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 ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionWriting
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageMathematicsEconomics and AccountingPublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Accounting softwareElectronic mail softwareDocument management softwareInternet browser softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Representative tasks
Balance currency, coin, and checks in cash drawers at ends of shifts and calculate daily transactions, using computers, calculators, or adding machines.Receive checks and cash for deposit, verify amounts, and check accuracy of deposit slips.Cash checks and pay out money after verifying that signatures are correct, that written and numerical amounts agree, and that accounts have sufficient funds.Monitor bank vaults to ensure cash balances are correct.Count currency, coins, and checks received, by hand or using currency-counting machine, to prepare them for deposit or shipment to branch banks or the Federal Reserve Bank.Enter customers' transactions into computers to record transactions and issue computer-generated receipts.Examine checks for endorsements and to verify other information, such as dates, bank names, identification of the persons receiving payments, and the legality of the documents.Prepare and verify cashier's checks.Resolve problems or discrepancies concerning customers' accounts.Process transactions, such as term deposits, retirement savings plan contributions, automated teller transactions, night deposits, and mail deposits.Answer telephones and assist customers with their questions.Identify transaction mistakes when debits and credits do not balance.Carry out special services for customers, such as ordering bank cards and checks.Sort and file deposit slips and checks.Receive and count daily inventories of cash, drafts, and travelers' checks.Order a supply of cash to meet daily needs.Arrange monies received in cash boxes and coin dispensers according to denomination.Receive mortgage, loan, or public utility bill payments, verifying payment dates and amounts due.Explain, promote, or sell products or services, such as travelers' checks, savings bonds, money orders, and cashier's checks, using computerized information about customers to tailor recommendations.Count, verify, and post armored car deposits.Obtain and process information required for the provision of services, such as opening accounts, savings plans, and purchasing bonds.Compute financial fees, interest, and service charges.Perform clerical tasks, such as typing, filing, and microfilm photography.Compose, type, and mail customer statements and other correspondence related to issues such as discrepancies and outstanding unpaid items.Process and maintain records of customer loans.Issue checks to bond owners in settlement of transactions.Quote unit exchange rates, following daily international rate sheets or computer displays.Inform customers about foreign currency regulations and compute transaction fees for currency exchanges.
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
56 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Operations TellerCash Management Services TellerFinancial Services Representative (FSR)Personal Banking RepresentativeFinancial Management and Comptroller Craftsman (Air Force 6F071)Personnel Specialist (Navy PS)Member Service Representative (Member Service Rep)Universal BankerForeign Banknote TellerCustomer Service Associate (CSA)Collection TellerRoving TellerCommercial TellerFinancial Management and Comptroller Helper (Air Force 6F011)BankerVault TellerForeign Banknote Teller TraderFinancial TellerCashierMoney CounterTellerForeign Banknote Teller-TraderCustomer Relationship SpecialistBranch Operations SpecialistTeller, VaultExchange TellerDrive-in TellerOn-call TellerForeign Exchange ClerkBank RepresentativeSavings TellerNote TellerExchange ClerkFinancial Management and Comptroller Journeyman (Air Force 6F051)Financial Management and Comptroller Apprentice (Air Force 6F031)Mail TellerCoupon ClerkUtility TellerOperations SpecialistReceiving Teller