Tellers are responsible for performing a variety of banking transactions such as cashing checks, accepting deposits, processing withdrawals and receiving loan payments. While these are the primary responsibilities of tellers, additional duties may include selling travelers' checks or savings bonds, processing payments for credit cards and filling out paper work. Excellent communication skills are essential to this position, as tellers interact with customers on a daily basis and answer any questions they may have. Attention to detail is another skill highly valued in this position, since working with and counting money is the main responsibility of a teller.
Education and Training
While a college degree isn't necessary to work as a teller, a high school diploma is an absolute must when applying for such a position. College graduates can also work as tellers in an entry level position in order to gain banking experience. This is a great way to eventually be promoted to professional positions with advanced experience levels. It is common for tellers to receive on the job training as they become acquainted with the procedures of working in a bank and learn how to deal with a variety of customers.
People with previous customer service and cash handling experience are more likely to obtain positions as tellers, since these are the primary duties of the position. If someone does not have experience in these fields, having knowledge about computers and spreadsheets, as well as word processing, will help prepare an individual for working as a teller.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of tellers is expected to grow at a rate of 6% through 2018, which is a growth that is considered to be slower than average. In an effort to increase customers, many banks are developing new locations in convenient areas such as grocery stores and increasing business hours during the day and on weekends. While this effort will increase job opportunities for tellers, it is a change that will mostly have an impact on tellers who work part time rather than full time.
Salary
Most tellers can expect to earn between $20,000-$25,000 per year. The average salary for a teller in 2009 was $24,780. Average salaries will vary depending on experience and skills, with the most experienced tellers being on the upper end of the pay range.
Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
The salary range for Teller begins around $18,200 and usually tops out around $35,520, with a mean in the neighborhood of $26,860. This is about 62% lower than the national average for annual salaries.
In order to qualify for most Teller positions, you typically need to have a High School Diploma or higher.
Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
The growth outlook for Teller careers is estimated at about 6% while the estimated growth for all career fields over that same span is at about 10.12%. Over the next six years, Teller jobs are expected to grow at a 69% lower rate than the national average for annual salaries.