How much does a bank teller make?
a year · about $21 an hour
A typical bank teller in the United States makes $43,030 a year, about $21 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They count the cash in their drawer, help customers deposit money or cash checks, answer account questions, and enter each transaction on a computer. At closing, they count the drawer again and make sure it balances.
Did you know? Some “enhanced ATMs” are expected to spot counterfeit money—a task that human tellers may also do.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $34,360 and $49,680How do you become one?
In the U.S., you can usually start after high school or an equivalent diploma; banks may check your background, and college is not usually needed. Once hired, an experienced teller trains you to balance cash, check signatures, and use the bank’s software.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experienced tellers may earn more as head tellers because they take on extra responsibility. Pay also varies by employer and location, and the hours someone works can affect their total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($47,670), lowest in West Virginia ($34,560).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $34,360 | $43,030 | $49,680 | about 329,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $47,670 | about 9,000 |
| New Jersey | $47,210 | about 10,000 |
| California | $46,900 | about 25,000 |
| Massachusetts | $46,900 | about 7,000 |
| Alaska | $46,770 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Receive and pay out money. Keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institution’s various transactions.
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/office-and-administrative-support/print/tellers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-3071.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY