Counter and Rental Clerk
Description OES Code: 49017
Receive orders for services, such as rentals, repairs, dry-cleaning, and storage. May compute cost and accept payment.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $6.63
25th Percentile $7.16
50th Percentile $8.59
75th Percentile $10.76

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage minimum
25th Percentile $6.32
50th Percentile $7.34
75th Percentile $8.57

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Most employers surveyed offer paid vacation and sick leave; some have paid medical insurance coverage. A few larger employers have employee retirement plans. Rental Clerks can expect to spend some nights, weekends and holidays on the job. They often start a new job working part time, 20 to 30 hours per week.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 47,600
Projected Employment 2008 62,200
Percent Change 1998-2008 30.7%
Separations 1998-2008 23,800

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 730
Projected Employment 2006 990
Percent Change 1999-2006 35.6%
Separations 1999-2006 260

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Rental Clerks work in many environments, depending mainly on the product or service. Furniture and Car Rental Clerks work mostly in well-lighted, and nice places. Storage Facility, Trailer, Tools and Equipment Rental Clerks have work areas that are practical and not very fancy. Rental clerks must be polite and patient with customers, even angry ones. They stand on their feet for most of the shift. Lots of times, they need enough strength to help customers lift heavy things.

Advancement
Chances for promotion to higher jobs are mainly in large stores or franchises. In these organizations, an experienced rental clerk may promote to crew leader, supervisor, or in time to department or store manager. Some people move into other retail or wholesale jobs. For example, Car Rental Agents may become car salespersons or leasing representatives.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Applying to retail stores that have rental show rooms or to stores with a rental department is still the best way to find a job. Both experienced and entry-level job hunters can register for work with the California Employment Development Department, Job Match, an automated system that matches applicants with employer job listings.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Employers prefer workers with energy and sales experience. Many employers will accept applicants with no sales experience if they are confident and have the potential to persuade customers to rent things. Employers look for workers who are able to work well with customers, care about their problems, and treat them with courtesy and respect, even in difficult situations. Most employers expect a high school diploma and knowledge of basic business math. Workers applying for these jobs are expected to speak English well, have readable handwriting, and some experience in customer service and cash handling. More and more rental clerks need basic computer skills to use terminals and bar code scanners. Computer knowledge gives applicants an advantage, especially with bigger companies.

Skills & Other Requirements
Persons interested in becoming counter and rental clerks should have the ability to apply product knowledge to marketing of goods, apply telephone communication as a sales tool, describe and demonstrate goods and services, follow/give instructions, perform bookkeeping functions, price merchandise, provide customer service, receive payments, make change, sell merchandise, understand sales contracts, use cash registers & computers, use sales techniques, weigh/package products, balance cash registers, and keep records & maintain files.

References
California Occupational Guide #511

Related Occupations: Buyers, Retail Trade, Interior Designers, Retail Store Managers

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)