Bank tellers handle customer transactions, manage cash, and process deposits and withdrawals. The work is customer-facing, detail-oriented, and requires strong math and communication skills. You can start with a high school diploma and learn on the job.
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As a teller, you work directly with customers to process financial transactions including deposits, withdrawals, and payments. You handle cash and verify amounts for accuracy. You answer customer questions about accounts and services, explain banking procedures, and help resolve issues. You use computers to record transactions and access account information. You monitor transactions to ensure they comply with banking regulations and security standards. You communicate with supervisors about discrepancies or customer concerns. Attention to detail and accuracy are essential because even small errors affect customer accounts and bank records.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Tellers earn a median of $43,030 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 29,800 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most teller positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers prefer some college coursework or customer service experience, but it is not required to start. Banks typically provide on-the-job training that covers their systems, procedures, and products. You will learn how to use their specific software and how to handle cash and security protocols. Training usually takes a few weeks. Strong math skills, active listening, and the ability to stay calm under pressure help you succeed in the role.
Most tellers enter through direct hire and on-the-job training, so your path is straightforward. If you want to map out next steps and explore how this role fits your goals, Pathly can map the teller path that fits you with your counselor to build a plan.
You are detail-oriented and prefer structured environments with clear rules and procedures. You enjoy working with people and solving problems methodically. You value accuracy and take pride in getting things right.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).