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What is a retail sales associate/cashier and how to become one
The primary function of a cashier is to assist consumers with the in-store check-out process. Their key duties include ringing purchases, luggage goods, calling for pricing checks, paying vouchers, receiving payment, and making necessary adjustments. They are responsible for counting the contents of the cash register drawer at the end of each change, holding receipts, logs and withdrawals. They are also responsible for inspecting and monitoring products and services when stock levels are limited.
It is essential for cashiers to have strong knowledge in handling cash, credit, or check transactions with customers. From time to time, they help customers on redeeming stamps and coupons. They also serve as sales associates by making sales referrals, cross-sell products, and introduce new products to customers. Cahiers typically work under the direct supervision of the boss or manager and must be directed by orders.
The basic requirements for this role include a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employers, however, prefer applicants who have one to two years of experience in the sector or similar fields. Employers also look for applicants who have an awareness of widely used principles, methods, and techniques in a given area.
What general advice would you give to a retail sales associate/cashier?
Meegan Feori Ph.D.
Associate Professor, San Diego Mesa College
Avg. Salary $25,961
Avg. Salary $59,228
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.55%
Asian 6.41%
Black or African American 10.98%
Hispanic or Latino 22.54%
Unknown 5.06%
White 54.46%
Genderfemale 75.47%
male 24.53%
Age - 39American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 39Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Retail sales associate/cashier career paths
Key steps to become a retail sales associate/cashier
Explore retail sales associate/cashier education requirements
Start to develop specific retail sales associate/cashier skills
Skills Percentages Customer Service 16.87% Basic Math 14.54% Math 14.17% Sales Floor 9.45% Retail Sales 9.05% Complete relevant retail sales associate/cashier training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New retail sales associate/cashiers 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 retail sales associate/cashier based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real retail sales associate/cashier resumes.Research retail sales associate/cashier duties and responsibilities
- Supervise women's department, manage jewelry department, assist customers on finalizing purchases
- Process transactions through POS terminals accepting cash, checks, credit cards, and giving change.
- Commend for exceeding food safety guidelines and ensuring the highest quality product through meticulous store cleanliness.
- Improve customer solicitation pitch to increase Kohl's credit card application solicitations.
Prepare your retail sales associate/cashier resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your retail sales associate/cashier 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 retail sales associate/cashier resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable retail sales associate/cashier resume templates
Build a professional retail sales associate/cashier 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 retail sales associate/cashier resume.
Apply for retail sales associate/cashier jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a retail sales associate/cashier job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first retail sales associate/cashier job
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Average retail sales associate/cashier salary
The average retail sales associate/cashier salary in the United States is $25,961 per year or $12 per hour. Retail sales associate/cashier salaries range between $20,000 and $32,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do retail sales associate/cashiers rate their job?
Retail sales associate/cashier reviews
Learn usefully ways to improve health with food viewed as medicine.
Pretty new field
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.
Double standards extra work extra tasks that aren't in the job description you're doing assumptions that you know everything you're doing and you know the right way of everything that you're doing even though no one's ever trained you to do what you're doing and what you're doing isn't necessarily in the jobs description for the title for lack of a better word that you actually have
Handling well cash and serving customers fast and smiling at them
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Updated January 8, 2025
