Teller

Career Overview

Bank tellers handle most of a bank's routine transactions every day. They cash checks, accept deposits, process loan payments and handle withdrawals. Tellers also prepare certified bank checks for customers, and some banks also handle utility payments and sell postage as a service to customers. Tellers are responsible for balancing their cash drawer every day.

Education

Some tellers are hired with just a high school diploma. Some hold associate's degrees in finance or a related field, and some have a bachelor's degree in business administration, finance or accounting and take a teller's job just to break into the business.

Employment

There were over 600,000 tellers working in the United States in 2006. Most were employed by banks, savings and loan institutions and credit unions.

Job Outlook

The Labor Department projects a growth rate of about 13% in this profession for the decade 2006 - 2016. However the economic downturn that began in 2007 still lingers, and banks are closing branch offices. Several dozen banks have closed altogether in 2008 and 2009. Automated services will also take their toll on this profession.

Salary

Lowest 10% $17,800

Median Salary $23,610

Highest 10% $31,900

Source: U.S. Department of Labor