Cashiers

(NOC 6611)

in All Sales and Service

Cashiers use cash registers, optical price scanners, computers, or other equipment to record and accept payment for the purchase of goods, services, and admissions. They work in stores, restaurants, theatres, recreational and sports institutions, currency exchange booths, government offices, business offices and other service, retail and wholesale companies.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1635 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Over the longer term, new technologies such as self-checkouts may reduce the need for the number of cashiers in a store. Even so, retailers in some parts of the province are encountering a shortage of job applicants, so prospects are good for individuals looking for work in this occupation. Part-time opportunities are more common.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$14.50

Median

$15.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,140

Minimum

$9,623

Median

$23,349

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Cashiers use cash registers, optical price scanners, computers, or other equipment to record and accept payment for the purchase of goods, services, and admissions. They work in stores, restaurants, theatres, recreational and sports institutions, currency exchange booths, government offices, business offices and other service, retail and wholesale companies.

Job duties

Cashiers:

  • Greet customers.
  • Establish or identify price of goods, services, or admission and calculate total payment required using electronic or other cash register, optical price scanner or other equipment.
  • Weigh produce and bulk foods.
  • Receive and process payments by cash, cheque, credit card or automatic debit.
  • Wrap or place merchandise in bags.
  • Provide information to customers.
  • Help sports spectators and theatre patrons with seat selection.
  • Calculate foreign currency exchange.
  • Calculate total payments received at end of work shift and reconcile with total sales.
  • Verify the age of customers when selling lottery tickets, alcohol, or tobacco products.
  • May accept reservations and take-out orders.
  • May also stock shelves and clean check-out counter area.

Sample job titles

  • cashier
  • convenience store cashier
  • customer service cashier
  • front desk cashier
  • grocery store cashier
  • movie theatre cashier
  • restaurant cashier
  • self-serve gas bar attendant
  • ticket seller - cashier

Skills

  • You should have good health, physical stamina, and manual dexterity. You must also be able to work on your own and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

  • High school education is usually required. High school graduation may be required by some employers.
  • Eligibility for bonding may be required.
  • A casino gaming licence may be required for cashiers working in gambling casinos.

Other considerations

  • Work in these jobs tends to be seasonal, with employment levels peaking in the summer months and around the holiday season. Cashiers are often expected to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Cashiers may advance to supervisory positions like head cashier with additional training or experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

13,490

employed in 2016

27.5%

employed full-time

0.2%

self employed

79.7%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
20.3%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
23

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
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37

median age

Where will I likely work?

38.0%

Halifax

$9,274 median annual income
17.8%

North Shore

$10,083 median annual income
17.3%

Cape Breton

$10,150 median annual income
13.9%

Annapolis Valley

$10,175 median annual income
13.0%

Southern

$9,684 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

77.9%

Retail trade

15.7%

Accommodation and food services

1.6%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

1.0%

Information and cultural industries

0.6%

Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

56.0%

15-24

12.0%

45-54

11.0%

55-64

11.0%

25-34

7.0%

35-44

3.0%

65+

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

45.2%

High school

$10,424 median annual income
31.6%

Less than high school

$5,665 median annual income
13.4%

College Diploma

$13,748 median annual income
4.3%

Bachelor

$10,984 median annual income
3.6%

Trade Certification

$15,358 median annual income

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

No contacts were found under this occupation profile

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.