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Job outlook for retail cashiers in the United States
Retail cashier job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected retail cashier job growth rate is -10% from 2018-2028.
About -335,700 new jobs for retail cashiers are projected over the next decade.
Retail cashier salaries have increased 24% for retail cashiers in the last 5 years.
There are over 3,194,362 retail cashiers currently employed in the United States.
There are 440,543 active retail cashier job openings in the US.
The average retail cashier salary is $29,009.
Are retail cashier jobs in demand?
Retail cashier job and salary trends over time
Retail cashier jobs over time
Retail cashier job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,194,362 | 0.95% |
| 2020 | 3,206,904 | 0.95% |
| 2019 | 3,469,069 | 1.04% |
| 2018 | 3,508,790 | 1.06% |
| 2017 | 3,443,772 | 1.04% |
Average retail cashier salary over time
Retail cashier salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,009 | $13.95 | +5.8% |
| 2024 | $27,421 | $13.18 | +5.4% |
| 2023 | $26,006 | $12.50 | +6.7% |
| 2022 | $24,383 | $11.72 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | $23,397 | $11.25 | +4.5% |
Retail cashier jobs by state
Most common states for retail cashiers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 881 | 66% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 843 | 63% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 566 | 59% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 3,988 | 58% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 3,180 | 57% |
| 6 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 2,536 | 57% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,781 | 57% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 420 | 56% |
| 9 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 3,727 | 55% |
| 10 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 3,667 | 55% |
| 11 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 5,362 | 54% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 6,785 | 53% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 4,749 | 53% |
| 14 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 2,654 | 53% |
| 15 | Vermont | 623,657 | 329 | 53% |
| 16 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 6,006 | 52% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1,613 | 52% |
| 18 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 5,256 | 51% |
| 19 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 2,783 | 50% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 520 | 50% |
Most common cities for retail cashiers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | 3 | 12% | $34,770 |
| 2 | Roseville | 4 | 11% | $31,480 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $29,650 |
| 4 | Trenton | 5 | 6% | $31,393 |
| 5 | Eagan | 4 | 6% | $31,380 |
| 6 | Eden Prairie | 4 | 6% | $31,356 |
| 7 | Apple Valley | 3 | 6% | $31,329 |
| 8 | Bloomington | 4 | 5% | $31,365 |
| 9 | Saint Paul | 7 | 2% | $31,454 |
| 10 | Boston | 7 | 1% | $34,742 |
| 11 | San Jose | 7 | 1% | $36,288 |
| 12 | San Francisco | 6 | 1% | $36,476 |
| 13 | Minneapolis | 4 | 1% | $31,447 |
| 14 | Portland | 4 | 1% | $34,179 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 5 | 0% | $34,942 |
| 16 | Chicago | 4 | 0% | $29,338 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $31,319 |
Retail Cashier job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of retail cashier experts
University of Northwestern Ohio
Valparaiso University
Nazareth College of Rochester
Florida State University
Saint Xavier University - Chicago, IL
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Mount Union
Franklin and Marshall College
California State University Channel Islands
University of North Carolina at Asheville
What Retail Cashier skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Weiss Ph.D., P.E.: There is a lot of advice I would share with a new graduate. This includes the following:
Never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. Every situation you find yourself in will provide learning opportunities.
Although it's important to learn when to say no, be very careful when turning down an opportunity. You never know what doors will open when you say yes to something.
Find and develop a unique skill set or ability to set yourself apart in the office.
Always behave in a professional manner and maintain good relationships with other engineers you work with or have encountered (even when switching jobs for any reason)
What will help Retail Cashiers increase their earning potential?
Peter Weiss Ph.D., P.E.: There is a lot of advice I would share with a new graduate. This includes the following:
Never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. Every situation you find yourself in will provide learning opportunities.
Although it's important to learn when to say no, be very careful when turning down an opportunity. You never know what doors will open when you say yes to something.
Find and develop a unique skill set or ability to set yourself apart in the office.
Always behave in a professional manner and maintain good relationships with other engineers you work with or have encountered (even when switching jobs for any reason)
What general advice would you give to a Retail Cashier?
