Retail Sales Associate
Help shoppers find what they need and keep stores running smoothly.
- $35,410
- 1–2 weeks
Sales & Retail career
Cashier
Also called: Checkout Clerk · Front End Associate · Register Clerk · Cashier/Customer Service
What cashiers 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 cashier do?
Cashiers process payments for purchases, scan items, handle cash and cards, apply discounts and coupons, and provide fast, friendly service at checkout. The median pay is $32,880 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Several days, and employment is projected to grow -6.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$32,880$15.81/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-6.5%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year521,300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainSeveral daysTypical program length
- U.S. jobs3,106,300Employment, 2025
What cashiers do
Cashiers are often the last person customers see in a store. They scan items, apply coupons and discounts, take cash, card and mobile payments, give change, bag items, verify ages for restricted products and answer quick questions. They balance their drawer at the end of each shift.
No experience is needed, and training takes days. Self-checkout is reducing cashier jobs in some stores, but the role remains a common first job and a stepping stone to customer service, supervisor and office roles.
Typical duties
- Scan items and verify prices
- Accept cash, card and mobile payments
- Count and give correct change
- Apply coupons, discounts and loyalty rewards
- Check IDs for age-restricted items
- Bag purchases carefully
- Balance the cash drawer
Work environment and schedule
Cashiers work in grocery stores, retail stores, gas stations, restaurants and pharmacies, standing at registers for most of the shift.
Schedule: Shifts include early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays, with many part-time options.
A day in the life
- Count the starting drawer and log into the register.
- Ring up the morning rush quickly and accurately.
- Check an ID for a beer purchase.
- Fix a price discrepancy with a price check.
See a full day in the life of a cashier →
Cashier salary
Half of cashiers earned more than $32,880 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $24,530 for the lowest 10% to $40,410 for the top 10%.
Full cashier pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a cashier
- Apply at stores and restaurants
- Learn the register
- Build speed and accuracy
- Take on more
- Advance
No formal education is required. Cashiers learn on the job in a few days.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a cashier →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- POS operation
- Cash handling
- Payment processing
- Age verification
- Coupons and discounts
People skills
- Friendliness
- Accuracy
- Patience
- Speed
All cashier skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No experience needed
- Flexible, part-time hours
- Quick training
- Builds customer service skills
Cons
- Repetitive work
- Standing for long periods
- Self-checkout reducing jobs
- Difficult customers
Certifications and licenses
- NRF Foundation RISE Up Customer Service: Retail customer service credential.
- Responsible alcohol and tobacco sales training: Training for age-restricted sales.
- Food handler card: For cashiers in food service.
- Cash handling training: Accuracy and fraud prevention.
Career path
- Cashier: Run a register.
- Customer Service Desk: Handle returns and questions.
- Front End Supervisor: Lead cashiers.
- Assistant Store Manager: Manage store operations.
Learn the job before day one
Our Cashier training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as count back change and check an ID for age-restricted items, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Stock Associate
Keep shelves full and pick orders in stores and warehouses.
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Barista
Make coffee drinks and serve customers at cafes and coffee shops.
- $31,200
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Customer Service Representative
Help customers solve problems by phone, chat and email, and keep them coming back.
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Compare: Cashier vs. Retail Sales Associate · Cashier vs. Stock Associate · Cashier vs. Barista · Cashier vs. Customer Service Rep
Cashier FAQ
Do cashiers need experience?
No. Training takes just days.
Is self-checkout replacing cashiers?
It’s reducing some jobs, though cashiers are still needed.
Can cashiers move up?
Yes, to front end supervisor, customer service and office roles.
How much does a cashier make?
The median annual wage for cashiers was $32,880 ($15.81 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $24,530 and the highest 10% earned more than $40,410.
How long does it take to become a cashier?
Most people need about Several days of training. No formal education is required. Cashiers learn on the job in a few days.
Do you need a degree to be a cashier?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” 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 41-2011 (Cashiers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Cashiers (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.