Counter and Rental Clerks

Career Overview

Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment.

Also Known As

  • Counter Clerk
  • Rental Agent
  • Rental Sales Representative
  • Video Clerk

Alternate Job Titles

  • Airplane Charter Clerk
  • Apartment Rental Clerk
  • Apparel Rental Clerk
  • Auto Rental Clerk
  • Automobile Rental Clerk
  • Automotive Customer Service Advisor (Auto Customer Service Advisor)
  • Baby Stroller Rental Clerk
  • Bicycle Rental Clerk
  • Boat Rental Clerk
  • Boats Renter
  • Car Rental Agent
  • Check Out Clerk
  • Clerk Cashier
  • Clock Repair Clerk
  • Counter Attendant

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

  • Compute charges for merchandise or services and receive payments.
  • Receive orders for services, such as rentals, repairs, dry cleaning, and storage.
  • Explain rental fees, policies, and procedures.
  • Provide information about rental items, such as availability, operation, or description.
  • Advise customers on use and care of merchandise.
  • Greet customers and discuss the type, quality, and quantity of merchandise sought for rental.
  • Answer telephones to provide information and receive orders.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

  1. Active Listening

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

  • Oral Comprehension
  • Oral Expression
  • Speech Recognition
  • Speech Clarity
  • Near Vision
  • Written Comprehension
  • Problem Sensitivity
  • Information Ordering
  • Selective Attention
  • Written Expression

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

  • Social Orientation
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

  • Relationships
  • Support
  • Independence
  • Achievement
  • Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Database

Tools & Equipment

  • 35 millimeter cameras
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Barcode scanners
  • Cash registers
  • Credit card processing machines
  • Delivery trucks
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Handtrucks
  • Nut drivers
  • Personal computers
  • Screwdrivers
  • Surveillance cameras
  • Wire cutters

Work Environment

  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  • Telephone Conversations
  • Contact With Others
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Salary & Job Market

Salary PercentileAnnual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)$28,580
Median$38,540
Top Earners (90th percentile)$62,030

Workers Employed Nationally: 398,620

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:


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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.

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