Bank teller hourly pay ranges from $13 to $18 in most U.S. markets, depending on location, employer size, and years on the job

A bank teller's hourly wage is not fixed across the country. The federal minimum wage sets a floor, but most banks pay above it. What you actually earn depends on whether you work for a large national bank, a regional institution, or a credit union—and which state you work in. Cost of living matters: a teller in San Francisco earns more per hour than one in rural Mississippi, though the difference reflects local expenses rather than the job itself.

Entry-level tellers at large banks like Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo typically start between $13 and $15 per hour. Credit unions and smaller regional banks often pay $14 to $17 per hour from the start. After two to three years, most tellers move into the $15 to $18 range. Some positions—head teller, lead teller, or teller supervisor—pay $18 to $22 per hour, though these are different roles with more responsibility.

Key Takeaways

  • Entry-level bank tellers earn between $13 and $15 per hour at large national banks, with credit unions typically paying $1 to $3 more per hour.
  • Your hourly rate depends on the state you work in, the size and type of bank, and how long you have been in the role.
  • Tellers with two to three years of experience usually earn $15 to $18 per hour, and supervisory teller roles pay $18 to $22 per hour.
  • Most teller positions include benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off, which add value beyond the hourly wage.

How location affects what you earn

States with higher costs of living pay tellers more per hour. California, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington typically offer $15 to $19 per hour for entry-level tellers. Southern and Midwestern states—Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana—usually range from $12 to $15 per hour. Within a state, urban branches pay more than rural ones. A teller in downtown Chicago earns more than one in a small Illinois town, even though both work for the same bank.

Some states have minimum wages above the federal $7.25 floor, which directly raises the starting point. California's minimum wage is $16.50 per hour (as of 2024), so even entry-level tellers there start higher. Other states follow the federal minimum, so banks in those places have more flexibility to set lower starting wages. If you are considering a teller job, research your state's minimum wage and the cost of living in the specific city where the branch is located.

Bank size and type matter more than you might think

Large national banks employ the most tellers but often pay less per hour than smaller institutions. Chase and Bank of America, which hire thousands of tellers nationwide, typically start at $13 to $14 per hour. Regional banks with 50 to 500 branches often pay $14 to $16 per hour. Credit unions, which are member-owned and often smaller, frequently pay $15 to $17 per hour from the start and may offer better benefits.

Online banks and fintech companies that hire tellers for phone or chat support sometimes pay differently than brick-and-mortar branches. Some pay hourly; others use salary structures. If you are comparing job offers, ask whether the role includes benefits, shift differentials (extra pay for evening or weekend hours), and whether there are bonuses tied to sales or customer satisfaction metrics. These add to your actual take-home pay.

What happens to your pay after the first year

Most banks use pay scales tied to tenure. After six months, you might see a 50-cent raise. After one year, another 50 cents to $1. By year two or three, many tellers earn $15 to $18 per hour. The raises are usually automatic if you stay in the role and meet performance standards. Some banks tie raises to performance reviews or customer service scores, so your individual results can speed up or slow down increases.

Advancement to head teller or lead teller roles—positions that involve training, scheduling, or handling exceptions—typically comes after two to four years and pays $18 to $22 per hour. Moving into operations, customer service management, or loan processing roles can lead to $20 to $28 per hour, though these are no longer teller positions. If you plan to stay in banking, the teller role is usually a starting point rather than a long-term position.

Benefits and what they add to your hourly value

Bank teller positions almost always include benefits beyond the hourly wage. Health insurance (medical, dental, vision) is standard at most banks, though you typically pay a portion of the premium. Retirement contributions—usually a 401(k) with employer match—add 3 to 6 percent of your salary. Paid time off (vacation, sick days, personal days) varies from 10 to 20 days per year depending on the bank and your tenure.

Some banks offer tuition reimbursement if you pursue further education, employee discounts on banking products, and life insurance. A few offer shift differentials—extra pay for working evenings, weekends, or holidays. When comparing two job offers with different hourly rates, calculate the total value: hourly wage plus the cost of benefits the employer covers. A job at $14 per hour with full health insurance and a 5 percent 401(k) match may be worth more than $15 per hour with no benefits.

How your pay compares to other entry-level banking roles

Bank tellers earn less per hour than loan officers, mortgage processors, or compliance analysts, but more than some customer service roles. A loan officer typically earns $18 to $28 per hour plus commission. A mortgage processor earns $16 to $24 per hour. A customer service representative at a bank call center might earn $12 to $15 per hour. Teller work is in the middle of the entry-level banking pay range, which is why many people use it as a stepping stone to higher-paying roles within the bank.

The teller role also requires less specialized training than some alternatives. Most banks provide on-the-job training for new tellers, so you do not need a finance degree or certification to start. This accessibility is part of why the hourly rate is lower than roles requiring prior credentials or experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bank tellers get paid more if they work the night shift or weekends?

Some banks offer shift differentials—extra pay for evening, weekend, or holiday hours—but not all do. Ask during the interview whether the bank pays more for non-standard hours. If it does, the difference is usually 50 cents to $2 per hour. Night shifts and weekends are less common for tellers since most branches close in the evening, but some 24-hour branches or call centers do offer them.

Can a bank teller earn commission or bonuses?

Yes, many banks tie bonuses to sales metrics—opening new accounts, selling credit cards, or meeting customer service scores. Bonuses are usually small ($50 to $500 per quarter) and depend on branch performance and individual metrics. Commission is less common for tellers than for loan officers, but some banks do offer it. Ask the hiring manager what bonus or commission structure exists before accepting the job.

What's the difference between a bank teller and a head teller in terms of pay?

A head teller or lead teller supervises other tellers, handles exceptions, and trains new staff. These roles typically pay $18 to $22 per hour, compared to $13 to $18 for regular tellers. You usually need one to three years as a teller before moving into a head teller role. The jump in pay reflects the added responsibility and supervisory duties.

Do part-time bank tellers earn the same hourly rate as full-time tellers?

Part-time tellers usually earn the same hourly rate as full-time tellers, but they do not receive the same benefits. Full-time tellers get health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. Part-time tellers may get a smaller benefits package or none at all, depending on the bank's policy. The hourly wage is typically identical, so the trade-off is hours and benefits, not pay per hour.

How often do bank tellers get raises?

Most banks review teller pay annually and award raises based on tenure, performance, and market conditions. Typical annual raises are 50 cents to $1.50 per hour. Some banks give raises every six months for the first year or two. The exact schedule depends on the bank's policy. Ask during the interview how often raises happen and what determines them.