SOC 7112 Sales occupations

Retail cashiers and check-out operators Salary

Median salary £14,018 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £14,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For retail cashiers and check-out operators, £24,622 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -37% versus the national average. Experienced retail cashiers and check-out operators (top 25%) earn over £18,981.

About this role

Retail cashiers and check-out operators process customer purchases at tills and self-service checkouts. They scan items, handle payments, pack goods and provide customer service at the point of sale.

Key responsibilities

Scanning items and processing customer payments
Handling cash, card and contactless transactions
Assisting customers at self-service checkouts
Verifying age-restricted purchases
Maintaining till area cleanliness and security

Qualifications and entry routes

No formal qualifications required. On-the-job training provided. Age verification training (Challenge 25) is standard.

Career outlook

Self-service checkouts are reducing traditional cashier roles. Customer service and supervisory skills provide progression to team leader and department manager positions.

Key skills

Cash handling Customer service Speed and accuracy Communication Age verification

Common industries

Supermarkets
Retail stores
DIY stores
Petrol stations
Convenience stores

Data coverage

SOC code 7112

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 51,000

Median Salary

£14,018

Mean Salary

£14,690

Jobs (000s)

51k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £9,105Median: £14,018P75: £18,981

P10: £6kP25: £9kMedian: £14kP75: £19kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£6,214

0-2 years

Mid Level

£9,105

3-7 years

Senior

£18,981

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +205% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +61.5%Real growth: +17.0%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 18.8%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£14,018

Full-time Only

£24,622

Full-time premium: +£10,604

Retail cashiers and check-out operators salary: common questions

How much do retail cashiers and check-out operators earn in the UK?

Retail cashiers and check-out operators earn a median of £24,622 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £9,105 and £18,981.

Is £24,622 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for retail cashiers and check-out operators?

Entry-level retail cashiers and check-out operators typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £9,105, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £6,214.

Have retail cashiers and check-out operators salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median retail cashiers and check-out operators pay has risen from £14,340 to £24,622 — +72% in cash terms, or +24% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for retail cashiers and check-out operators?

Male retail cashiers and check-out operators earn a median £15,999 and female retail cashiers and check-out operators £12,998 — a gap of +19% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).