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What is a cashier associate and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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A cashier associate handles financial transactions for customers in a retail store. They scan items, accept payments, and provide change. They also answer questions and handle returns or exchanges. Cashier associates must be knowledgeable about store policies and products, as well as operating cash registers and point-of-sale systems. They may work in retail settings such as grocery stores, department stores, or convenience stores. Success in this role requires communication skills and attention to detail.

ScoreCashier AssociateUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $29,328

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.3

Growth rate -10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.95%

Asian 7.58%

Black or African American 10.07%

Hispanic or Latino 20.27%

Unknown 5.23%

White 55.91%

Gender

female 69.32%

male 30.68%

Age - 28
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 28
Stress level
5.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
3.7

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a cashier associate?

Pros

  • Building relationships with regular customers

  • Opportunities to earn tips in some settings

  • Possibility for flexible scheduling and part-time work

  • Potential for advancement within the company

  • Often requires minimal education or experience

Cons

  • Low pay and limited benefits in some settings

  • Risk of theft or fraud from customers or coworkers

  • Pressure to meet sales goals or quotas

  • Limited opportunities for creativity or decision-making

  • Limited opportunities for career growth outside of the retail industry

Cashier associate career paths

Key steps to become a cashier associate

  1. Explore cashier associate education requirements

    Most common cashier associate degrees

    High School Diploma

    39.1 %

    Bachelor's

    28.4 %

    Associate

    19.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific cashier associate skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Safety Hazards22.41%
    Front End22.06%
    Store Management21.15%
    Sales Floor10.47%
    POS8.62%
  3. Complete relevant cashier associate training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cashiers associate learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cashier associate based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cashier associate resumes.
  4. Research cashier associate duties and responsibilities

    • Manage employees by making schedules, doing payroll, and maintain an all around comfortable working environment.
    • Operate POS cash register for telecommunication services.
    • Lead overall management operations of family-style Italian restaurant that recently celebrate 4th year of success in business for second store location.
    • Supervise the activities of checkout stations; created/distribute cashier schedules and till allocation.
  5. Prepare your cashier associate resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cashier associate resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a cashier associate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable cashier associate resume templates

    Build a professional cashier associate resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your cashier associate resume.
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    Cashier Associate Resume
  6. Apply for cashier associate jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a cashier associate job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first cashier associate job

Zippi

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Average cashier associate salary

The average cashier associate salary in the United States is $29,328 per year or $14 per hour. Cashier associate salaries range between $24,000 and $35,000 per year.

Average cashier associate salary
$29,328 Yearly
$14.10 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do cashiers associate rate their job?

4/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

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3 stars

2 stars

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Cashier associate reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Pros

A cashier I get to count, hold conversations, clean my area,stock my area

Cons

Only thing I dislike doing is being the bad guy when someone is shoplifting


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4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2021
Pros

Learn usefully ways to improve health with food viewed as medicine.

Cons

Pretty new field


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2021
Pros

I like mostly that I work with team oriented people. Some people that care and will help and that help others whether it's work related or not. That have good employee morale amongst each other not necessarily management but amongst each other.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.