Commercial banking has dozens of job types, from entry-level roles to senior management

Commercial banks employ people across lending, operations, customer service, technology, compliance, and administration. The number of jobs available varies by bank size, region, and economic conditions—a large regional bank might have 5,000 employees across multiple states, while a smaller community bank might have 50. There is no single national count because banks hire and lay off continuously, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics groups banking jobs broadly rather than by specific employer type.

What matters more than a total number is understanding which roles exist, what they pay, and what path gets you there. Most commercial bank jobs fall into a few clear categories, and knowing the difference helps you target your search.

Key Takeaways

  • Commercial banks hire for customer-facing roles (tellers, loan officers, relationship managers), back-office operations (data entry, processing, reconciliation), technology (software engineers, systems administrators, cybersecurity), and compliance (risk analysts, auditors, regulatory specialists).
  • Entry-level positions like teller or operations associate typically require a high school diploma and on-the-job training, while specialist roles require relevant degrees or certifications.
  • Salary ranges vary widely: tellers start around $25,000 to $30,000 annually, while loan officers and relationship managers earn $50,000 to $100,000 or more with commission.
  • The job market for banking roles shifts with interest rates, economic conditions, and technology adoption—periods of growth create more openings, while automation reduces some traditional positions.
  • You can find current openings on bank career pages, LinkedIn, Indeed, and industry job boards like BankingJobs.com or the American Bankers Association job portal.

Customer-facing roles: tellers, loan officers, and relationship managers

Teller positions are the most common entry point into commercial banking. Tellers handle deposits, withdrawals, account inquiries, and basic transactions. Most banks hire tellers with a high school diploma or GED and provide training on their systems and procedures. The role typically pays $25,000 to $32,000 annually, depending on location and bank size. Tellers often move into operations or customer service supervisor roles after one to two years.

Loan officers work directly with customers to evaluate loan requests, explain terms, and process applications. This role requires stronger sales and analytical skills than a teller position. Many banks prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in finance, business, or economics, though some hire experienced tellers into loan officer training programs. Loan officers earn $50,000 to $80,000 base salary, plus commission on closed loans, which can add significantly to total compensation.

Relationship managers (also called account managers or personal bankers) maintain ongoing relationships with customers, identify their financial needs, and cross-sell products like investment accounts, credit cards, or business services. This role requires strong communication and sales ability. Most banks require a bachelor's degree and one to two years of customer service or sales experience. Compensation ranges from $45,000 to $75,000 base, plus performance bonuses.

Operations and back-office positions

Operations roles keep the bank's internal machinery running. These include data entry specialists, who input transaction information into banking systems; operations associates, who process loan documents, verify information, and handle account maintenance; and reconciliation specialists, who may support that accounts balance and transactions match records. These roles typically require a high school diploma and attention to detail. Pay ranges from $28,000 to $40,000 annually.

Processing roles are more specialized. Mortgage processors, for example, gather documents from loan applicants, verify employment and income, and prepare files for underwriting. This role often requires knowledge of mortgage products and lending guidelines. Many banks promote experienced operations associates into processing roles. Salary typically ranges from $35,000 to $50,000.

Compliance and audit positions fall into back-office work as well. Compliance officers and risk analysts review transactions and procedures to may support the bank follows federal and state banking regulations. These roles usually require a bachelor's degree and sometimes a certification like the Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP). Pay ranges from $50,000 to $75,000 for entry-level compliance roles, with senior positions earning significantly more.

Technology and IT positions

Banks increasingly hire software engineers, systems administrators, database administrators, and cybersecurity specialists. These roles support the bank's digital platforms, internal systems, and security infrastructure. Most require a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Some banks hire candidates with relevant certifications and demonstrated experience instead of a degree.

Software engineers at banks typically earn $80,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience and specialization. Cybersecurity roles, which are in high demand as banks face growing threats, often pay $90,000 to $150,000 or more. Systems and database administrators earn $65,000 to $110,000. These roles often offer better pay and faster growth than traditional banking positions, and they are less affected by branch closures or automation.

