Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment.
Counter and Rental Clerks
SOC: 41-2021 O*NET: 41-2021.00
Median Salary
$38,540
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
45.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment.
What does a Counter and Rental Clerks do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$28,580
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,200
25th percentile
Median
$38,540
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,290
75th percentile
Top Earners
$62,030
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$28,580
25th
$34,200
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,540
Mean: $43,700
75th
$48,290
90th
$62,030
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $33,450 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,200 and $48,290
- •Salary spread is 36.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 398,620 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:408,200
Top Industries
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing47.6%
Real Estate25.2%
Rental and Leasing Services22.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.2%
Annual Openings:45,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)408,200
Current
2034 (Projected)421,300
+3.2%
+13,100
Employment Change
+3.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Counter and Rental Clerks professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
69,870 jobs$41,3501.50x
Texas
37,680 jobs$35,2101.05x
Florida
29,150 jobs$37,4601.15x
New York
18,900 jobs$44,6300.77x
North Carolina
16,150 jobs$37,6301.27x
Washington
16,010 jobs$47,4201.75x
Colorado
14,660 jobs$44,8501.96x
Virginia
14,080 jobs$42,2501.34x
Michigan
11,610 jobs$38,3101.02x
Illinois
11,420 jobs$36,8300.73x
New Jersey
10,430 jobs$45,2600.95x
Georgia
10,180 jobs$35,9900.81x
Pennsylvania
10,050 jobs$40,7100.65x
Indiana
9,750 jobs$36,0501.18x
Ohio
9,430 jobs$36,7000.66x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Service Orientation
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
66%
#7
Writing
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.3
66%
Writing
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants100%
5 shared skills
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers100%
5 shared skills
File Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Office Clerks, General90%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Writing
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Counter and Rental Clerks
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Oracle Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Oracle Database
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)
1
Compute charges for merchandise or services and receive payments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Prepare merchandise for display or for purchase or rental.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Recommend and provide advice on a wide variety of products and services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Answer telephones to provide information and receive orders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Greet customers and discuss the type, quality, and quantity of merchandise sought for rental.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Keep records of transactions and of the number of customers entering an establishment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Prepare rental forms, obtaining customer signature and other information, such as required licenses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Receive, examine, and tag articles to be altered, cleaned, stored, or repaired.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Inspect and adjust rental items to meet needs of customer.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Explain rental fees, policies, and procedures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Counter and Rental Clerks
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Counter and Rental Clerks professionals typically have a CES Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
EEnterprising
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Counter and Rental Clerks
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.54
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.46
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.39
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.33
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.19
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Integrity
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Concern for Others
4.1
Leadership
3.9
Initiative
3.8
Independence
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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