Occupation · SOC 43-3071
Tellers
Receive and pay out money. Keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institution's various transactions.
Median wage
$39,340
$31,270–$48,270
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
339,340
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
62 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionMonitoringCritical ThinkingWritingTime ManagementMathematicsJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningPersuasionNegotiationSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesSystems AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignProgrammingOperations AnalysisScienceRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageMathematicsEconomics and AccountingPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementSales and MarketingAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsLaw and GovernmentEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesCommunications and MediaPsychologyTelecommunicationsProduction and ProcessingTransportationForeign LanguageEngineering and TechnologyTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryChemistryMechanicalPhysicsPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsDesignFood ProductionBuilding and ConstructionBiology
Technology & tools
Accounting softwareEmail softwareHyland Software OnBaseIBM NotesInformation Technology Incorporated Premier TellerInternet browser softwareJack Henry & Associates VertexMicrosoft DynamicsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft ExchangeMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordSage 50 AccountingSouthern Data Systems TellerProTotal Turnkey Solutions E-VisionWord processing software
Representative tasks
Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicWorking with ComputersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationProcessing InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsAnalyzing Data or InformationSelling or Influencing OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationScheduling Work and ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesDeveloping and Building TeamsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesThinking CreativelyPerforming Administrative ActivitiesTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Currency, coins, and checks — count by hand or with a currency-counting machine under direct supervision to prepare items for deposit at a retail bank branch.Cash drawer balance — verify and reconcile at end of shift using a calculator or adding machine with guidance from a senior teller.Deposit slips — review for accuracy and confirm that written and numerical amounts agree under close supervisor oversight at a teller window.Customer transactions — enter basic data into banking software to generate computer-generated receipts while following step-by-step branch procedures.Check endorsements and dates — examine for completeness and legibility by following a supervisor-provided verification checklist at the teller counter.Account balances — query in the banking system to confirm sufficient funds before processing a cash-out request, under direct teller supervision.Basic arithmetic calculations — apply to verify transaction totals and coin counts using a calculator in a supervised branch environment.Customer inquiries — listen attentively and direct routine questions to the appropriate staff member while learning branch service protocols.Branch security procedures — follow established protocols when handling cash at the teller window, under the guidance of a head teller.Word processing and office suite software — use to complete routine administrative forms and correspondence as assigned by branch management.
developing
Cash drawer totals — balance currency, coin, and checks independently at shift end using branch computers and calculators with minimal oversight.Checks received for deposit — verify signatures, amounts, and account details routinely at the teller window, applying bank compliance guidelines.Bank vault cash levels — monitor daily balances and flag discrepancies to the head teller in accordance with branch security procedures.Customer transaction records — enter and update accurately in enterprise banking software, issuing receipts and maintaining an organized transaction log.Check validity — examine dates, endorsements, bank names, and payee identification across a full shift workload using standard branch verification procedures.Deposit and shipment preparation — count and package currency and coins for transfer to branch banks or the Federal Reserve Bank with routine accuracy.Minor account discrepancies — investigate and resolve straightforward errors by reviewing transaction histories and communicating clearly with customers at the counter.Time management — prioritize teller window tasks during peak service periods to maintain queue flow while sustaining accuracy standards.Electronic mail and document management software — use to track and share transaction records and customer correspondence within branch administrative workflows.Customer service interactions — apply social perceptiveness and active listening to adapt communication style to diverse customers in a retail banking setting.
proficient
End-of-shift cash drawer reconciliation — perform autonomously and troubleshoot calculation errors across multiple teller stations using branch accounting and spreadsheet software.Complex check verification — assess legality, identify irregularities in endorsements or dates, and make independent hold or approval decisions at the teller window.Vault cash management — audit balances, identify out-of-tolerance variances, and coordinate corrective action with operations staff to maintain branch liquidity controls.Customer account discrepancies — resolve multi-transaction errors and disputes independently by analyzing system records and applying bank policy within a retail branch environment.High-volume deposit processing — receive, verify, and record large batches of checks and cash accurately while managing concurrent teller responsibilities without supervisory guidance.Fraud indicators — recognize suspicious transaction patterns or document irregularities and escalate appropriately through branch security and public safety protocols.Regulatory compliance requirements — apply knowledge of banking regulations and internal controls consistently across all cash-handling and check-processing tasks.Teller software and ERP systems — navigate advanced features of enterprise banking platforms to research account histories and generate detailed transaction reports.Critical thinking in non-routine situations — evaluate ambiguous customer requests or unusual financial instruments and determine the correct course of action under branch policy.Written communication — compose clear account adjustment memos and customer correspondence using word processing software to document resolved discrepancies in branch records.
advanced
Branch cash-handling standards — design and implement updated teller procedures and accuracy benchmarks that align with regulatory requirements across the full branch operation.Teller team performance — mentor and coach emerging and developing tellers on reconciliation, verification, and customer service skills to elevate branch-wide accuracy rates.Vault and cash-flow strategy — oversee vault balance targets and currency order schedules, coordinating with the Federal Reserve Bank to ensure optimal branch liquidity.Operational risk and fraud prevention — lead the identification and mitigation of systemic cash-handling vulnerabilities by analyzing branch transaction data and security incident reports.Technology adoption — evaluate and champion the implementation of new accounting, document management, or ERP software that improves teller efficiency and audit compliance.Customer escalation resolution — manage complex or sensitive account disputes that exceed front-line authority, applying deep knowledge of banking policy and customer service principles.Regulatory reporting and audit readiness — ensure branch teller operations consistently meet internal audit standards and external regulatory requirements through proactive compliance oversight.Cross-functional collaboration — partner with operations, compliance, and retail management leaders to align teller workflows with broader organizational service and risk objectives.Performance metrics and reporting — develop branch-level dashboards using spreadsheet and reporting tools to track teller error rates, transaction volumes, and service quality indicators.Organizational training resources — create and deliver structured onboarding curricula and ongoing skill-development programs that prepare new tellers for Job Zone 2 responsibilities from day one.
Also known as
45 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Account RepresentativeBank RepresentativeBank TellerBankerBilingual Spanish TellerBilingual TellerBranch Operations SpecialistBranch TellerCash Management Services TellerCashierCollection TellerCommercial TellerCoupon ClerkCustomer Relationship SpecialistCustomer Service Associate (CSA)Drive-in TellerExchange ClerkExchange TellerFinancial Services Representative (FSR)Financial TellerForeign Banknote TellerForeign Banknote Teller TraderForeign Exchange ClerkLoan TellerMail TellerMember Service Representative (Member Service Rep)Member Services RepresentativeMoney CounterMoney Order ClerkNote TellerOn-call TellerOperations SpecialistOperations TellerPaying TellerPersonal BankerPersonal Banking RepresentativeReceiving TellerRetail BankerRoving TellerSavings Teller