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Checkout Clerk, Customer Service Representative, Grocery Clerk, Sales Clerk, Salesperson, Store Clerk, Supermarket Clerk, Ticket Agent
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Most cashiers use digital cash registers and price scanners. At the start of each shift, they are given a set amount of money in a drawer. At the end of the shift, they may need to balance their cash against their total cash receipts. Cashiers must know the store’s prices, product codes, policies, and procedures. Their duties will vary depending on where they work. In general, they:
Cashiers, stores, and cafeterias may also:
Cashiers in retail stores may also:
For more information, see the Retail Salesperson occupational profile.
Cashiers in restaurants may also:
Box office cashiers sell tickets at places like theatres, stadiums, and skating rinks. In general, they:
Theatre box office cashiers often do public relations work as well.
Cashiers who work in government departments and other large organizations (such as utility companies) receive and process payments for things such as utility bills, taxes, and parking fines.
Cashiers work with the public. Most stand in small booths or behind counters for long periods. They constantly use keypads, touch screens, and scanners. Sometimes they are near store entrances, which can be drafty in winter. During busy periods, they may feel pressure to work quickly while being accurate and pleasant.
Cashiers in grocery stores, cafeterias, theatres, and retail stores often work evenings and weekends. They may work part time during busy periods. Restaurant and hotel cashiers often work rotating shifts without set days off. Vacation times may be limited to less busy times of year. Break times may vary depending on how busy the workplace is.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Cashiers
2023 OaSIS: 65100.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Cashiers need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 103 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Aug 11, 2025 and Oct 08, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Operate cash register | 97 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Greet customers | 93 |
| Tasks: Process money, cheques and credit/debit card payments | 88 |
| Tasks: Receive payment for goods or services | 77 |
| Tasks: Scan items | 72 |
| Tasks: Provide customer service | 70 |
| Tasks: Calculate daily/shift payments received and reconcile with total sales | 65 |
| Experience: Will train | 62 |
| Tasks: Stock shelves and clean counter area | 53 |
| Tasks: Tabulate total payment for goods or services required | 41 |
The main requirements for cashiers are the abilities to provide good customer service and to work with numbers accurately and quickly. Those who work with large sums of money must be bondable (That means they are seen as responsible and law-abiding by an insurance company). Cashiers who work with foreign currency must know how to process conversions. Computer experience is an asset.
Cashiers usually train on the job. Some employers provide short online or in-person training sessions before they put inexperienced cashiers on the floor.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Cashiers work in:
In some stores, they must join a union to work.
Cashiers may move into positions in other store departments. They may also advance to supervisory positions. In some stores, they may advance to assistant or branch manager positions.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Cashiers
2016 NOC: 6611
91.3% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In some retail establishments, the starting wage for cashiers is at or just above minimum wage.
As of June 26, 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Employment Standards Rules.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $16.50 | $15.28 | $15.00 |
| Overall | $15.00 | $20.16 | $17.61 | $17.50 |
| Top | $16.00 | $28.21 | $21.63 | $21.21 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $25,136 |
|---|---|
| Retail Trade | $25,301 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $20,743 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $18,979 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $27,901 |
| Public Administration | $29,613 |
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
