Cashiers ring up items at your local grocery store, convenience store and other establishments using electronic scanners and cash registers. Though this occupation is one of the country’s largest, the pay is low.

This entry-level position requires no formal education or work experience, and most of the training is provided on the job. However, if you wish to move higher in the company, a high school diploma or additional education may be required. Because cashiers handle cash transactions, applicants may have to pass a background check and drug screen.

Many cashier jobs are part time or seasonal, and flexible schedules may be possible.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -10.4% employment growth for cashiers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 348,100 jobs will be lost.

While most cashier jobs don’t have specific educational requirements, employers may prefer a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous cashier experience is also a plus. Tia Burden, shift manager and cashier at CVS Pharmacy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, says the work is more detail-oriented than she anticipated, especially handling money with the customers.

"You also have to have a constant smile on your face, especially with unruly customers," Burden says. On-the-job training includes instruction in operating equipment and company policies and procedures. For some, a cashier position can serve as a stepping stone to higher positions within a company, such as customer service representative and sales manager.