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Personal banker: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$47,670median pay per year, or $22.92 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $38,180lowest 10% earn less
  2. $43,92025th percentile
  3. $47,670median
  4. $55,10075th percentile
  5. $60,910top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

New accounts clerks, the BLS group that includes personal bankers, had a median wage of $47,670 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to fall from 2025 to 2035 while all occupations grow[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-6.5%[2]
Openings per year
2,300[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do personal bankers make?

The median wage for new accounts clerks was $47,670 a year, or $22.92 an hour[1]. That is below the $50,980 median for all occupations[5]. The average was $49,370 a year and $23.73 an hour[8].

Level Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[4][9] $38,180 $18.36
25th percentile[4][9] $43,920 $21.12
Median[1] $47,670 $22.92
75th percentile[4][9] $55,100 $26.49
90th percentile[4][9] $60,910 $29.29

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,180, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $60,910[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].

These figures cover about 36,860 people paid a wage or salary[11]. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and benefits[12].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median wage at $60,990[13]. North Dakota followed at $57,970 and New York at $57,950[13]. New York had the most jobs at 4,800, then Texas at 2,360 and Wisconsin at 2,100[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New York-Newark-Jersey City had the highest median at $58,980[15]. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria came second at $58,410[15], and St. Louis third at $57,090[15]. New York-Newark-Jersey City also had the most jobs at 2,940[16], ahead of Chicago-Naperville-Elgin at 1,270[16].

Show median pay in 44 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[13]$60,990n/a
North Dakota$57,970140
New York$57,9504,800
New Jersey$57,240230
Connecticut$57,080420
Washington$52,830310
California$52,100950
New Mexico$51,380150
Missouri$50,270590
Tennessee$49,770420
North Carolina$49,4801,910
Illinois$49,0402,020
Minnesota$48,9201,160
Colorado$48,870390
Oregon$48,3301,410
Ohio$48,310n/a
New Hampshire$48,170410
Wisconsin$48,0502,100
Vermont$47,910190
Nevada$47,450850
Hawaii$47,440140
Maine$47,420510
Pennsylvania$47,3301,400
Delaware$47,150140
Nebraska$47,1401,150
Michigan$46,7801,800
Virginia$46,350640
Florida$45,930910
Georgia$45,7701,650
Idaho$45,760350
Wyoming$45,760180
Iowa$45,6301,320
South Carolina$45,50060
Utah$44,890210
Alabama$44,780140
Texas$44,0402,360
Kentucky$43,990240
Montana$43,610470
Oklahoma$43,3801,650
Maryland$43,20080
Indiana$42,950480
Mississippi$40,910160
Kansas$40,1701,100
West Virginia$38,520150
Arkansas$35,680730

How to become a personal banker

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent for entry, no related work experience, and moderate-term on-the-job training[7].

In an O*NET survey of 19 workers, 46% said a high school diploma is the education required[17]. Another 28% said some college courses, 15% a post-secondary certificate and 11% an associate's degree[17]. The survey is small, so treat it as a rough picture.

The training details here come from the BLS profile for financial clerks, which covers a wider group than new accounts clerks[18]. That profile says these clerks typically learn their duties on the job[19]. It lists communication, math and organizational skills as useful[20][21][22]. O*NET places the job in Job Zone Three, which means medium preparation is needed[23]. Our facts do not give the length of training.

What personal bankers and new accounts clerks do

O*NET describes the work as interviewing people who want to open accounts at a financial institution, explaining the services and helping with applications[24]. Job titles reported by workers include personal banker, member service representative and new accounts representative[25]. Common tasks are[26]:

Where they work

The BLS profile for financial clerks says they work in a variety of industries, usually in offices[27]. Full-time work is typical[28]. Insurance carriers and related activities were the largest employer of financial clerks, at 19% in 2025[29]. Because the profile covers a wider group, this may not match new accounts clerks exactly[18].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 6.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 37,900 to 35,500 jobs[2]. That is a loss of about 2,500 jobs[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[3].

BLS names one factor. More bank customers now open accounts through online and mobile tools, which lowers the need for these workers[30].

Even so, about 2,300 openings a year are projected[6]. Openings include workers who leave the field as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.9% of workers leave the labor force and 4% move to a different occupation[31].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a median wage a little below the all-occupations median[1][5]. The entry route is a high school diploma and on-the-job training, with no related experience[7]. Employment is projected to shrink, and BLS ties that to online and mobile account opening[2][30]. Openings are still expected each year[6]. The task list suits someone who likes talking with customers and handling account paperwork[26].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[32].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a personal banker make an hour?
For new accounts clerks, the median wage was $22.92 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $18.36 and the 90th was $29.29[9].
What education do you need to be a personal banker?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent for entry, with moderate-term on-the-job training and no related experience[7].
Is this job in demand?
BLS projects employment to decline 6.5% from 2025 to 2035[2], while all occupations grow 3.5%[3]. About 2,300 openings a year are still projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for new accounts clerks?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $60,990 a year in May 2025[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for New Accounts Clerks in the US was $47,670 per year and $22.92 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of New Accounts Clerks is projected to decline 6.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 37,900 to 35,500 jobs (a change of -2,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for New Accounts Clerks: 10th percentile $38,180, 25th percentile $43,920, 75th percentile $55,100, 90th percentile $60,910. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,300 openings for New Accounts Clerks 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
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into New Accounts Clerks: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for New Accounts Clerks was $49,370 per year and $23.73 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for New Accounts Clerks: 10th percentile $18.36, 25th percentile $21.12, 75th percentile $26.49, 90th percentile $29.29. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. 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
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 36,860 people were employed as New Accounts Clerks in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. 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
  13. Median annual wage for New Accounts Clerks in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most New Accounts Clerks jobs: New York 4,800; Texas 2,360; Wisconsin 2,100; Illinois 2,020; North Carolina 1,910. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for New Accounts Clerks (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $58,980; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $58,410; St. Louis, MO-IL $57,090; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $55,980; Flint, MI $55,440; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $55,440; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $55,170; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $52,830. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most New Accounts Clerks jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,940 (median $58,980); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,270 (median $49,950); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 850 (median $45,620); Oklahoma City, OK 730 (median $45,550); Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 720 (median $46,780); Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV 590 (median $47,460). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. O*NET 43-4141.00 survey of workers (19 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 46%, Some College Courses 28%, Post-Secondary Certificate 15%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Financial Clerks" covers New Accounts Clerks together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 43-4141.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of New Accounts Clerks. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 43-4141.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Banking Services Representative, Customer Service Specialist, Financial Service Representative, Financial Services Representative, Member Service Representative, New Accounts Clerk, New Accounts Representative, Personal Banker. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for New Accounts Clerks. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of financial clerks in 2025: Insurance carriers and related activities 19%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of New Accounts Clerks: Productivity change - share decreases as bank customers increasingly use online and mobile tools to open bank accounts, reducing the need for these workers. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for New Accounts Clerks: 2.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  32. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

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.