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Casino dealer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$34,320median pay per year, or $16.50 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $24,040lowest 10% earn less
  2. $25,81025th percentile
  3. $34,320median
  4. $49,18075th percentile
  5. $77,090top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Casino dealers, which BLS calls gambling dealers, had a median pay of $34,320 a year in May 2025, below the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. Pay spreads widely, with the top earners well above the median[1][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.4%[4]
Openings per year
13,300[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do casino dealers make?

In May 2025, the median wage for gambling dealers was $34,320 a year, or $16.50 an hour[1]. The mean (average) was higher, at $42,550 a year, or $20.46 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].

The pay range is wide.

Point in the range Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[3][8] $24,040 $11.56
25th percentile[3][8] $25,810 $12.41
Median[1] $34,320 $16.50
75th percentile[3][8] $49,180 $23.65
90th percentile[3][8] $77,090 $37.06

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $24,040 a year[3]. The top 10% earned more than $77,090[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].

The figures cover part-time and full-time wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not count bonuses or the cost of benefits[10].

Pay by state and city

Among the 34 states with published data, Oregon had the highest median at $62,230[11]. Wisconsin followed at $61,670, Arizona at $60,940 and Washington at $58,700[11]. Louisiana had the lowest at $17,760[11].

The states with the most jobs are not the top payers. Nevada had 17,390 jobs, California 15,050 and Florida 5,370[12]. Their medians were $25,690 in Nevada, $35,090 in California and $38,500 in Florida[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA had the highest median at $63,830, then Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $60,490[13]. Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV had the most jobs at 15,530, with a median of $25,690[14].

Show median pay in 34 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Oregon[11]$62,230350
Wisconsin$61,670630
Arizona$60,9401,680
Washington$58,7004,370
New York$50,8602,010
Pennsylvania$48,2302,970
Ohio$40,710640
Delaware$39,330270
Florida$38,5005,370
New Mexico$36,990370
South Dakota$36,190170
California$35,09015,050
New Jersey$33,0003,030
New Hampshire$32,100460
Maryland$31,7401,770
Illinois$31,2002,470
Colorado$30,800870
Michigan$29,1202,510
Missouri$28,6001,160
Arkansas$28,380360
Mississippi$28,2502,730
North Dakota$27,370900
South Carolina$27,350140
Minnesota$27,1901,370
Virginia$26,170n/a
Nevada$25,69017,390
West Virginia$25,100610
Texas$25,090560
Indiana$24,1602,410
Oklahoma$23,7201,980
Iowa$23,020970
Montana$21,940n/a
Georgia$21,430n/a
Louisiana$17,7602,650

How to become a casino dealer

Some of this comes from a BLS handbook profile that covers a wider group of gambling occupations, not only dealers[15].

License candidates must show photo identification and pay a fee. They usually also face a thorough background check and a drug test, and failing the background check may block a job or license[18]. Age rules differ by state, so check your state's gambling commission website[19].

In an O*NET survey of 32 dealers, 69% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 15% said less than a diploma and 6% said some college courses[20].

Dealers can move up to gambling supervisor and later to manager[21].

What casino dealers do

Dealers run table games. They stand or sit at the table, hand out cards or other game pieces and handle winnings and bets[22]. Sample titles include blackjack dealer, poker dealer and card dealer[23]. O*NET lists these tasks:

Good communication matters too, because dealers explain the rules to customers and answer questions[25].

Where they work

Dealers spend most of a shift standing or sitting behind a table[26]. According to the handbook profile for gambling services workers, casino hotels were the largest employer group in 2025, at 34%[27]. That profile covers a wider group[15].

Casinos usually run around the clock, every day of the week[28]. Staff are often scheduled for nights, weekends and holidays, which tend to be the busiest times[28]. The profile says part-time work is common[28].

The floor can be noisy[29]. Casinos in some states allow indoor smoking, which can expose workers to secondhand smoke[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of gambling dealers to rise 3.4% between 2025 and 2035, from about 88,900 to 91,900 jobs[4]. That is about 3,000 more jobs, and the counts include self-employed workers[4]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[31]. So dealers are projected to grow at about the same pace.

BLS projects about 13,300 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 5.6% of dealers leave the labor force and 8.7% move to a different occupation[32].

Is it a good fit?

Entry is open to people with a high school diploma and no related experience, and training is short[6]. Pay varies a lot. The median is below the all-occupations median, but the top 10% earned more than $77,090[1][2][3]. Where you work matters: the states with the most jobs, such as Nevada, had lower medians than Oregon or Wisconsin[11][12]. Plan for a state license with a background check and drug test[18]. Shifts can fall on nights, weekends and holidays[28].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[33].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a casino dealer make an hour?
The median wage for gambling dealers was $16.50 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $20.46[1][7].
Do you need a degree to be a casino dealer?
No. BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[6].
How long is gambling school?
The handbook profile says new dealers may attend a school lasting a few weeks. The profile covers a wider group of gambling occupations[16][15].
What is the highest paying state for casino dealers?
Oregon had the highest state median at $62,230, followed by Wisconsin at $61,670[11].
Is casino dealer in demand?
BLS projects 3.4% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,300 openings a year[4][31][5].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Gambling Dealers in the US was $34,320 per year and $16.50 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Gambling Dealers: 10th percentile $24,040, 25th percentile $25,810, 75th percentile $49,180, 90th percentile $77,090. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Gambling Dealers is projected to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 88,900 to 91,900 jobs (a change of +3,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 13,300 openings for Gambling Dealers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Gambling Dealers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Gambling Dealers was $42,550 per year and $20.46 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Gambling Dealers: 10th percentile $11.56, 25th percentile $12.41, 75th percentile $23.65, 90th percentile $37.06. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Gambling Dealers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Gambling Dealers jobs: Nevada 17,390; California 15,050; Florida 5,370; Washington 4,370; New Jersey 3,030. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Gambling Dealers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $63,830; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $60,490; Yakima, WA $59,250; Tucson, AZ $54,420; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $52,060; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $39,970; Pittsburgh, PA $39,500; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $37,240. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Gambling Dealers jobs: Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV 15,530 (median $25,690); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,180 (median $35,090); Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ 3,010 (median $33,000); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 2,710 (median $39,970); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 2,580 (median $34,560); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 2,410 (median $60,490). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Gambling Services Workers" covers Gambling Dealers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET 39-3011.00 survey of workers (32 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 69%, Less than a High School Diploma 15%, Some College Courses 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET description of Gambling Dealers. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET 39-3011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Black Jack Dealer, Blackjack Dealer, Card Dealer, Casino Dealer, Dealer, Dual Rate Dealer, Games Dealer, Poker Dealer. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Gambling Dealers. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of gambling services workers in 2025: Casino hotels 34%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Gambling Dealers: 5.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 8.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.