How much does a bank teller make?
Answer: A typical bank teller in the United States makes $43,030 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 329,000 people work in this job. About the same as 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
Bank teller 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $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 |
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.
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 bank teller do?
Receive and pay out money. Keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institution’s various transactions.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
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?
Some “enhanced ATMs” are expected to spot counterfeit money—a task that human tellers may also do.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Office and Administrative Support 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/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