Occupation · SOC 41-2011
Cashiers
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.
Median wage
$31,190
$23,070–$38,220
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
3,148,030
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
2 mapped
Core skills
Service OrientationSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingCoordinationTime ManagementMonitoringMathematicsJudgment and Decision MakingPersuasionNegotiationInstructingWritingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesScienceTechnology DesignRepairingProgrammingOperations AnalysisInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementMathematicsAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentEconomics and AccountingEducation and TrainingTelecommunicationsPersonnel and Human ResourcesCommunications and MediaTransportationPsychologyProduction and ProcessingForeign LanguageMechanicalSociology and AnthropologyChemistryFood ProductionEngineering and TechnologyTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyPhysicsBuilding and ConstructionGeographyDesignBiologyHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
AFEXDirectAccounting softwareApple SafariBookkeeping softwareDatabase softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareHandheld computer device softwareMicrosoft EdgeMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WindowsMozilla FirefoxPoint of sale POS softwareReliaSoft Prism
Representative tasks
Getting InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsWorking with ComputersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsHandling and Moving ObjectsTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsControlling Machines and ProcessesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersSelling or Influencing OthersCoaching and Developing OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAssisting and Caring for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationProcessing InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleThinking CreativelyProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationStaffing Organizational UnitsScheduling Work and ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Point-of-sale system — operate accurately on common transactions under a senior associate's review.Payment methods (cash, credit, debit, mobile, EBT, gift card) — accept and process correctly.Cash-drawer counts and shift-close reconciliation — perform to penny-accuracy under supervisor review.Customer greetings and basic service scripts — deliver consistently throughout the shift.Common produce codes and PLU lookups (grocery context) — memorize and apply during ringing.Returns, voids, and price overrides — request from a supervisor rather than performing solo.Loss-prevention basics (signature checks, ID verification) — apply consistently on payments that require them.Bagging conventions (cold separate, fragile on top, heavy at bottom) — execute reliably.Coupons and basic promotions — apply correctly on routine transactions.Personal-protective standards (lifting limits, slip-trip awareness) — follow throughout the shift.
developing
Sustained high-volume throughput during peak periods — maintain accuracy at speed.Difficult-customer interactions (complaints, price disputes, declined cards) — handle within front-end authority.Complex returns and exchanges within company policy — process without supervisor involvement.Self-checkout assistance and station monitoring — supervise multiple lanes during light shifts.Cash-handling for the entire shift (drops, change orders, change requests) — execute reliably.Loyalty programs and credit applications — pitch and process per company training.Coupons, tax exemptions, and discount stacking — apply correctly even on edge-case transactions.Newer cashiers on the lane — buddy with during their first week.Front-end recovery (sweeping, baggage carousel, queue management) — manage during slow periods.Shrink-prevention behaviors (scan-every-item, weight verification) — apply consistently.
proficient
Head-cashier or front-end-lead responsibilities — coordinate registers, breaks, and customer service across the front end.Customer escalations that reach the manager-on-duty — resolve to satisfaction.Cash-office responsibilities (deposits, change orders, safe management) — perform with full accountability.Cashier training program — deliver across new-hire cohorts.Loss-prevention incidents — recognize, document, and partner with LP and management on response.Front-end metrics (transactions per labor hour, items per minute, scan accuracy) — interpret and coach to.Self-checkout-area ownership during peak shifts — manage multiple lanes plus the floor concurrently.POS system updates and troubleshooting — execute and train the team on changes.Cashier-team morale and recognition — set the tone across the shift.Cross-coverage to other departments during front-end downtime — flex effectively.
advanced
Front-end operations across a store — own as front-end manager with full team and metrics responsibility.Front-end labor and shrink budget — manage to monthly targets with the store manager.Hiring, training, and performance management for 20-40 front-end associates — shape the team.Cross-store best-practices (district level) — adopt and contribute on shrink, speed, and customer experience.Major events and seasonal rushes — plan and execute end-to-end (Black Friday, holiday, back-to-school).Customer-experience metrics (CSAT, mystery shop) — own and translate into front-end coaching.Loss-prevention partnership at store level — represent front-end in LP investigations and program design.POS rollouts and pilot programs — lead at the store level in partnership with corporate.Front-end-talent pipeline (cashier → head cashier → assistant manager) — develop with intent.Customer-service culture and front-end standards — set and sustain through example and coaching.
Also known as
90 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Auction ClerkBottle Booth AttendantBox Office AttendantBridge Toll CollectorCage CashierCart AttendantCash CheckerCash Office WorkerCash PersonCash Register Operator (Cash Register Op)CashierCashier AssociateCashier HostCashier HostessCashier StockerCashier Team MemberCashier WrapperCenter Aisle CashierCentral Aisle CashierChange Booth AttendantChange PersonCheck CashierCheck Out CashierCheck Out ClerkCheckerChecker CashierCheckout OperatorClerk CashierClerk CheckerCollectorConvenience Store ClerkCourtesy Booth CashierCredit CashierCustomer AssistantDay CashierDisbursement ClerkDisbursing AgentDisbursing OfficerDriver Cash ClerkFare Collector