What Cashiers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Cashiers this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Receive payment by cash, check, credit cards, vouchers, or automatic debits"; "Issue receipts, refunds, credits, or change due to customers"; "Greet customers entering establishments"; "Establish or identify prices of goods, services, or admission, and tabulate bills, using calculators, cash registers, or optical price scanners"; "Answer customers' questions, and provide information on procedures or policies".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Cashiers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 3,106,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 2,905,700 in 2035, a decrease of 200,600 jobs (-6.5%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 521,300 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 16.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $32,880, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Cashiers earn the most
Across the 41 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $26,056 in Mississippi to $39,632 in Washington, a gap of $13,576 (1.52 times). 16 of those 41 states average above the BLS national median of $32,880 and 25 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 334,460, which is 8.6% of the 3,903,280 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 247,770.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($39,632), California ($37,431) and Colorado ($36,748) lead the ranking, while Mississippi ($26,056) and Louisiana ($26,312) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Cashiers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 90 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $9,908. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $11,243 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 70 of the 90 markets and falls short in 20. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 38.7% and 110.5% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Cashiers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (41-2000) include Counter and Rental Clerks, Parts Salespersons and Retail Salespersons.
Frequently asked questions about Cashiers
What is the national median wage for Cashiers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $32,880. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $26,056 to $39,632.
Which state pays Cashiers the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $39,632. California is next at $37,431.
What is the job outlook for Cashiers?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 6.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 521,300 openings a year.
What education do Cashiers need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Cashiers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $9,908 on a median wage of $35,470.