What Does a Bank Teller Do?

Bank tellers are typically the first point of interaction for customers as they enter the bank. Tellers verify the identity of customers and process requests for deposits to and withdrawals from patron accounts. They generate certified checks and money orders according to the specifications of customers. Some tellers exchange dollars for other currencies.

Bank tellers answer questions about bank products and services and direct customers to other staff for more complex bank transactions. They must count cash in their drawers as they begin their shift and reconcile remaining cash at the end of their shift to account accurately for deposits and dispersals.

Most tellers work in the branches of community and commercial banks. Some tellers work for credit unions.

Bank Teller Duties & Responsibilities

This job requires candidates to be able to perform duties that include the following:

• Count their drawer cash at the start of a shift
• Take cash, checks, debit cards, and other payment forms from customers
• Answer account-related questions for customers
• Prepare specialized types of funds for customers, including savings bonds, traveler's checks, and money orders
• Exchange customers' money for foreign currency
• Place customer orders for checks and bank cards
• Electronically record every transaction during their shift
• Count their cash drawer at the end of their shift and reconcile to the beginning balance

Bank tellers must safely and accurately handle customer funds by verifying identity and taking other actions to prevent errors or fraud. Head bank tellers manage the operations of bank tellers.

Bank Teller Salary

A bank teller's salary varies based on the geographical location, level of experience, type of employer, and other factors.

• Median Annual Salary: $32,620 ($15.68/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $41,220 ($19.81/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $24,660 ($11.85/hour)

Education & Training Requirements

The minimum education requirement for tellers is a high school degree, but tellers with an associate or bachelor's degree can advance more readily to assistant manager, personal banking, loan officer, and bank manager jobs.

• Relevant coursework: Coursework in business, finance, accounting, and economics is helpful for prospective bank tellers who take college courses. Most training for tellers is done on the job by managers and more experienced tellers.
• Customer service skills: Workers interested in becoming bank tellers should develop and showcase customer service and mathematics skills as well as an orientation towards detail and accuracy.

Bank Teller Skills & Competencies

Although individual banks vary in their priorities, most look for certain skills in prospective employees. These are the skills you must have or develop if you wish to get a job as a bank teller, and they are also the skills you should emphasize in both your application materials and your interview:

• Basic accounting: Bank tellers handle money and therefore must be able to keep track of numbers. Although most transactions are guided and tracked by computers, tellers still need to know what the figures should be so that they can recognize and respond to a problem if one occurs.
• Attention to detail: This is a big part of a bank teller's job, from handling money properly to keeping accurate records of transactions to following proper security protocols. A mistake could lead to a security breach or the appearance of irregularities in the accounts, and either could lead to a loss of public trust in the bank.
• Knowledge of financial software: Bank tellers must be able to use specialized financial software. Training may be available on the job, but understanding the software beforehand, is an advantage.
• Written and verbal communication: Tellers handle money, but they also handle people. Tellers must communicate clearly with both coworkers and customers, and be able to explain policies and procedures.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for bank tellers over the next decade relative to other occupations is much lower than the average for all occupations, driven by increased online banking activity, which has reduced the need for bank branches and bank tellers.

Employment is expected to decline by about 17% over the next 10 years, which is much lower than the average growth projected for all occupations. Other financial clerk jobs are projected to decline 5% between 2020 and 2030. These growth rates compare to the projected 8% growth for all occupations.

Work Environment

The majority of bank tellers work in bank branches for commercial banks, serving the general public.

Work Schedule

Most bank tellers work a 40-hour week.

Comparing Similar Jobs

People interested in working as a bank teller may also consider the following career
paths, listed with their median annual salaries:

• Bookkeeping clerk: $42,410
• Cashier: $25,020
• Loan officer: $63,960