Job description
Tellers are typically the first point of contact for customers in banks. They process routine monetary transactions, offer and explain bank services, and direct clients to appropriate staff and departments. Tellers prepare specialised funds like cashier's cheques, exchange currencies and order bank cards and cheques for customers.
Duties
- Count cash in the teller station drawer at the start and end of shift, making sure accounts balance
- Accept cheques, cash and other forms of payment from customers
- Verify customer's identity and account status for every transaction
- Answer customer's questions about their account or transactions
- Record all transactions for the day electronically and on hard copy forms when required
- Order bank cards and cheques for customers
- Offer and explain bank services, and refer clients to the appropriate staff and departments as needed
- Exchange money from one currency to another
- Prepare specialised funds, including cashier's cheques and savings bonds, for customers
- Identify and resolve issues with customer accounts, bank balances and other transactions
- Perform other clerical, counting and inventory tasks as requested
Skills and qualities
Job outlook
Projected growth
-8%
New jobs
-41.8k
Automation risk
98%
Career progression
As tellers gain experience, they can advance in their bank to head teller or another supervisory position. Keep in mind that online banking has contributed to a decrease in available teller jobs.
With additional education, you can transition to more lucrative banking and financial careers. Options include loan officer, accounting clerk and personal financial advisor.
Working conditions
Average hours
40h/ week
Typical schedule
Full Time
Standard business hours
Most tellers work full time in commercial bank branches, typically during normal business hours. Depending on the institution, your schedule may include some rotating evening or weekend shifts.
A job as a teller requires consistent concentration and accuracy in all transactions, which some workers may find stressful. You will also spend most of the day standing at a service desk.
Salary
Bottom 10%
$22k
Median
$29k
Top 10%
$39k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
Qualifications and training
Education level
High school
On-the-job training
Study time
1 month
Most tellers only need a high school diploma, though you may consider pursuing an undergraduate degree to assist a future banking career path.
Tellers typically receive on-the-job training from an experienced or head teller. Orientation lasts about one month and covers balancing cash drawers, verifying ID and signatures, and using the bank software.
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
