Profession · Full profile

Bank Teller

Bank tellers process financial transactions, manage cash, and assist customers at branch counters.

Average salary

$43,030

Salary range

$34,360 – $49,680

Training time

A few weeks

Job market

Decline

2/10

Work-life balance

Good

7/10

A bank teller handles day to day cash and banking transactions for branch customers. Tellers process deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and loan payments while verifying customer identity and available funds. They cash checks, issue cashier checks and money orders, and balance their cash drawer at the start and end of every shift. In addition to daily transactions, tellers identify counterfeit currency, watch for fraud, and refer branch visitors to bankers for loans and new accounts.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A typical weekday shift handling customer transactions, drawer balancing, and branch customer service.

8:30 AM
Branch arrival and drawer setup
Count and balance the cash drawer at the start of the shift and prepare workstation supplies.
9:00 AM
Morning customer transactions
Process deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and cash checks after verifying customer identity.
11:30 AM
Special financial services
Issue cashier checks and money orders while checking for counterfeit money or fraud.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Take scheduled midday meal break away from the branch counter.
1:30 PM
Afternoon transaction processing
Process customer loan payments, answer account inquiries, and refer clients to bankers for loans.
3:30 PM
Team huddle
Meet briefly with branch staff to review daily service objectives and branch security reminders.
4:00 PM
End-of-day drawer balancing
Balance cash drawer totals against transaction logs and secure cash before closing.

Task breakdown

A focused weekend shift characterized by continuous retail customer flow and transaction processing.

8:45 AM
Opening vault access and drawer count
Retrieve cash box and verify opening cash counts before doors unlock for Saturday hours.
9:00 AM
Peak weekend walk-in transactions
Process deposits, withdrawals, and check cashing for personal account holders.
11:00 AM
Customer service and referrals
Answer account questions and refer interested customers to bankers for new accounts.
12:00 PM
Midday rest break
Step away from the counter for a short scheduled rest break.
12:30 PM
Afternoon counter transactions
Process loan payments and verify funds on large checks while watching for suspicious activity.
1:45 PM
Final drawer balancing and branch lockup
Count and balance the cash drawer at shift end, log transaction totals, and store cash securely.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$34,360

Average

$43,030

Maximum

$49,680

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$34,360	$43,030	$49,680
Texas	$30,360	$38,050	$47,770
California	$38,030	$46,900	$58,660
Illinois	$34,670	$38,670	$47,750
New York	$37,950	$44,400	$55,420
Pennsylvania	$34,750	$40,200	$49,160

Typical benefits

Health insurance

Medical coverage provided by financial institutions for branch employees.

Retirement plan with employer match

Company-supported retirement savings with matching contributions.

Paid holidays

Paid time off observed on official federal and bank holidays.

Tuition assistance

Employer support to help cover education costs while employed.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

On-the-job training

A few weeks

Short-term on-the-job training

This training covers cash handling, bank software, and fraud detection. New tellers often shadow experienced staff first before operating a window on their own.

Costs: Paid by the employer
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree

2 years full time

Associate degree in business or finance (optional)

This optional degree helps with promotion to personal banker or branch management roles. Some banks offer tuition support while working.

Costs: About $4,150 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public two-year college (in-district)
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Cash handling and drawer balancingCounting cash accurately and balancing the cash drawer at the start and end of each shift.
Banking transaction softwareNavigating core financial systems to record deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and loan payments.
Fraud and counterfeit detectionSpotting counterfeit bills, forged signatures, and suspicious account activity to protect the bank.
Currency reporting rulesComplying with regulatory reporting standards for cash transfers and large transactions.
Basic math accuracyCalculating transaction amounts accurately without errors during customer checkouts.
Bank product knowledgeUnderstanding branch offerings to refer customers to bankers for loans or new accounts.

Soft skills

Customer serviceAssisting account holders courteously at the counter and answering questions clearly.
AccuracyExecuting financial transactions precisely to prevent balancing errors or incorrect debits.
HonestyMaintaining personal integrity when handling large amounts of cash and private customer data.
Clear communicationExplaining transaction steps, fees, and bank policies clearly to diverse branch customers.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
Detail-orientedCarefully verifies signatures, account numbers, and cash amounts on every transaction.
✓
TrustworthyHandles negotiable instruments and cash with absolute honesty and compliance.
✓
ApproachableWelcomes branch visitors warmly and maintains a professional service demeanor.
✓
VigilantRemains alert to potential fraud, counterfeit notes, and security threats at the counter.
✓
ComposedStays calm and orderly during busy customer rushes or robbery training procedures.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

26,800

Trend

Declining

Growth

-13.2%

AI impact

7/10

ATMs, mobile deposits and online banking cut routine teller transactions. Complex transactions, fraud concerns and personal service stay human.

Regional demand

Illinois

Shows steady local demand across commercial banks and retail branch offices.

7/10

Pennsylvania

Credit unions and savings banks seek tellers for customer service counters.