Scott Lail PhD, MBA, CPA, CFE, CGMA, SPHR: There are some things you can do to help maximize your salary potential. Some of
these require more effort than others, but include:
Have professional-appearing resumes, cover letters, references, and other
requested documents that showcase your qualifications for each specific position
that you apply. The sooner you can convey your qualifications and make the
connection between your qualifications and a specific position’s needs, the better
positioned you are when you start the selection and salary offering/negotiation
process
Seek out external sources (such as salary guides) to get an understanding of the
salary ranges for the type of positions you are applying to have a comparison
point. Many salary guides can be adjusted for location to help account for
changes in cost of living
Examine job postings for similar positions from other organizations in the same
general area to get an idea of the salary and other benefits that are being offered
to have for comparison purposes
Review and/or inquire about how the current opening you may be applying for
typically progresses into other opportunities for growth and the timeline for that
growth. This could help in balancing an immediate salary offering for a first
position with what should be expected to be received after a 1-2 year period to
get more of a yearly average. The faster the opportunity for advancement, the
more impact this could have on maximizing overall salary potential
What Retail Cashier skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Scott Lail PhD, MBA, CPA, CFE, CGMA, SPHR: Some skills that will become more important will be very specific to a certain role. However,
some of the more general skills that will impact most roles to at least some degree will
include:
Being proficient with technology and keeping updated with the latest technical tools
Knowing how to utilize and interpret data into useful and reliable information
Communicating in ways that are respectful, while also efficient and effective
Showing flexibility in regards to working with people and with processes
Developing self-management skills, which will help deal with stress and build up
resilience/determination to succeed
Respecting personal time
What will help Retail Cashiers increase their earning potential?
Meagan Glasco M.S., M.R.: I encourage graduates to connect with professionals in their field through LinkedIn, networking events, and/or alumni connections at their schools. Graduates can initiate conversations and schedule coffee or Zoom meetings to learn about roles in their industry of choice. Engaging with professionals currently working in graduates’ industry of choice will provide invaluable insight into essential skills, refine their career interests, and expand their network. The opportunity to hear real-life experiences shared by professionals is irreplaceable for graduates beginning their careers.
Jon-Paul McCool
Associate Professor of Geography; Environmental Science Program CoordinatorValparaiso University
Natural Resources Conservation And Research
What general advice would you give to a Retail Cashier?
Jon-Paul McCool: In terms of technical skills, the ability to utilize GIS for more than basic mapping. The ability to do more in depth analytical processes and to utilize the mobile components to the software. However, employers are stressing the need for new employees to have drive and individual initiative. Soft skills associated with independence, and the ability to learn on your own are going to be essential.
What Retail Cashier skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jon-Paul McCool: It is important to remember that the only person who can push your career forward is you. You have to go to places and events to get exposure to opportunities and you have to be willing to potentially move and learn new things. You really have to want to move forward with your career and you have to take a vested interest in it by pursuing additional learning opportunities such as workshops, joining professional organizations and attending meetings, volunteering, etc. A degree alone only distinguishes you from those who didn't graduate. How are you going to stand out compared to the thousands of others graduating across the country with the same major?
Timothy Kneeland
Professor and Chair History, Politics, and LawNazareth College of Rochester
History
What general advice would you give to a Retail Cashier?
Timothy Kneeland: Your resume should be as thorough as possible so that you can advocate for the highest salary in your range. Be sure to weed out things on your resume that do not fit the job you are seeking. Once you are hired, make yourself indispensable, and prepare for your biannual or annual review by preparing a list of accomplishments. Sometimes your supervisors are distracted and do not know about all your efforts. You need to remind them in a friendly and professional manner.
What will help Retail Cashiers increase their earning potential?
Timothy Kneeland: Your resume should be as thorough as possible so that you can advocate for the highest salary in your range. Be sure to weed out things on your resume that do not fit the job you are seeking. Once you are hired, make yourself indispensable, and prepare for your biannual or annual review by preparing a list of accomplishments. Sometimes your supervisors are distracted and do not know about all your efforts. You need to remind them in a friendly and professional manner.
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.
Assistant Department Chair and Executive Director, Center for Human Resource ManagementFlorida State University
Department of Management and the Center for Human Resource Management
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Retail Cashiers?
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.: As jobs become more complex and require additional knowledge and skills, more advanced qualifications are becoming more the norm. However, this will largely be determined by the type of work a job prospect is seeking. Professional and technical positions often require advanced certifications, licenses, or degrees in certain areas such as a certified public accountant or a certified professional in human resources or a course in SQL. In order to be competitive in a post-pandemic job market, job seekers should research the field(s) of interest to understand what would be considered minimum requirements for a job to evaluate if they should invest in additional licensure or preparation.
Margie Bernard MBA
Faculty - Graduate Healthcare AdministrationSaint Xavier University - Chicago, IL
Graham School of Management MBA Program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Retail Cashier job market given the pandemic?
Margie Bernard MBA: Because our COVID-19 pandemic is the worst challenge now facing Americans, our U.S. health care industry is transforming all systems and staff to better meet diverse patient population needs today. Across the U.S., students should expect that demand for qualified health care professionals and leaders will increase 17% to 24% yearly through 2030 since the supply of talented team members is shrinking due to retirements.
