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Cashiers are clerical workers who receive payments, handle credit transactions, make change, issue receipts, account for the amounts received, and perform related clerical duties in a wide variety of business establishments.

JOB DUTIES

Cashiers may:

Record sales on cash registers

Clear and total cash registers

Add taxes to total price

Accept payments, give receipts, and make change

Answer routine questions

Weigh produce and bag purchases

Cash checks

Complete credit card transactions for customers

Redeem coupons and give trading stamps

Check credit of customers

Restock and mark counter items and update prices

Balance cash tray money to tape total

Handle food stamps and welfare orders

Prepare bank deposit slips

Pay company bills by cash, vouchers, or checks

Operate office machines such as typewriters, calculators and check writing machines

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Cashiers may specialize in these areas:

211.362-010 CASHIERS are clerical workers who receive payments, handle credit transactions, make change, issue receipts, account for the amounts received, and perform related clerical duties in a wide variety of business establishments.

211.462-014 CASHIER-CHECKERS itemize and total customers' purchases in self-service grocery or department stores using a cash register. They may be known by the type of item checked, such as grocery checker.

211.462-010 OFFICE CASHIERS receive funds from customers and employees in payment for goods or services and record the amounts received. They are usually employed in restaurants, cafeterias, theaters, retail stores, and other establishments. Office Cashiers may be designated according to their place of employment, such as cafeteria cashier, parking lot cashier, and store cashier.

211.462-018 CASHIER-WRAPPERS operate cash registers to compute and record total sales. They also inspect merchandise to ensure it is in satisfactory condition and verify the sales slip with the price ticket on the item. They then either place the merchandise in a bag or box and give it to the salesperson or customer, or wrap the package for shipment and route it to the delivery department. In some cases, they may gift wrap the merchandise for the customer.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Cashiers usually work alone and report to a supervisor. They work in all types of businesses, large and small.

Working conditions are usually pleasant, with Cashiers often working in attractively decorated surroundings. Large numbers of business firms today are air-conditioned, and most of them are well ventilated and lighted. However, the work area itself may be rather small and confining as many Cashiers work behind counters, in cages or booths, or in other small places. Work spaces for Cashiers are frequently located near the entrances and exits in business firms, and Cashiers may be exposed to drafts.

Full-time Cashiers generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Many Cashiers work part time. Weekend, evening, and holiday work is frequently required. Some Cashiers are assigned split shifts (the full 8-hour day divided by a break, usually 4 hours or more) so that enough workers will be on duty during seasonal rush periods.

Depending on the place of employment, Cashiers may belong to a union, such as the United Food and Commercial Workers International, AFL-CIO. Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with figures and objects

• Doing routine, organized work

• Serving the public

You Should Be Able To:

• Use logical, step-by-step procedures in your work

• Perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately

• Catch on to instructions quickly and make good judgments

• Work rapidly and accurately, sometimes under pressure

• Communicate effectively and work well with others

• Deal tactfully and pleasantly with customers

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• See details and recognize errors in numbers and spelling

• Maintain a neat appearance

• Demonstrate honesty

• Identify counterfeit money

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a customer buys a shirt for $9.99 and it is 35% off, what is the price of the shirt?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read and comprehend stock and pricing information.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a bank deposit slip to deposit the money you received on your shift.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be detail oriented in receiving money and recording transactions.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 2000 LIFE MANAGEMENT , 2200 MATH , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

010 BUSINESS SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY

Approved programs in the Business Services and Technology are a combination of programs in accounting and computing, business data processing, and secretarial programs. The "cluster" provides students with access to acquiring an employable skill for an occupation within the broad field of business and office. Courses in other business and office programs may be required for completion of this program.

011 MARKETING EDUCATION

Approved vocational education programs in Marketing Education prepare students for occupations in moving industrial and consumer goods and providing services to users of those goods. These programs deal with marketing, sales, distribution, merchandising, and management. In addition, these programs provide instruction in buying, pricing, promoting, financing, storage, and market research. The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program         

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***

Please check the Military website at http://www.myfuture.com

SALES AND STOCK SPECIALISTS

The military operates retail stores and snack bars for its personnel on bases and aboard ships in the United States and overseas. Military stores, called exchanges, sell merchandise similar to that sold in civilian stores but at a discount. Sales and stock specialists operate retail food and merchandise stores for military personnel.

What They Do

Sales and stock specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Operate snack bars, laundries, and dry cleaning facilities

• Order and receive merchandise and food for retail sales

• Inspect food and merchandise for spoilage or damage

• Price and mark retail sales items, using markers and stamping machines

• Stock shelves and racks for the display of products

• Count merchandise and supplies during inventories

• Record and account for money received and prepare bank deposits

Work Environment

Sales and stock specialists work on land and aboard ships in retail stores, snack bars, and storerooms.

Physical Demands

The ability to speak clearly is required. Sales and stock specialists may have to lift and carry heavy objects.