6/10

New York

Retail banking locations recruit tellers for branch operations.

4/10

Texas

Openings exist across retail bank locations and credit unions.

4/10

California

Branch networks continue to hire replacement staff for counter positions.

3/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Bank teller
0-2 years
Entry-level branch professional processing transactions, cashing checks, and balancing cash drawers.
Head teller
2-4 years
Experienced teller who oversees counter operations, helps balance vault cash, and assists junior tellers.
Assistant branch manager
4-6 years
Branch supervisor who oversees daily operational routines, staff schedules, and compliance.
Branch manager
6+ years
Branch leader responsible for overall branch performance, staff oversight, and business development.

Horizontal move

Loan officer
Financial professional who evaluates, authorizes, or recommends approval of loan applications.
View Loan Officer
Customer service representative
Banking professional who handles complex customer service requests, disputes, and account maintenance.
View Customer Service Representative

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Full or part time, with Saturday hours at many branches.
Remote work: Remote work is not possible for teller duties because tellers handle cash at the branch.
Physical requirements: Tellers stand or sit at a counter for long periods, with low physical demands and training for robbery situations.
Typical employers: Commercial banks, Credit unions, Savings banks, Bank branches inside grocery stores

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does a bank teller do on a daily basis?

A bank teller processes deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and loan payments for branch customers. Tellers cash checks after verifying customer identity and available funds, issue cashier checks and money orders, and answer basic account questions. They also count and balance their cash drawer at the start and end of every shift and look out for fraud.

What education do you need to become a bank teller?

You need a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for most bank teller positions. Employers provide short-term on-the-job training lasting a few weeks to teach cash handling, fraud detection, and banking software. While an associate degree in business or finance is optional, it can help candidates pursue promotions to personal banker or branch management roles.

Can bank tellers work from home?

Remote work is not possible for teller duties because tellers handle cash directly at the branch. All primary responsibilities, including balancing drawers, counting bills, and assisting retail customers, require physical presence behind the branch counter. Tellers must work on site at commercial banks, credit unions, savings banks, or grocery store branches.

What are the typical working hours for a bank teller?

Bank tellers work full or part time schedules consisting mostly of day shifts. Many branch locations require Saturday hours, and some tellers work evening shifts, though there is almost no night work. Schedules generally follow retail branch operating hours, providing regular daytime employment with some weekend coverage.

Are background checks required to become a bank teller?

Yes, applicants must pass background and credit checks before being hired. Federal law bars banks from hiring people with certain convictions without FDIC consent. Financial institutions conduct these screening procedures to ensure the safety of customer funds, protect account data, and prevent internal fraud or theft at branch counters.

How is technology changing the bank teller job?

ATMs, mobile deposits, and online banking cut routine teller transactions across branch networks. However, complex transactions, fraud concerns, and personal service stay human. Tellers remain necessary for verifying suspicious items, resolving complicated account needs, and referring branch customers to bankers for loans or opening new accounts.

What career advancement opportunities exist for bank tellers?

Tellers can advance vertically to head teller, assistant branch manager, and branch manager positions. Tellers can also transition into horizontal roles within financial institutions, such as loan officer or customer service representative. Experience with transaction software, cash handling, and customer service provides a practical foundation for these banking roles.

Explore further

Related professions

In depth

All about bank teller

The background, context and details.

What a bank teller does

Bank tellers serve as the primary customer contact in retail banking facilities. They process deposits, withdrawals, account transfers, and loan payments. Tellers cash checks after verifying customer identity and checking available account balances. They also issue cashier checks and money orders for customer transactions. Beyond processing transactions, tellers answer customer questions about accounts and refer clients to bankers for loans or opening new accounts. Maintaining accuracy is essential, as tellers must count and balance their cash drawer at the start and conclusion of each shift.

Workplace environment and schedule

Tellers work in commercial banks, credit unions, savings banks, and bank branches inside grocery stores. The job requires sitting or standing at a service counter for long periods, with low overall physical demands. Tellers also receive training for robbery situations. Work schedules can be full time or part time. Shifts are mostly during the day, though some branches require evening hours and Saturday hours, with almost no night work. Remote work is not possible for teller duties because tellers handle cash directly at the branch.

Training and entry requirements

Most bank teller positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. New hires typically complete a few weeks of short-term on-the-job training paid by the employer. This training covers cash handling, banking transaction software, currency reporting rules, and fraud detection. New staff members often shadow experienced employees before handling transactions alone. Some workers pursue an optional two-year associate degree in business or finance to assist with promotions to branch management or banker roles. Federal law bars banks from hiring people with certain convictions without FDIC consent, so applicants must pass background and credit checks.

Career progression in banking

Starting as a bank teller offers a clear pathway into retail banking. With experience, a teller can advance to head teller, assistant branch manager, and branch manager. Tellers can also transition into horizontal roles such as loan officer or customer service representative within the financial sector.