Gambling Dealers
Gambling Dealers (SOC 39-3011) earn a median $34,320 a year ($16.50 an hour) in the United States, with 83,910 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Oregon.
What gambling dealers do
Gambling dealers run table games. Standing or sitting behind the table, they hand out cards or other pieces to each player or work other gaming equipment, then pay winners or collect from losers. In blackjack, the dealer deals a house hand and compares it to each player's to decide who wins; in poker, the dealer applies the variations in rules for that game. Before play starts, dealers make sure everyone has bet, and they examine cards and gear to be sure they are in good shape. Dealers also swap paper money for chips or coins, settle bets according to the game's procedures, and greet customers warmly. O*NET titles include baccarat dealer, card game operator, and big six dealer. Their supervisors form a separate code, 39-1013.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a high school diploma or equivalent as the usual education level (about 69 percent).
Also called: Baccarat Dealer, Big Six Dealer, Black Jack Dealer, Blackjack Dealer, Card Dealer.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $11.56 | $12.41 | $16.50 | $23.65 | $37.06 | $20.46 | 83,910 |
| Annual | $24,040 | $25,810 | $34,320 | $49,180 | $77,090 | $42,550 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where gambling dealers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $13.70 | $16.81 | $29.92 | $30.28 | $30.28 | $25.48 | 350 | 0.18 | 0.33 |
| Annual | $28,500 | $34,960 | $62,230 | $62,980 | $62,980 | $52,990 | ||||
| Wisconsin | Hourly | $8.72 | $13.41 | $29.65 | $29.68 | $29.68 | $23.23 | 630 | 0.22 | 0.40 |
| Annual | $18,140 | $27,900 | $61,670 | $61,740 | $61,740 | $48,320 | ||||
| Arizona | Hourly | $18.30 | $26.63 | $29.30 | $43.61 | $43.75 | $33.94 | 1,680 | 0.52 | 0.96 |
| Annual | $38,070 | $55,400 | $60,940 | $90,720 | $91,000 | $70,590 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $16.68 | $18.76 | $28.22 | $38.19 | $63.64 | $33.48 | 4,370 | 1.23 | 2.28 |
| Annual | $34,700 | $39,030 | $58,700 | $79,430 | $132,370 | $69,630 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $15.50 | $16.36 | $24.45 | $27.57 | $28.14 | $22.64 | 2,010 | 0.21 | 0.38 |
| Annual | $32,240 | $34,030 | $50,860 | $57,350 | $58,540 | $47,100 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Nevada | Hourly | $12.00 | $12.00 | $12.35 | $12.62 | $33.10 | $17.07 | 17,390 | 11.21 | 20.78 |
| Annual | $24,960 | $24,960 | $25,690 | $26,250 | $68,850 | $35,510 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $16.50 | $16.50 | $16.87 | $18.50 | $24.43 | $19.78 | 15,050 | 0.83 | 1.53 |
| Annual | $34,320 | $34,320 | $35,090 | $38,480 | $50,810 | $41,140 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $13.00 | $16.37 | $18.51 | $30.57 | $47.25 | $25.55 | 5,370 | 0.54 | 1.00 |
| Annual | $27,040 | $34,050 | $38,500 | $63,590 | $98,280 | $53,150 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $16.68 | $18.76 | $28.22 | $38.19 | $63.64 | $33.48 | 4,370 | 1.23 | 2.28 |
| Annual | $34,700 | $39,030 | $58,700 | $79,430 | $132,370 | $69,630 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $15.49 | $15.49 | $15.87 | $28.88 | $33.61 | $21.04 | 3,030 | 0.71 | 1.31 |
| Annual | $32,220 | $32,220 | $33,000 | $60,070 | $69,910 | $43,760 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | Hourly | $16.98 | $23.50 | $30.69 | $36.40 | $60.06 | $34.67 | 150 | 1.64 | 3.04 |
| Annual | $35,310 | $48,880 | $63,830 | $75,720 | $124,930 | $72,120 | ||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $16.72 | $19.14 | $29.08 | $38.78 | $63.66 | $35.52 | 2,410 | 1.16 | 2.14 |
| Annual | $34,770 | $39,820 | $60,490 | $80,660 | $132,410 | $73,870 | ||||
| Yakima, WA | Hourly | $17.09 | $17.12 | $28.48 | $50.00 | $58.74 | $33.23 | 190 | 1.93 | 3.58 |
| Annual | $35,550 | $35,620 | $59,250 | $104,000 | $122,170 | $69,120 | ||||
| Tucson, AZ | Hourly | $26.16 | $26.16 | $26.16 | $26.63 | $40.55 | $29.62 | 310 | 0.80 | 1.48 |