Training Provided

Job training consists of 6 to 7 weeks of classroom instruction for some specialties. For others, training occurs on the job. Course content includes:

• Stock procedures

• Vending machine operation and maintenance

• Record keeping and bookkeeping procedures

Further training occurs on the job.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include bookkeeping, mathematics, and typing. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in marketing and sales work

• Ability to use cash registers, calculators, and adding machines

• Interest in working with people

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian sales and stock specialists work in many kinds of retail businesses, such as grocery stores and department stores. They perform duties similar to military sales and stock specialists. They may also be called sales clerks or stock clerks.

Opportunities

The services have about 2,000 sales and stock specialists. On average, they need about 150 new specialists each year. After job training, sales and stock specialists are assigned to bases or shipboard retail stores and storerooms. Initially, they work under close supervision. With experience, they work more independently, train new workers, and assume more responsibility for sales and stock activities. In time, they may become department supervisors or retail store supervisors.      

E-Learning Courses and Programs     

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Some employers seek applicants with previous job experience, sometimes giving preference to those who possess special skills in typing, elementary accounting, or sales. You may be required to have a physical examination, a "TB" test, and become bonded.

            School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Cashier employer

internships

volunteer work with a Cashier employer

community service work with an agency

Ways to explore this field include working in the school cafeteria, bookstore, office at school, and selling magazines or newspapers. Secondary vocational education programs in business services and technology and marketing may offer co-op opportunities which include practical experience.

You can find a Cashier's job by applying directly to employers, checking openings at high school/college placement offices, contacting local unions, contacting offices of Michigan Works!, or reading newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank (http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage)

Yahoo! Careers (http://careers.yahoo.com/)

Department of Career Development (http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd)

            You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Cashiers' wages vary with individual experience and seniority, type and size of business, union membership, and geographical location. Some grocery stores have imposed wage and benefit rollbacks, which have also affected earnings.

In 2001, median annual earnings of all Cashiers nationally were $15,548. The median yearly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $31,044 in 2001.

Cashiers employed by city governments in Michigan earned annual salaries ranging from $14,560 to over $41,640 in early 2002. Those who also perform the duties of other occupations, such as treasurer, earn more.

Cashiers who work evenings, Sundays, or holidays generally receive extra pay. Some receive cost-of-living allowances or annual bonuses based on company profits or length of service.

Cashiers may receive paid vacations and holidays; sick leave; and disability, life, accident, and hospitalization insurance. Some employers also offer pension plans and profit sharing. Unionized Cashiers may also receive dental and optical insurance. Restaurant Cashiers may receive free meals while on duty. Some employers may offer stock purchase/savings plans for salaried employees.

Opportunities for advancement depend on the size and type of employer, personal initiative, experience, special training, and skills. Cashiering jobs often provide a person with the business experience, training, and skills to move into other types of clerical jobs or sometimes into managerial positions.

With experience and further training, a Cashier may advance to head Cashier or department manager. Occasionally, an experienced Cashier with additional education may become a bookkeeper or credit clerk.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 3,344,000 Cashiers employed in 2000. Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010, in response to increased growth in retail sales. The industry distribution for Cashiers looked like this:

A high turnover rate should keep the number of openings plentiful. However, widespread use of automatic check-out systems could somewhat slow future growth.  

There are about 106,500 Cashiers employed in Michigan. Most worked in urban areas. Most worked in retail businesses such as grocery stores, department stores, drugstores and restaurants. Others worked for financial institutions, theaters, hotels, motels and hospitals.  

Employment of Cashiers in Michigan is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2008. There will be an average of 6,250 annual openings for Cashiers with 1,610 due to growth and 4,640 due to replacement of those who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.  

Growth is expected as business activities increase and more retail stores convert to self-service operation, reducing the number of sales people but increasing the number of Cashiers. Greater use of computerized check-out systems, which increase productivity of individual Cashiers, may slow employment growth somewhat. Because turnover is high, many replacement openings will result. Many part-time jobs should also be available.  

MICHIGAN'S AREA EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008

     EMPLOYMENT                  NUMBER                           PERCENT                          PROJECTED YEARLY         REGION                             EMPLOYED                       GROWTH                           JOB OPENINGS

    Ann Arbor Area                     4,280                                  16.9                                    259

    Battle Creek Area                   2,525                                  17.7                                    155

    Benton Harbor Area               3,370                                   7.4                                      172

   Central Michigan                      2,715                                  20.9                                    175

   Detroit MSA                           46,230                                13.8                                     2654

   East Central Michigan              1,705                                   13.1                                    96

   Flint Area                                5,175                                    13.1                                   294

   Grand Rapids Area                  9,910                                   20.8                                    638

   Jackson Area                          3,000                                    14.1                                   173

   Kalamazoo Area                     2,790                                    14.2                                   162

   Lansing MSA                          5,515                                    18.8                                   344

   Muskegon Area                      2,045                                     12.4                                  114

   Northeast Lower Peninsula     1,855                                     16.0                                  111

   Northwest Lower Peninsula    3,540                                     28.5                                  255  

   Saginaw MSA                        4,615                                     11.0                                  252

   Thumb Area                           2,625                                     15.1                                  154  

   Upper Peninsula                     4,250                                     17.8                                   261

  West Central Michigan            1,395                                     16.6                                   84    

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below:

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development