How bank size and location affect job availability

Large national banks like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo have thousands of open positions at any given time across all categories. They hire continuously for teller roles, operations, technology, and corporate functions. Their career websites list openings by location and department, and they often have formal training programs for entry-level hires.

Regional banks—institutions with $10 billion to $100 billion in assets—typically have 500 to 5,000 employees. They hire for similar roles but often have fewer positions available and may require more specialized experience. Examples include PNC, U.S. Bancorp, and Truist. Community banks with under $10 billion in assets may have 50 to 500 employees and hire less frequently, but they sometimes offer more direct mentorship and faster advancement for strong performers.

Geography matters too. Banks headquartered in major financial centers like New York, Charlotte, San Francisco, and Chicago have more job openings overall. However, most large banks have branches and operations centers across the country, so you can find positions in smaller cities and rural areas as well.

How automation and economic conditions shape hiring

The number of teller and operations positions has declined over the past decade as banks invested in ATMs, mobile banking, and online account management. Fewer customers visit branches, so banks need fewer tellers. At the same time, banks have hired more technology workers to build and maintain digital platforms. This shift means entry-level banking jobs are harder to find than they were 10 years ago, but technology roles are growing.

Economic conditions also affect hiring. When interest rates rise, banks earn more on loans and may expand their lending teams. When rates fall or the economy slows, banks often reduce hiring or consolidate positions. During recessions, banks may freeze hiring or lay off staff. The job market for banking roles is therefore cyclical—more openings appear during periods of economic growth and credit expansion.

Where to search for commercial banking jobs

Start with the career pages of banks you are interested in. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and other large banks post all openings on their websites and allow you to filter by location, job category, and experience level. Regional and community banks also post openings on their sites.

General job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor let you search for "commercial bank jobs" by location and filter by salary, company size, and job type. You can also set up job alerts so new postings arrive in your inbox.

Industry-specific boards include BankingJobs.com, which focuses on banking and financial services roles, and the American Bankers Association job portal. Local workforce development agencies and community colleges sometimes post banking job openings as well, especially for entry-level positions.

Networking also matters. If you know someone who works at a bank, ask them about openings and whether they can refer you. Many banks offer referral bonuses, so employees are motivated to recommend candidates. Attending banking industry events or joining professional groups like the American Institute of Banking can also lead to job leads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a degree to work at a commercial bank?

No. Teller and operations positions require only a high school diploma or GED. However, a bachelor's degree in finance, business, or economics opens doors to loan officer, relationship manager, and compliance roles more quickly. Many banks will promote experienced tellers into higher-paying positions without requiring a degree, though advancement may be slower.

What certifications help you get hired at a bank?

The most common are the Certified Bank Teller (CBT) certification, which some banks require or prefer for teller roles; the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for investment and wealth management roles; and various compliance certifications like the Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP). For technology roles, certifications in cloud platforms, cybersecurity, or database management are valuable.

How long does it take to move from teller to loan officer?

Most banks expect tellers to spend one to three years in the role before moving into lending or management. Some banks have formal teller-to-loan-officer training programs that accelerate this timeline. Your advancement depends on performance, willingness to cross-train, and whether the bank is hiring for higher-level positions in your branch or region.

Are banking jobs stable, or are they disappearing?

Traditional branch-based positions like teller and operations associate have declined as banks close branches and automate processes. However, technology, compliance, and lending roles are growing. Job stability depends on the bank's health, your role, and your willingness to learn new skills. Larger banks are generally more stable than smaller ones, which are more vulnerable to economic downturns.

What is the salary range for entry-level banking jobs?

Tellers and operations associates typically earn $25,000 to $35,000 annually. Customer service representatives and junior compliance analysts earn $30,000 to $45,000. Loan officer trainees and relationship manager trainees earn $35,000 to $50,000 base, plus potential commission or bonuses. Salaries vary by bank size, location, and local cost of living.