Bank teller hourly pay ranges from $14 to $18 in most U.S. markets, with variation based on location, employer size, and experience

A bank teller's hourly wage depends on where you work and what the local labor market will support. Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo typically pay $15 to $17 per hour for entry-level tellers. Credit unions and smaller regional banks often pay slightly less, between $14 and $16 per hour. Some high-cost urban markets—particularly in California, New York, and the Northeast—push the range higher, sometimes reaching $18 to $20 per hour.

Your actual take-home depends on whether you work full-time or part-time hours. Most bank teller positions are full-time (35 to 40 hours per week), which means you can count on consistent weekly income. Part-time teller roles exist but are less common; when they do, the hourly rate is usually the same, but you work fewer may provide hours.

Experience matters, but not dramatically. A teller with no banking background starts at the bottom of the range for their employer. After one to two years, you might see a raise of 50 cents to $1.50 per hour. After three to five years, raises typically plateau unless you move into a supervisory role or shift to a different position within the bank.

Key Takeaways

  • Entry-level bank tellers earn between $14 and $18 per hour depending on employer and location, with larger banks and urban areas paying toward the higher end.
  • Full-time teller positions (35 to 40 hours per week) are standard, so you can project annual income by multiplying your hourly rate by roughly 1,800 to 2,000 hours per year.
  • Your first raise usually comes after 12 to 18 months on the job and typically adds 50 cents to $1.50 per hour.
  • Advancement to head teller, vault supervisor, or customer service roles can increase pay by $2 to $4 per hour, but requires moving out of the teller line.

How bank size and type affect what you earn

National banks with thousands of branches tend to have standardized pay scales. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank typically start tellers at $15 to $17 per hour nationwide, with slight adjustments for cost of living. These banks also tend to offer more consistent benefits—health insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off—which adds value beyond the hourly rate.

Credit unions and community banks often pay $1 to $2 less per hour but may offer a different trade-off: smaller teams, less high-volume transaction stress, and sometimes more flexible scheduling. Regional banks (those operating in five to ten states) usually fall between national chains and community banks in both pay and work environment.

Online banks that have physical locations or limited branch networks sometimes pay more per hour because they operate with fewer branches and need to attract tellers to specific locations. However, these positions are rarer and may require relocation or commuting to a hub.

Geographic pay differences you should know about

Cost of living drives most of the variation in teller pay. The Midwest and South generally offer the lowest hourly rates—$13 to $15 per hour is common in rural areas and smaller cities. The Northeast and West Coast pay more: $16 to $20 per hour in major metros like Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, and New York City.

Within a single state, the difference can be substantial. A teller in rural Kansas might earn $14 per hour, while one in Kansas City earns $15.50. A teller in rural Pennsylvania might earn $14.50, while one in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh earns $16 to $17. Always check the specific branch location, not just the state.

What happens to your pay as you gain experience

Most banks use a step system or annual review process for raises. In the first year, you might see a small raise (25 to 50 cents) after your probationary period ends, usually at three to six months. After 12 to 18 months, you typically receive a more meaningful raise of 50 cents to $1.50 per hour if your performance is solid.

After three to five years as a teller, raises slow down. You may see annual increases of 25 to 50 cents, or you may hit a ceiling where further raises require moving into a different role. This is when many tellers pursue promotion to head teller, customer service representative, or loan officer roles—positions that pay $17 to $22 per hour depending on the bank and location.

Seniority alone does not may provide raises. Banks typically tie raises to performance reviews, customer service scores, and accuracy with cash handling. A teller with five years of experience but poor metrics may earn less than a newer teller with strong performance.

Benefits and total compensation beyond hourly pay

The hourly wage is only part of what you earn. Most full-time bank teller positions include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching (usually 3 to 6 percent), and paid time off (typically 10 to 15 days per year for newer employees). Some banks also offer tuition reimbursement, which can help if you plan to pursue further education or banking certifications.

Part-time tellers at large banks sometimes receive benefits too, though may be able to access thresholds vary. Some banks offer health insurance to part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week; others require 30 hours. Always ask about benefits may be able to access during the interview process, as this can significantly affect your total compensation.

Employee discounts on banking products—lower fees, better savings rates, discounted mortgage rates—are standard at most banks but rarely add up to more than a few hundred dollars per year unless you maintain large account balances.

How teller pay compares to other entry-level banking roles

Bank tellers earn roughly the same as customer service representatives in banking call centers ($14 to $18 per hour) but less than loan officers ($18 to $25 per hour) or mortgage processors ($16 to $22 per hour). The teller role is typically the entry point into banking; most people who move into higher-paying roles start here first.

Compared to retail cashiers (who earn $13 to $15 per hour), bank tellers earn slightly more and usually have more stable hours and better benefits. Compared to administrative assistants in other industries ($15 to $19 per hour), teller pay is competitive but not exceptional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bank tellers get paid more if they work the night shift or weekends?

Most bank tellers work standard business hours (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) because that is when branches are open. Some branches stay open until 6 or 7 p.m., and a few offer Saturday hours, but shift differentials (extra pay for off-hours work) are uncommon in banking. You earn the same hourly rate regardless of which daytime shift you work.

Can you negotiate your starting pay as a bank teller?

Large banks have fixed pay scales and rarely negotiate starting wages. Smaller banks and credit unions may have more flexibility, especially if you have prior cash handling or customer service experience. It never hurts to ask, but expect the answer to be no at major chains. Your best leverage is to negotiate the start date or hours if you have competing offers.

What is the difference between a bank teller and a head teller in terms of pay?

A head teller (also called lead teller or senior teller) typically earns $2 to $4 more per hour than a regular teller and supervises the teller line, handles complex transactions, and trains new staff. This role usually requires one to three years of teller experience and is the natural next step if you want to stay in branch operations without moving into management.

Do banks pay differently for drive-through tellers versus lobby tellers?

No. The hourly rate is the same regardless of whether you work at the drive-through window or the lobby counter. The job duties are similar enough that banks do not differentiate pay. Some tellers rotate between both positions during their shift.

How often do bank tellers get raises?

Most banks conduct annual performance reviews and award raises once per year, usually in the first or second quarter. The size of the raise depends on your performance rating, the bank's budget, and inflation. Expect raises to slow or stop after three to five years unless you move into a supervisory or specialized role.