What Does a Teller Do?

A teller helps customers complete financial transactions at a bank or credit union. The teller receives deposits and payments, handles withdrawals, and records each transaction in the institution’s system. Before releasing funds or accepting a request, the teller checks the relevant details and follows the branch’s procedures. The teller is responsible for handling assigned cash accurately and flagging requests that need further review. This work keeps branch transactions documented while giving customers in-person help with routine banking needs.

What Is a Teller?

A teller is a bank or credit-union employee whose central job is to receive and pay out money and keep records of transactions. Tellers usually serve customers at a branch counter or drive-through window. They use the institution’s systems and procedures to process transactions and provide receipts.

The role combines accurate transaction processing with direct customer service. A teller can explain routine procedures or account information, but questions or requests outside the teller’s authority may need to go to a supervisor or another branch employee. O*NET describes the occupation’s core work as receiving and paying out money while maintaining transaction records. O*NET’s occupational profile provides additional detail.

What Are the Main Responsibilities of a Teller?

Tellers process deposits by receiving cash or checks, checking the transaction details, and entering the deposit into the financial institution’s system. For withdrawals and check cashing, they follow the required verification steps before paying out funds. These checks help ensure the transaction is recorded correctly and funds are released only according to the institution’s procedures.

Cash control is another core responsibility. Tellers keep track of the money assigned to their drawers and reconcile it against recorded transactions at the end of a shift or work period. If the totals do not match, they report the discrepancy and follow the branch’s process rather than trying to conceal or casually correct it. O*NET includes balancing cash drawers and verifying checks among the occupation’s core tasks. Its teller task profile outlines these duties.

Tellers also respond to routine customer questions and recognize when a request needs more review. If information is inconsistent or a request is outside their authority, they follow the applicable procedure or refer the customer to an appropriate colleague. They handle account information discreetly, especially when serving customers in a public branch area.

What Does a Teller Do on a Daily Basis?

A teller typically begins by preparing the workstation and checking the cash in the assigned drawer. During service, the teller listens to each customer’s request, checks the necessary information, and enters the transaction into the banking system. The teller counts money or checks the transaction documentation, then completes the request according to branch procedures and provides a receipt when applicable.

Between transactions, the teller may answer a routine question or explain what the customer should do next. If the request needs a review or decision beyond the teller’s role, the teller refers it rather than guessing. At the end of a shift or work period, the teller balances the drawer against the transaction record and reports any difference through the institution’s process. The exact mix and pace of work vary by branch.

What Skills Does a Teller Need?

Accuracy and attention to detail matter because a small error in an amount or entry can create a mismatch between the cash and the transaction record. A teller uses basic arithmetic when counting money and checking amounts, even when the banking system performs calculations. Following procedures consistently helps the teller verify requests and know when an exception needs review.

Clear communication helps a teller confirm what a customer is asking for and explain routine steps in understandable language. Patience is useful when a customer is confused or frustrated, while discretion helps protect account details at a public counter. A teller also needs to stay focused while switching between customer interactions and transaction entry. O*NET identifies customer service, mathematics, and attention to accuracy as relevant parts of teller work. O*NET’s teller profile describes the occupation’s work activities and knowledge areas.

How Much Does a Teller Earn?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for tellers was $43,030 in May 2025. This national median is the midpoint: half of tellers earned more and half earned less. Pay can vary with location and employer. The BLS teller profile provides the wage figure and occupational information.

What Is the Career Progression for a Teller?

With experience, a teller may take on more responsibility within branch operations, such as serving as a head teller. That step can involve helping coordinate teller work and taking on additional cash-control responsibilities, depending on the institution. A teller may also pursue other branch roles, but the duties and qualifications depend on the employer and position.

Daily experience with transaction procedures and customer questions can build useful familiarity with branch operations. It does not automatically qualify a teller to make decisions reserved for another role. Advancement typically depends on the institution’s needs and the employee’s experience and performance.

How Contingent Workforce Management Helps Businesses Hire Tellers

Contingent workforce management services help businesses organize the hiring and administration of temporary workers. A bank branch may need short-term teller coverage when regular employees are away or customer traffic rises, while still needing accurate records of assignments and approved hours. For this role, hiring a worker directly and using third-party payrolling can be a lower-cost alternative to a staffing agency.

TCWGlobal helps companies manage contingent tellers through payrolling and workforce support. This can save the company money by avoiding a staffing agency’s markup when the company has already identified a worker, while reducing the administrative work of managing payroll and assignment records. The branch can focus on maintaining counter coverage and processing customer transactions.