
A retail cashier or simply a cashier is a person who handles the
cash register
A cash register, sometimes called a till or automated money handling system, is a mechanical or electronic device for registering and calculating transactions at a point of sale. It is usually attached to a Cash register#Cash drawer, drawer fo ...
at various locations such as the
point of sale
The point of sale (POS) or point of purchase (POP) is the time and place at which a retail transaction is completed. At the point of sale, the merchant calculates the amount owed by the customer, indicates that amount, may prepare an invoice f ...
in a
retail store. The most common use of the title is in the retail industry, but this job title is also used in the context of accountancy for the person responsible for receiving and disbursing money or within
branch banking in the United Kingdom for the job known in the United States as a
bank teller.
Retail

In a shop, a cashier (or checkout operator) is an employee who scans the goods through a cash register, that the
customer
In sales, commerce, and economics, a customer (sometimes known as a Client (business), client, buyer, or purchaser) is the recipient of a Good (economics), good, service (economics), service, product (business), product, or an Intellectual prop ...
wishes to purchase. In most modern stores, the items are scanned by a
barcode positioned on the item with the use of a
laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. The word ''laser'' originated as an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radi ...
scanner. After all of the items have been scanned, the cashier then collects the payment (in cash, check, and/or by credit/debit card) for the goods or services exchanged, records the amount received, makes change, and issues receipts or tickets to customers. Cashiers will record amounts received and may prepare reports of transactions, reads and record totals shown on cash register tape and verify against cash on hand. A cashier may be required to know value and features of items for which money is received; may cash checks; may give cash refunds or issue credit memorandums to customers for returned merchandise; and may operate ticket-dispensing machines and the like.
In one form or another, cashiers have been around for thousands of years. In many
businesses, such as
grocery stores, the cashier is considered a "stepping stone" position. Many employers require employees to be cashiers in order to move up to customer service or other positions.
Cashiers are at risk of
repetitive strain injuries due to the repeated movements often necessary to do the job, such as entering information on a keypad, moving product over a scanner, and standing on one's feet for several hours.
Demographics
In the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, the majority of cashiers are women. According to ''
Fox Business'', as of 2016, an estimated 70% of cashiers are female.
Job outlook
In the United States, the employed number of cashiers is expected to decline. From 2023 to 2033, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a unit of the United States Department of Labor. It is the principal fact-finding agency for the government of the United States, U.S. government in the broad field of labor economics, labor economics and ...
expects an 11% job outlook decline.
Salary
In 2022, the median salary in the United States for a cashier was $28,240.
Alternative types of cashiers
Accountancy
A less-current meaning of the term referred responsible for receiving and disbursing money in a business. In a non-retail business, this would be a position of significant responsibility. With an ever-larger proportion of transactions being done using cash substitutes (such as
checks,
credit cards, and
debit card
A debit card, also known as a check card or bank card, is a payment card that can be used in place of cash to make purchases. The card usually consists of the bank's name, a card number, the cardholder's name, and an expiration date, on either ...
s), the amount of cash handled by such employees has declined, and this usage of the word "cashier" has been largely supplanted by the title
comptroller
A comptroller (pronounced either the same as ''controller'' or as ) is a management-level position responsible for supervising the quality of accountancy, accounting and financial reporting of an organization. A financial comptroller is a senior- ...
.
Retail banking
In a
bank branch in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, a cashier is someone who enables customers to interact with their accounts, such as by accepting and disbursing money and accepting checks. In the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, the job title is
bank teller.
Virtual cashier
Virtual cashiers are professionals who manage point-of-sale interactions remotely via live digital interfaces, replacing the traditional in-person role.
Percy introduced this concept in Canada which became controversial.
Notable cashiers
Many notable public figures have worked as cashiers, typically before beginning gaining public notoriety. However, several have chosen to work as cashiers during or after their public careers.
*
Cardi B - Amish Market
*
Nick Cannon -
Wienerschnitzel
*
Steve Carell -
Store 24
*
Eva Longoria -
Wendy's
*
Geoffrey Owens -
Trader Joe's
*
JD Vance
James David Vance (born James Donald Bowman, August2, 1984) is an American politician, author, attorney, and Marine Corps veteran who is the 50th vice president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republic ...
- Dillman Foods
*
Ming-Na Wen - Unnamed (family restaurant)
Fictional cashiers
*
Flo, in commercials for Progressive Insurance
* Lois, in the television series ''
Malcolm in the Middle
''Malcolm in the Middle'' is an American television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series premiered on January 9, 2000, and ended on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons consisting of 151 episodes.
The ...
''
* Irene Morrison, in the film ''
Down to the Bone''
* Howard Prince, in the film ''
The Front'', played by Woody Allen
* Ted, in the film ''
Ted'', voiced by
Seth MacFarlane
*
Squidward Tentacles, in the animated TV show ''
SpongeBob SquarePants
''SpongeBob SquarePants'' is an American animated television series, animated comedy television series created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. It first aired as a sneak peek after the 1999 Kids' C ...
''
* Romy White, in the film ''
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion''
* Each member of
The Tenderloins have posed as cashiers for their show ''
Impractical Jokers''
See also
*
Cashier balancing
*
Legal cashier
*
Chief Cashier of the Bank of England
*
Right to sit
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Banking occupations
Personal care and service occupations
Sales occupations