What you need to start as a bank teller
Most banks require a high school diploma or GED and will hire you without prior banking experience. You do not need a college degree. The main requirements are a clean background check, the ability to pass a drug test, and availability to work the hours the branch needs — often including Saturdays and some evenings.
Banks run background checks on all teller candidates. This includes a criminal history search and a check of your banking and credit history through ChexSystems, a system that tracks how you have handled bank accounts. A single bounced check or unpaid overdraft from years ago will not automatically disqualify you, but recent financial problems or criminal convictions may. Each bank sets its own threshold.
You will also need a Social Security number and a valid government-issued ID. Bring these documents to your interview and to your first day of work.
Key Takeaways
- Banks hire tellers with a high school diploma or GED and no banking experience required, but you must pass a background check and drug test.
- The job involves handling cash, processing deposits and withdrawals, selling basic products like CDs, and following strict security and compliance rules.
- Most banks provide on-the-job training that lasts two to four weeks, covering their systems, procedures, and how to spot fraud.
- Starting pay varies by region and bank size, but entry-level tellers typically earn between $24,000 and $32,000 per year.
- Teller positions are often a stepping stone to other roles like loan officer, branch manager, or operations specialist if you stay with the bank.
Finding teller job openings and explore
Start with the banks you already use or banks with branches near your home. Most large banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and regional banks — post teller openings on their careers pages. You can also search Indeed, LinkedIn, and local job boards.
When you explore, you will fill out an online process that asks about your work history, availability, and sometimes your comfort with math and customer service. Some banks use a brief assessment or questionnaire as part of the online process. This is not a test you can fail; it helps the bank understand how you think about customer interactions and handling money.
After you submit your process, the bank's hiring team reviews it. If they want to move forward, they will contact you by phone or email to schedule an interview. This usually happens within one to two weeks, though timing varies by how many openings the bank has and how busy the branch is.
The interview and what banks are looking for
Bank teller interviews are usually straightforward. The interviewer will ask about your availability, why you want the job, how you handle stress, and whether you have experience with cash or customer service. You do not need to have worked in a bank before. Many tellers come from retail, food service, or other jobs where they handled money or worked with the public.
Banks care most about reliability, honesty, and the ability to follow procedures exactly. They will ask questions like "Tell me about a time you caught a mistake" or "How would you handle a customer who is upset?" Your answers should show that you pay attention to detail and stay calm under pressure. Tellers work with large amounts of cash and must follow compliance rules; banks need people they can trust.
Dress professionally — business casual or business formal — and arrive 10 minutes early. Bring a copy of your resume, even though you already submitted one online. Bring your Social Security number and a valid ID so the bank can start the background check process if they want to move forward.
Background check and job offer
If the interview goes well, the bank will tell you they want to move forward with a conditional offer. This means the job is yours if you pass the background check and drug test. The bank will give you instructions on how to schedule these. The background check usually takes five to ten business days. The drug test is typically a urine test done at a clinic the bank directs you to.
During this time, do not assume the job is final. Banks can withdraw offers if the background check reveals something unexpected or if you fail the drug test. Once both are clear, you will receive a formal offer letter with your start date, pay rate, and schedule.
Pay attention to the offer letter. It will state your hourly wage or salary, whether you are full-time or part-time, and what benefits you are may have access to to — health insurance, 401(k), paid time off. Part-time tellers often do not receive benefits; full-time tellers usually do. Ask questions if anything is unclear before you sign.
Training and your first weeks on the job
Most banks require new tellers to complete training before they work independently. This training happens at your branch or at a regional training center and typically lasts two to four weeks. You will learn the bank's computer systems, how to process different types of transactions, how to count cash accurately, and how to spot counterfeit bills and fraud.
You will also learn compliance rules — laws about reporting large cash deposits, verifying customer identity, and preventing money laundering. These rules are strict, and banks test you on them. You may take a written test or quiz to show you understand the rules before you are allowed to handle customer transactions alone.
During training, you will shadow experienced tellers and practice on the bank's systems. You will count cash repeatedly until you can do it quickly and accurately. You will role-play customer interactions. This is not glamorous, but it is necessary. Banks cannot afford mistakes with money or compliance.
After training, you will work with a mentor or supervisor for another week or two before you are cleared to work a full shift alone. Your first few weeks will feel slow — you will be looking up procedures and asking questions. This is normal. Most tellers feel confident in the role after their first month.
Daily responsibilities and what the work actually involves
A bank teller's main job is to process customer transactions — deposits, withdrawals, check cashing, and transfers. You will sit at a window or desk, greet customers, ask what they need, and complete the transaction using the bank's computer system. You will handle cash, verify it is correct, and count it in front of the customer. You will also process mobile deposits, wire transfers, and payments.
Beyond transactions, tellers sell products. Banks expect tellers to mention CDs, savings accounts, and credit cards to customers who might be interested. You are not expected to be a salesperson, but you should be able to explain what these products are and how they work.
You will also balance your drawer at the end of your shift. This means counting all the cash you handled during the day and making sure it matches the computer record. If it does not match, you and your supervisor will look for the discrepancy. Cash handling is precise work; even small errors matter.
You will follow security procedures — never leaving cash unattended, locking the vault, and reporting anything suspicious. You will also follow compliance rules when customers make large deposits or unusual transactions.
Moving up from teller to other roles
Many banks promote tellers into other positions after one to two years. Common paths include head teller, customer service representative, loan officer, or operations specialist. Some tellers move into branch management. The bank will usually pay for training or education if you want to move into a new role.
To move up, you need to show reliability, accuracy, and willingness to learn. Tellers who stay late to help, catch errors, and take on extra responsibilities get noticed. If you want to move into lending or management, ask your manager what skills or certifications you should develop.
Some banks offer tuition reimbursement for college courses or certifications. If you want to become a loan officer, you may need to take courses in lending or finance. If you want to move into management, you may need to show leadership experience. Ask your branch manager what the path looks like at your bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to use a computer to be a bank teller?
You do not need to have used banking software before, but you should be comfortable learning new computer systems quickly. Banks will train you on their specific software. If you have used a computer for email, online shopping, or other tasks, you have the basic skills you need. If you have never used a computer, tell the bank during your interview so they know to spend extra time on this during training.
What happens if I make a cash handling mistake?
Small discrepancies happen, especially when you are new. If your drawer does not balance, you and your supervisor will search for the error — a transaction that was entered wrong, a bill you miscounted, or a deposit that was not recorded. If you cannot find it, the bank may ask you to cover the difference, or they may absorb it depending on the amount and your history. Repeated errors will affect your performance reviews and could lead to termination.
Can I work part-time as a teller?
Yes. Many banks hire part-time tellers, especially for busy branches or to cover weekends and evenings. Part-time positions usually offer less pay and fewer benefits than full-time roles, but they work well if you are in school or have other commitments. Ask about part-time availability when you explore.
How much do bank tellers make?
Starting pay varies by region, bank size, and local cost of living. Entry-level tellers typically earn between $24,000 and $32,000 per year, or roughly $12 to $16 per hour. Larger banks and branches in expensive cities pay more. Head tellers and tellers with several years of experience earn more. Some banks offer bonuses based on sales or performance.
What if I have a criminal record or bad credit?
Banks will consider your background, but a single mistake does not automatically disqualify you. Recent convictions, especially for theft or fraud, make it harder to get hired. Bad credit or bounced checks from years ago are less of a barrier than recent financial problems. Be honest during the background check process. Some banks are more flexible than others; if one bank declines you, another may not.