Another floor marker. No barrier to entry and a median of $15.83 an hour, about $33k a year full-time. The skills are real but thin, and the role is shrinking as self-checkout spreads. Compare it with the methods higher up: the difference in pay is almost entirely the difference in skill and licensing required.
Method
- Apply to grocery, big-box or pharmacy chainsHiring is continuous and fast.
- Aim for the better-paying chainsPay varies a lot by employer; some grocery chains and warehouse clubs pay well above the median.
- Move toward supervisor or a skilled roleFront-end supervisor, pharmacy technician, or a trade path are the usual exits.
Watch out:Self-checkout is steadily reducing these jobs. Standing all shift, and pay rarely grows much without a change of role.
Pay, licensing and demand vary by state, city and timing. Figures are averaged and partly approximate. Skill levels are illustrative. Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 (cashiers: median $15.83/hr, mean $33,220).