Occupation Profile for Cashiers
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. Usually involves use of electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. Often involved in processing credit or debit card transactions and validating checks.
Signficant Points
- Cashiers need little or no work experience, and are trained on the job.
- Overall employment is projected to decline; however, job growth will be strong for gaming cashiers.
- Opportunities for full-time and part-time jobs are expected to be good because of the need to replace the large number of workers who leave cashier jobs.
- Many cashiers start at minimum wage.
Earnings
Many cashiers start at the Federal minimum wage, which was $5.85 an hour in 2007. Some State laws set the minimum wage higher, and establishments must pay at least that amount. Wages tend to be higher in areas where there is intense competition for workers.
Median hourly earnings of cashiers, except gaming in May 2006 were $8.08. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.99 and $9.44 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.18, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $11.64 an hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of cashiers in May 2006 were:
| Grocery stores | $8.20 |
| Health and personal care stores | 8.15 |
| Department stores | 8.10 |
| Other general merchandise stores | 8.09 |
| Gasoline stations | 7.82 |
Median hourly earnings for gaming cashiers in May 2006 were $9.94. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.16 and $12.22 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.98, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $14.50 an hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of gaming cashiers in May 2006 were:
| Casino hotels | $11.64 |
| Traveler accommodation | 11.61 |
| Local government | 9.50 |
| Gambling industries | 9.45 |
Benefits for full-time cashiers tend to be better than those for cashiers working part time. In addition to typical benefits, those working in retail establishments often receive discounts on purchases, and cashiers in restaurants may receive free or low-cost meals. Some employers also offer employee stock option plans and education reimbursement plans.
Job Outlook
Overall cashier employment is expected to decline, but job growth will be strong for gaming cashiers. Opportunities for full-time and part-time jobs are expected to be good because of the need to replace the large number of workers who leave this occupation.
Employment change. Employment of cashiers is expected to decline 3 percent between 2006 and 2016. The rising popularity of purchasing goods online will negatively affect the employment growth of cashiers, although many customers still prefer the traditional method of purchasing goods at stores. Also, the growing use of self-service check-out systems in retail trade, especially at grocery stores, should have an adverse effect on employment of cashiers. These self-checkout systems may outnumber checkouts with cashiers in the future in many establishments. The impact on job growth for cashiers will largely depend on the public’s acceptance of this self-service technology.
Job growth will be strong for gaming cashiers as more States legalize casinos and gaming becomes more popular. An increasing number of gaming venues will generate new jobs. However, many casinos are finding ways to use less cash in their operations, particularly the slot machines, which now generate tickets that can be accepted by other slot machines.
Job prospects. Opportunities for full-time and part-time cashier jobs should continue to be good because of the need to replace the large number of workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. There is substantial movement into and out of the occupation because education and training requirements are minimal and the predominance of part-time jobs is attractive to people seeking a short-term source of income rather than a full-time career. Historically, workers under the age of 25 have filled many of the openings in this occupation. In 2006, almost half of all cashiers were 24 years of age or younger.
Because cashiers are needed in businesses and organizations of all types and sizes, job opportunities are found throughout the country. But job opportunities may vary from year to year because the strength of the economy affects demand for cashiers. Companies tend to hire more cashiers when the economy is strong. Seasonal demand for cashiers also causes fluctuations in employment.
Employment
Cashiers held about 3.5 million jobs in 2006. Of these, 27,000 were employed as gaming change persons and booth cashiers. Although cashiers are employed in almost every industry, 26 percent of all jobs were in food and beverage stores. Gasoline stations, department stores, other retail establishments, and restaurants also employed large numbers of these workers. Outside of retail establishments, many cashiers worked in amusement, gambling, and recreation industries, local government, and personal and laundry services.