
Cashiers take in and hand out money at businesses other than financial institutions[18]. Some call the job "checker"[19]. Common tasks include[20]:
- Taking payment by cash, check, card, voucher or automatic debit.
- Greeting customers as they come in.
- Giving out receipts, refunds, credits or change.
- Helping customers and resolving their complaints.
- Checking that checkout stations have enough cash and enough staff.
- Finding prices and adding up bills with scanners, registers or calculators.
- Answering phone calls and customer questions.
- Helping customers find products.
OOH lists customer-service skills, communication skills, dexterity, near vision and stamina as useful qualities[21][22][23][24][25].
Where they work
Food and beverage retailers were the largest employer group in 2025, at 30% of cashier jobs[26]. The work is often repetitive, and cashiers spend much of their time standing at counters or checkout stands[27]. Dealing with unhappy customers can be stressful[27].
Schedules can include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays[28]. Places open all day, such as gas stations, may need overnight work[28]. Part-time work is common[29].
Job outlook
BLS projects cashier employment to fall 6.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,106,300 to 2,905,700 jobs[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[30]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the OEWS job count[3].
BLS lists a falling share of demand as online sales grow and self-checkout systems become more common[31].
Even so, about 521,300 openings a year are projected on average[4]. Openings count jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, as well as new jobs[4]. Each year, 9.2% of cashiers leave the labor force and 8.8% move to a different occupation[32].
Is it a good fit?
The job has a low barrier to entry, with no formal education typically required and short on-the-job training[2][17]. Pay is below the all-occupations median[1][6]. Jobs are projected to shrink, while high turnover keeps many openings coming[3][4][32]. Standing for long periods and varied schedules are part of the work[25][28]. It may suit someone who wants work with quick entry and is comfortable with customer contact.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a cashier make an hour?
- The median was $15.81 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $15.95[1][7].
- What education do you need to be a cashier?
- No formal educational credential is typically needed[2]. Employers may prefer a high school diploma or the equivalent[15].
- How long does it take to become a cashier?
- On-the-job training may last up to a few weeks[17].
- Are cashier jobs in demand?
- Employment is projected to decline 6.5% from 2025 to 2035[3], but about 521,300 openings a year are projected[4].
- What is the highest paying state for cashiers?
- The District of Columbia had the highest median annual wage at $38,880, followed by Washington at $38,720[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Cashiers in the US was $32,880 per year and $15.81 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Cashiers: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Cashiers is projected to decline 6.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,106,300 to 2,905,700 jobs (a change of -200,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 521,300 openings for Cashiers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Cashiers: 10th percentile $24,530, 25th percentile $28,720, 75th percentile $36,330, 90th percentile $40,410. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Cashiers was $33,180 per year and $15.95 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Cashiers: 10th percentile $11.79, 25th percentile $13.81, 75th percentile $17.47, 90th percentile $19.43. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Cashiers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Cashiers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $44,210; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $42,960; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,270; Kahului-Wailuku, HI $39,010; Boulder, CO $38,520; Napa, CA $38,500; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,440; Bozeman, MT $38,130. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Cashiers jobs: California 336,110; Texas 245,730; Florida 201,370; New York 158,890; Illinois 139,630. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 3,089,410 people were employed as Cashiers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 41-2011.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 44%, Less than a High School Diploma 37%, Post-Secondary Certificate 9%, Some College Courses 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Cashiers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 41-2011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Cage Cashier, Cashier, Center Aisle Cashier, Central Aisle Cashier, Checker, Customer Assistant, Sales Associate, Store Attendant. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Cashiers. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of cashiers in 2025: Food and beverage retailers 30%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Cashiers: Demand change, capital/labor substitution - share decreases as online sales increase and self-checkout systems become more common. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Cashiers: 9.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 8.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.