It's important to know that 30% of individuals now living in our country will be age 65 or older in the next seven years. This segment of our society will require truly compassionate teams of medical assistants, therapists, nurses, pharmacists, doctors, financial personnel and leaders who can seamlessly come together to deliver community-based care. Children and adults will need expedited team support to access timely appointments for wellness exams and treatment of pre-existing conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. Across the U.S., we will see a 56% jump in patients newly diagnosed with all types of cancer in the next 10 years.
These demographic changes underscore why our U.S. health care industry offers many students excellent career paths when young graduates realize that delivering quality team outcomes begins with prioritizing a 'we' rather than 'me' philosophy.
Saint Xavier University's (SXU) mission of serving wisely and compassionately is critical within the work of our Graham School of Management (GSM) and School of and Health Science (SONHS) students studying healthcare administration, especially because their future careers involve giving excellent service to diverse patients every day.
Dr. Barbara Joyce
ACCESS Academic Advisor for undergraduate students in Sociology, Departmental advisorUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa
Department of Sociology
What's a good job out of college for Retail Cashiers?
Dr. Barbara Joyce: A good job out of college is one that the graduates want, a job that is meaningful, that uplifts and inspires them, a job in which they use, and continue to develop, their talents and skills, and, of course, a job that provides them with the material resources and benefits they need to enjoy life. Credit where credit is due, Stephen R. Covey writes of the importance of those elements in his book Principle-Centered Leadership. I like his work a lot.
Michael Grossman Ph.D.
Professor, Political Studies and International StudiesUniversity of Mount Union
Department of Political Science and International Studies
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Retail Cashiers?
Michael Grossman Ph.D.: It is less about licenses or courses and more about experiences. In this regard, internships are crucial.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Retail Cashiers?
Cynthia Krom: Professional certifications matter. If your profession has a certification, you need to have that certification to be competitive in this new world. So, a public accountant needs to have a CPA, and a corporate accountant needs to have their CMA. A fraud examiner needs their CFE. Find out what is available in your profession and take whatever courses or exams are needed to be at the top of your game, because everyone else will.
We don't really know what will be happening with professional licenses with remote work. A psychotherapist may be licensed in New York, but remotely treating a client in New Mexico. Technically, they probably need a license in New Mexico. But who will control that? Will it just be the professional responsibility of the therapist to only practice where licensed? Will their malpractice insurance only cover them if the client is where they are licensed? What about a physician operating on someone a thousand miles away using robotics?
In terms of courses not related to professional certification or licensure, technology is where it is at. First and foremost, polish your Zoom skills. Zoom is now your face-to-face workplace and you need to be a pro. YouTube has great videos about lighting for Zoom, even with reflective eyeglasses. Perhaps your IT department is able to help with connectivity issues and learning remote technologies. And, as we have all recently seen, you need to learn how to turn off filters that make you look like a kitten! For nearly every field, you have to know Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) or similar programs. You need to know how to work collaboratively on projects through things like Google Drive. If you are not fluent in the basics, you are showing up for a horse race with a little pony.
What will help Retail Cashiers increase their earning potential?
Cynthia Krom: Well, the things already mentioned. Certification, licensure, skills. You have to keep current in your field, whether or not continuing professional education is required. Just knowing accounting isn't enough anymore - you need to know data analysis. You must demonstrate that you are able to successfully work independently, lead a team, and have integrity. Many people are also cultivating a side hustle, but you want to be really certain that any moonlighting does not present a conflict of interest for your main job or you could find your side hustle as your only hustle.
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.
Associate Professor of MarketingCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Retail Cashier job market given the pandemic?
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.: Really depends on the sector. A common thread for all is relearning or rethinking how we communicate, determining the fine line between work-norms & home-norms and figuring the optimal ways to manage our time when we are missing the structure that a 9-5 office experience may normally provide. That being said, I envision there will be many jobs without significant changes, either because those jobs were already adaptable to the disruption the pandemic brought or because there simply is no feasible way of working differently.
What's a good job out of college for Retail Cashiers?
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.: I think a description of a "good" job opportunity is dependent on so many factors, almost all subjective. What I recommend my students usually, is that they try different things before graduation and find something that makes them feel a purpose other than (and in addition to) making ends meet. For this reason we started a program on our campus where students are hired to help non-profits and small businesses in our area of service. In this program, students get to gain and practice skills that can help them succeed in a corporate or freelance capacity. The students get to experiment without fear of losing a job and find what they would like their entry level positions to look like. While doing this they also help organizations and individuals who have the need but not the resources to get the services from professionals.
What soft skills should all Retail Cashiers possess?
Sonya DiPalma Ph.D.: Be personable and a person someone wants to talk with and work with on a continuing basis. Listening and note-taking skills will be critical. Great employees listen well and ask good follow up questions. Be versatile and adaptable. If you find some downtime between projects, ask how you may help with another project.