Counter and Rental Clerks: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Counter and Rental Clerks fall under the Sales and Related category in the U.S. occupational classification. Counter and Rental Clerks earn a median salary of $38,540 per year, ranking in the top 88% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do counter and rental clerks earn?

The median annual wage for counter and rental clerks is $38,540. That puts counter and rental clerks at #709 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is counter and rental clerks a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for counter and rental clerks is +3.2%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 408K positions in 2024 to 421K in 2034, a net change of 13K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do counter and rental clerks do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working counter and rental clerks, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Compute charges for merchandise or services and receive payments.
2. 2.Provide information about rental items, such as availability, operation, or description.
3. 3.Advise customers on use and care of merchandise.
4. 4.Reserve items for requested times and keep records of items rented.
5. 5.Recommend and provide advice on a wide variety of products and services.
6. 6.Receive orders for services, such as rentals, repairs, dry cleaning, and storage.
7. 7.Keep records of transactions and of the number of customers entering an establishment.
8. 8.Explain rental fees, policies, and procedures.

Top skills for counter and rental clerks

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become counter and rental clerk?

Many counter and rental clerks enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Sales Engineers
  $121,520 median
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
  $100,070 median
• Models
  $89,990 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
  $84,130 median
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
  $78,140 median
• Real Estate Brokers
  $72,280 median

Common questions parents ask about counter and rental clerks