How to become a cashier

Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What cashiers do

• Receive payment by cash, check, credit cards, vouchers, or automatic debits.
• Greet customers entering establishments.
• Answer incoming phone calls.
• Process merchandise returns and exchanges.
• Maintain clean and orderly checkout areas, and complete other general cleaning duties, such as mopping floors and emptying trash cans.
• Issue receipts, refunds, credits, or change due to customers.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Mathematics
• Monitoring
• Writing
• Active Learning

Is cashier a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 36% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• District of Columbia $38,880
• Washington $38,720
• California $37,100
• Colorado $36,870
• Hawaii $36,780

Cashiers salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.