Cashier Salary in 2026
How Much Do Cashiers Make?
Cashiers earn a median annual salary of $31,190 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $23,070 at the 10th percentile to $38,220 at the 90th percentile — a range of $15,150. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $37,540.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23,070 |
| 25th percentile | $27,780 |
| Median (50th) | $31,190 |
| 75th percentile | $35,410 |
| 90th percentile | $38,220 |
Cashier Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $37,540 |
| Washington | $37,300 |
| California | $36,270 |
| Alaska | $36,050 |
| Colorado | $35,760 |
| Vermont | $35,090 |
| New York | $35,030 |
| Hawaii | $34,930 |
| Massachusetts | $34,800 |
| Oregon | $34,220 |
| Connecticut | $34,030 |
| Maine | $33,900 |
| New Jersey | $33,200 |
| Arizona | $32,990 |
| Maryland | $32,870 |
| Minnesota | $32,570 |
| Illinois | $31,340 |
| New Hampshire | $31,230 |
| Rhode Island | $31,040 |
| Delaware | $30,920 |
| Montana | $30,620 |
| North Dakota | $30,610 |
| Utah | $30,290 |
| Idaho | $30,280 |
| Virginia | $29,840 |
| Wisconsin | $29,690 |
| Nebraska | $29,420 |
| Missouri | $29,400 |
| South Dakota | $29,330 |
| Florida | $29,320 |
| New Mexico | $29,230 |
| Michigan | $29,190 |
| Wyoming | $29,150 |
| Nevada | $29,080 |
| Iowa | $28,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,690 |
| Indiana | $28,640 |
| Ohio | $28,540 |
| Texas | $28,310 |
| Georgia | $28,020 |
| North Carolina | $27,930 |
| Tennessee | $27,860 |
| South Carolina | $27,590 |
| Kansas | $27,580 |
| Arkansas | $27,370 |
| Oklahoma | $27,130 |
| Kentucky | $26,970 |
| Alabama | $26,760 |
| West Virginia | $23,490 |
| Louisiana | $23,410 |
| Mississippi | $22,410 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Cashiers
Cashier Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$23,070 – $27,780 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$31,190 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$35,410 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $38,220+ |
How to Earn More as a Cashier
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Cashiers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $41,890 — $10,700 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($35,410) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Cashier Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Cashierthis career | $31,190 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,000 |
| Retail Sales Worker Supervisor | $47,320 |
| Non-Retail Sales Worker Supervisor | $84,130 |
| Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashier | $34,810 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Cashier requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 41-2011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.