Loan Officer
Help people and businesses get mortgages and loans, from application to closing.
- $76,690
- 3–6 months for mortgage licensing
Business & Office career
Bank Teller
Also called: Teller · Universal Banker · Credit Union Teller · Member Service Representative
What bank tellers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a bank teller do?
Tellers receive and pay out money, keep records of transactions, and help customers with routine banking needs. The median pay is $43,030 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -13.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$43,030$20.69/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-13.2%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year26,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs339,200Employment, 2025
What bank tellers do
Bank tellers are the face of the bank. They take deposits, cash checks, process withdrawals and loan payments, balance their cash drawers, spot fraud and refer customers to other banking services. Many banks now train tellers as universal bankers who also open accounts.
A high school diploma and short on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects a decline as digital banking grows, though turnover creates openings.
Typical duties
- Process deposits and withdrawals
- Cash checks
- Balance the cash drawer
- Spot counterfeit bills and fraud
- Answer account questions
- Refer customers to services
- Follow security procedures
Work environment and schedule
Tellers work in bank and credit union branches.
Schedule: Full or part time, including some Saturdays.
A day in the life
- Count your cash drawer.
- Open the lobby.
- Process a business deposit.
- Spot a suspicious check.
See a full day in the life of a bank teller →
Bank Teller salary
Half of bank tellers earned more than $43,030 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $34,360 for the lowest 10% to $49,680 for the top 10%.
Full bank teller pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a bank teller
- Finish high school
- Build cash and customer skills
- Apply to a bank or credit union
- Complete training
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a bank teller →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Cash handling
- Transaction processing
- Fraud detection
- Banking products
- Banking software
People skills
- Accuracy
- Friendliness
- Trustworthiness
- Calm
All bank teller skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Short training
- Entry to banking careers
- Regular hours
- Customer contact
Cons
- Declining employment
- Modest pay
- Robbery risk
- Balancing pressure
Certifications and licenses
- Bank teller certificate: ABA or similar.
- BSA/AML training: Required.
- Customer service training: Helpful.
- Universal banker training: Employer program.
Career path
- Teller: Entry.
- Head Teller: Lead tellers.
- Universal Banker: Accounts.
- Branch Manager: Run branch.
Learn the job before day one
Our Bank Teller training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as balance a teller drawer and spot a counterfeit bill, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
New Accounts Clerk
Open new bank accounts and explain banking products to customers.
- $47,670
- A few months on the job
Customer Service Representative
Help customers solve problems by phone, chat and email, and keep them coming back.
- $44,770
- 2–6 weeks (paid training)
Cashier
Ring up purchases, handle payments and give customers a friendly checkout.
- $32,880
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Compare: Bank Teller vs. Loan Officer · Bank Teller vs. New Accounts Clerk · Bank Teller vs. Customer Service Rep · Bank Teller vs. Cashier
Bank Teller FAQ
Do bank tellers need a degree?
No, a high school diploma is typical.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects decline, but turnover creates openings.
What’s a universal banker?
A teller who also opens accounts and sells products.
How much does a bank teller make?
The median annual wage for bank tellers was $43,030 ($20.69 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $34,360 and the highest 10% earned more than $49,680.
How long does it take to become a bank teller?
Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a bank teller?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-3071 (Tellers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Tellers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.