How much does a cashier make?
Answer: A typical cashier in the United States makes $32,880 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 3.1 million people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Cashier pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $24,530 | $32,880 | $40,410 | about 3.1 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $38,880 | about 6,000 |
| Washington | $38,720 | about 61,000 |
| California | $37,100 | about 336,000 |
| Colorado | $36,870 | about 52,000 |
| Hawaii | $36,780 | about 11,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, cashier pay can vary with experience, location, the kind of employer, and extra tasks or responsibility. The number of hours worked changes total earnings, and schedules may include evenings, weekends, or overnight shifts.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a cashier do?
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. Excludes “Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers” (41-2012).
What's a typical day like?
Cashiers scan items, total bills, take payments, handle returns, and may check IDs for age-restricted goods. Between customers, they might bag purchases, answer questions, restock shelves, or tidy the checkout area.
How to get this job
In the United States, cashier jobs usually do not require a particular level of schooling, though employers may prefer a high school diploma; basic math and customer-service skills help. Employers train new cashiers on the job, often for a few weeks, teaching them to use registers and scanners.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling.
Did you know?
In the United States, cashiers spend an average of 93% of their workday standing—so a checkout shift can mean hours on their feet!
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Sales jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/cashiers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/41-2011.00
- www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/cashiers.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY