What Tellers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Tellers this way: "Receive and pay out money. Keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institution's various transactions."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Balance currency, coin, and checks in cash drawers at ends of shifts and calculate daily transactions, using computers, calculators, or adding machines"; "Cash checks and pay out money after verifying that signatures are correct, that written and numerical amounts agree, and that accounts have sufficient funds"; "Receive checks and cash for deposit, verify amounts, and check accuracy of deposit slips"; "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"; "Enter customers' transactions into computers to record transactions and issue computer-generated receipts".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Tellers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 339,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 294,500 in 2035, a decrease of 44,700 jobs (-13.2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 26,800 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 7.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $43,030, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Tellers earn the most
Across the 5 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $40,925 in Illinois to $46,943 in California, a gap of $6,019 (1.15 times). 3 of those 5 states average above the BLS national median of $43,030 and 2 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 24,510, which is 21.9% of the 112,060 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 23,560.
Highest-paying states
California ($46,943), New Jersey ($46,527) and New York ($45,810) lead the ranking, while Illinois ($40,925) and Indiana ($42,580) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Tellers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 5 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 Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $15,715. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $2,800 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 4 of the 5 markets and falls short in 1. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 38.5% and 86.0% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Tellers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-3000) include Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks, Billing and Posting Clerks and Bill and Account Collectors.
Frequently asked questions about Tellers
How much do Tellers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $43,030. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $40,925 to $46,943.
Which state pays Tellers the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $46,943. New Jersey is next at $46,527.
Is Tellers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 13.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 26,800 openings a year.
What education do Tellers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Tellers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $15,715 on a median wage of $44,540.