Bank teller hourly pay ranges from $13 to $18 in most U.S. markets

Bank tellers in the United States earn between $13 and $18 per hour on average, though the exact amount depends on your location, the bank's size, and your experience. Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo typically pay toward the higher end of that range. Credit unions and smaller regional banks often pay less. Starting tellers with no prior experience usually begin near minimum wage or slightly above it in their state.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but most banks pay more than that because the work requires cash handling, customer service skills, and accuracy with transactions. States with higher minimum wages—California, Massachusetts, New York, Washington—see teller pay pushed higher as a result. A teller in San Francisco will earn more per hour than one in rural Mississippi, even at the same bank.

Your actual take-home depends on whether you work full-time or part-time. Most banks hire tellers for 30 to 40 hours per week. Full-time tellers may receive benefits like health insurance, a 401(k) match, or paid time off, which add value beyond the hourly rate. Part-time tellers usually receive no benefits and may have unpredictable schedules.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank tellers earn between $13 and $18 per hour on average, with variation based on location, bank size, and experience level.
  • Large national banks typically pay more than credit unions and community banks for the same role.
  • States with higher minimum wages push teller pay higher across the board, regardless of employer.
  • Full-time teller positions often include benefits like health insurance and 401(k) contributions, while part-time roles rarely do.
  • Starting tellers with no experience may earn closer to state minimum wage, with raises coming after six months to a year on the job.

How experience and tenure affect your hourly rate

A teller hired for their first job typically starts at the bottom of the pay range—often $13 to $14 per hour. After six months to a year of consistent work, most banks give a small raise of 50 cents to $1 per hour. After two to three years, experienced tellers can reach $16 to $18 per hour, depending on the bank and region.

Promotions to head teller or lead teller roles pay more—usually $17 to $21 per hour—but require you to train new staff, handle problem transactions, and cover shifts when others call out. Some tellers move into customer service representative roles, which may pay $15 to $19 per hour with different responsibilities. Others pursue management tracks that lead to branch manager positions, which pay salary rather than hourly wages.

Banks also reward longevity. A teller who stays at the same bank for five years will earn more than a new hire at a different bank, even if both have the same skills. This is why some tellers remain in the role longer than they might otherwise—the pay increases compound over time.

Regional differences in teller pay

Teller pay varies significantly by state and city. In high-cost-of-living areas like New York City, San Francisco, and Boston, tellers earn $16 to $20 per hour. In lower-cost regions like rural areas of the South and Midwest, the range is $12 to $15 per hour. This reflects both the higher minimum wages in expensive states and the higher cost of living that banks account for when setting pay.

Within a single state, urban branches pay more than rural ones. A Chase teller in downtown Chicago earns more than a Chase teller 50 miles outside the city. This is true even when the branch handles similar transaction volumes. Banks adjust pay based on local labor market conditions and the cost of hiring and retaining staff in that area.

Some states have no state minimum wage above the federal floor, so teller pay there is driven entirely by what banks choose to offer to compete for workers. Other states update their minimum wage annually, which automatically pushes teller pay up each year. If you are considering a teller job, checking your state's current minimum wage is a useful starting point for understanding what you might earn.

Bank size and type affect what you take home

National banks with thousands of branches—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank—typically pay $14 to $18 per hour for tellers. They have standardized pay scales and can afford to pay more because they process high transaction volumes and have larger profit margins. These banks also tend to offer benefits to full-time tellers, including health insurance, dental, and 401(k) matching.

Regional banks with 50 to 500 branches often pay $13 to $16 per hour. They compete for tellers by offering competitive pay and sometimes more flexible scheduling or closer-knit team environments. Credit unions, which are member-owned rather than shareholder-owned, typically pay $12 to $15 per hour but may offer better benefits or profit-sharing arrangements to full-time staff.

Online banks and fintech companies that offer banking services rarely hire traditional tellers because most customer service happens by phone or chat. If they do hire customer service representatives for banking tasks, those roles may pay $15 to $20 per hour but require different skills and often remote work.

What affects your pay beyond the hourly rate

Your total compensation as a teller includes more than just the hourly wage. Full-time tellers at major banks often receive paid time off—typically 10 to 15 days per year for vacation and sick leave combined. They also receive health insurance, which can be worth $3,000 to $8,000 per year depending on the plan. A 401(k) match, usually 3 to 4 percent of your salary, adds another $1,000 to $2,000 annually for someone earning $30,000 to $35,000 per year.

Some banks offer performance bonuses or incentives tied to opening new accounts, selling products like credit cards or savings accounts, or meeting customer satisfaction scores. These bonuses can add $500 to $2,000 per year, though they are not may provide and vary by branch and quarter. A few banks offer tuition reimbursement programs that pay for college or professional development courses, which can be valuable if you plan to advance into management.

Part-time tellers receive none of these benefits. They earn only the hourly wage, with no paid time off, no health insurance, and no retirement contributions. This is why the effective hourly value of a full-time teller job is often 15 to 25 percent higher than the stated wage when benefits are included.

How teller pay compares to other entry-level jobs

Bank teller positions pay similarly to other entry-level customer service and financial roles. Retail cashiers earn $12 to $15 per hour. Customer service representatives at call centers earn $13 to $17 per hour. Loan officers or mortgage processors, which require more training, earn $16 to $25 per hour. A teller job sits in the middle of this range and requires less specialized training than loan processing but more accuracy and customer interaction than retail.

The advantage of a teller role is that it provides a pathway into banking. Many banks promote tellers into customer service representative, loan officer, or management roles after a year or two. This creates an opportunity to earn more without leaving the organization. Retail or call center jobs offer less clear advancement within the same employer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bank tellers get paid weekly or biweekly?

Most banks pay tellers biweekly, meaning every two weeks. Some larger banks offer weekly pay or allow you to choose. Check with the specific bank during the hiring process if pay frequency matters to your budget.

Can you negotiate your starting wage as a bank teller?

Limited negotiation is possible, especially if you have prior cash handling or customer service experience. Banks often have set pay ranges for new hires, but mentioning relevant skills may move you to the higher end of that range. Asking is worth the effort, but do not expect a large increase.

Do bank tellers earn commission or bonuses?

Some banks offer bonuses for opening accounts or selling products, but these are not may provide and vary by branch. Base pay is your reliable income. Bonuses, if offered, are typically small—$50 to $200 per quarter—and depend on meeting targets that may be outside your control.

What is the difference between a bank teller and a customer service representative?

Tellers handle cash transactions, deposits, and withdrawals at the counter. Customer service representatives handle account inquiries, complaints, and product sales, often from a desk or phone. Customer service roles typically pay $1 to $3 more per hour and require less physical cash handling.

Do you get paid more for working night shifts or weekends as a teller?

Most banks do not pay shift differentials for tellers working evenings or weekends. Pay is the same regardless of when you work. Some banks may offer scheduling flexibility or slightly higher pay to fill unpopular shifts, but this is not standard practice.