What Does A Teller Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Tellers

Tellers receive and pay out money. Keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institution's various transactions.

Salary
$32960
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth
Low

Personality


What they do

Tellers receive and pay out money. Keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institution's various transactions.

  • Balance currency, coins, and checks in cash drawers at ends of shifts and calculate daily transactions, using computers, calculators, or adding machines.
  • Receive checks and cash for deposit, verify amounts, and check the accuracy of deposit slips.
  • Monitor bank vaults to ensure cash balances are correct.
  • Cash checks and pay out money after verifying that signatures are correct, that written and numerical amounts agree, and that accounts have sufficient funds.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Tellers receive checks and cash for deposit, verify amounts, and check the accuracy of deposit slips. They enter customers’ transactions into computers to record transactions and issue computer-generated receipts.

A typical day for a Teller will also include:

  • Examine checks for endorsements and verify other information, such as dates, bank names, identification of the persons receiving payments, and the legality of the documents.
  • Cash checks and pay out money after verifying that signatures are correct, that written and numerical amounts agree, and that accounts have sufficient funds.
  • Monitor bank vaults to ensure cash balances are correct.
  • Answer telephones and assist customers with their questions.
  • Process transactions, such as term deposits, retirement savings plan contributions, automated teller transactions, night deposits, and mail deposits.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Tellers also count, verify, and post armored car deposits. They may also prepare work schedules for staff.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Tellers quote unit exchange rates, following daily international rate sheets or computer displays. They might also resolve problems or discrepancies concerning customers’ accounts.

In addition, they obtain and process information required for the provision of services, such as opening accounts, savings plans, and purchasing bonds.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them order a supply of cash to meet daily needs.

To some Tellers, it is also their responsibility to compose, type, and mail customer statements and other correspondence related to issues such as discrepancies and outstanding unpaid items.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

57% said they were satisfied with their job and 33% said they found their job meaningful.


Harriet

I worked as a bank teller for five years. My typical day includes making and confirming morning counts, checking on all computers if they worked properly, talking to customers, and depositing and withdrawing money.

Later in the day, I had to write a report for my supervisor, which would also run through to my branch manager. The report had to detail any irregularities noticed throughout the day; these could include inaccurate deposits or withdrawal requests, group deposits to joint accounts, and fake currency incidences.

The work is monotonous for the most part but calls on critical analytical skills and decision-making capability on any absurdities. It is also essential to have excellent customer service skills while working in this role.

I loved this job because it allowed me to speak to customers directly, it’s only misgiving, however, was the constant threat of automation and redundancy.


Pros

Suitable for people who like to follow routines.

Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

One of the lowest paying jobs.

Demand for this career is growing very slowly.

How much do they make

Average salary

$32960 per year

Average hourly wage

$16 per hour

Entry-level Tellers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $24,660 to $28,080 per year or $12 to $14 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $41,220 $20
Senior (Top 25%) $37,780 $18
Median $32,620 $16
Junior (Bottom 25%) $28,080 $14
No experience (Bottom 10%) $24,660 $12

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Tellers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Local Government $38720 $18.62
Monetary Authorities-Central Bank $38560 $18.54
Spectator Sports $36640 $17.62
Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities $36560 $17.58
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities $35870 $17.24
Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services $35150 $16.90
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals $35050 $16.85
Management of Companies and Enterprises $35020 $16.84
Gambling Industries $33910 $16.30
Insurance Carriers $33770 $16.23

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Tellers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Tellers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities 401800 $32930 $15.83
Nondepository Credit Intermediation 7780 $30870 $14.84
Management of Companies and Enterprises 4760 $35020 $16.84
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities 4490 $35870 $17.24
Investigation and Security Services 1670 $32370 $15.56
Employment Services 1040 $33070 $15.90
Spectator Sports 430 $36640 $17.62
Monetary Authorities-Central Bank 350 $38560 $18.54
Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities 230 $36560 $17.58
Local Government 180 $38720 $18.62

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
20%

40 hours
69%

More than 40 hours
11%

Working schedule

92%

8%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
10%

Every day
87%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
12%

Every day
88%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
5%

Every day
91%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
26%

Once a year
41%

Once a month
7%

Once a week
19%

Every day
8%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
2%

Slightly competitive
29%

Moderately competitive
24%

Highly competitive
27%

Extremely competitive
18%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
7%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
90%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
94%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
4%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
85%

Once a year or more
9%

Once a month or more
5%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
1%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
86%

Once a year or more
11%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
2%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
2%

High School Diploma or equivalent
73%

Post-Secondary Certificate
3%

Some College Courses
9%

Associate’s Degree or similar
5%

Bachelor’s Degree
8%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Banking and Financial Support Services

A program that prepares individuals to perform a wide variety of customer services in banks, insurance agencies, savings and loan companies, and related enterprises. Includes instruction in communications and public relations skills, business equipment operation, and technical skills applicable to the methods and operations of specific financial or insurance services.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
48%

1 month
5%

1 to 3 months
17%

3 to 6 months
4%

6 months to 1 year
18%

1 to 2 years
8%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 6 years
0%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
68%

1 to 3 months
19%

3 to 6 months
8%

6 months to 1 year
3%

1 to 2 years
1%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Organizer

People with this personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.

The Builder
38%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
19%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
14%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
29%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
67%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
95%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
43%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
48%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
33%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
86%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
71%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
52%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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