| Annual | $54,420 | $54,420 | $54,420 | $55,400 | $84,340 | $61,620 | ||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $18.50 | $18.50 | $25.03 | $41.45 | $41.45 | $29.92 | 800 | 0.70 | 1.30 |
| Annual | $38,480 | $38,480 | $52,060 | $86,210 | $86,210 | $62,230 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | Hourly | $12.00 | $12.00 | $12.35 | $12.62 | $37.33 | $17.51 | 15,530 | 13.66 | 25.31 |
| Annual | $24,960 | $24,960 | $25,690 | $26,250 | $77,640 | $36,420 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $16.50 | $16.78 | $16.87 | $17.30 | $21.48 | $18.04 | 4,180 | 0.67 | 1.24 |
| Annual | $34,320 | $34,900 | $35,090 | $35,970 | $44,680 | $37,520 | ||||
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | Hourly | $15.49 | $15.49 | $15.87 | $28.88 | $33.61 | $21.04 | 3,010 | 17.81 | 33.01 |
| Annual | $32,220 | $32,220 | $33,000 | $60,070 | $69,910 | $43,760 | ||||
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | Hourly | $13.37 | $17.42 | $19.22 | $29.50 | $45.57 | $25.11 | 2,710 | 0.96 | 1.78 |
| Annual | $27,800 | $36,240 | $39,970 | $61,360 | $94,780 | $52,240 | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Hourly | $16.50 | $16.50 | $16.61 | $16.72 | $26.18 | $19.29 | 2,580 | 1.51 | 2.79 |
| Annual | $34,320 | $34,320 | $34,560 | $34,780 | $54,450 | $40,130 | ||||
Top industries employing gambling dealers
Traveler Accommodation employ 55.7% of gambling dealers nationally (46,770 jobs) at a median $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour), followed by Gambling Industries (39.9%) and Spectator Sports (2.0%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traveler Accommodation NAICS 721100 | 46,770 | 55.7% | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Gambling Industries NAICS 713200 | 33,490 | 39.9% | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Spectator Sports NAICS 711200 | 1,720 | 2.0% | $32,160 | $15.46 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries NAICS 713900 | 420 | 0.5% | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Civic and Social Organizations NAICS 813400 | 260 | 0.3% | $22,130 | $10.64 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (83,910). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $24,960 for gambling dealers in May 2021 and $34,320 in May 2025, with employment of 64,700 and 83,910.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $24,960 | $12.00 | 64,700 |
| May 2022 | $29,120 | $14.00 | 71,290 |
| May 2023 | $32,240 | $15.50 | 80,570 |
| May 2024 | $33,280 | $16.00 | 82,980 |
| May 2025 | $34,320 | $16.50 | 83,910 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
34 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon profile | $29.92 | $62,230 | $28,500 | $62,980 | 350 | 0.18 | 0.33 |
| 2 | Wisconsin profile | $29.65 | $61,670 | $18,140 | $61,740 | 630 | 0.22 | 0.40 |
| 3 | Arizona profile | $29.30 | $60,940 | $38,070 | $91,000 | 1,680 | 0.52 | 0.96 |
| 4 | Washington profile | $28.22 | $58,700 | $34,700 | $132,370 | 4,370 | 1.23 | 2.28 |
| 5 | New York profile | $24.45 | $50,860 | $32,240 | $58,540 | 2,010 | 0.21 | 0.38 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania profile | $23.19 | $48,230 | $23,560 | $85,530 | 2,970 | 0.49 | 0.91 |
| 7 | Ohio profile | $19.57 | $40,710 | $24,810 | $81,730 | 640 | 0.12 | 0.21 |
| 8 | Delaware profile | $18.91 | $39,330 | $31,200 | $45,530 | 270 | 0.56 | 1.04 |
| 9 | Florida profile | $18.51 | $38,500 | $27,040 | $98,280 | 5,370 | 0.54 | 1.00 |
| 10 | New Mexico profile | $17.78 | $36,990 | $24,960 | $56,250 | 370 | 0.42 | 0.78 |
| 11 | South Dakota profile | $17.40 | $36,190 | $30,090 | $40,070 | 170 | 0.37 | 0.68 |
| 12 | California profile | $16.87 | $35,090 | $34,320 | $50,810 | 15,050 | 0.83 | 1.53 |
| 13 | New Jersey profile | $15.87 | $33,000 | $32,220 | $69,910 | 3,030 | 0.71 | 1.31 |
| 14 | New Hampshire profile | $15.43 | $32,100 | $16,960 | $109,800 | 460 | 0.67 | 1.24 |
| 15 | Maryland profile | $15.26 | $31,740 | $31,200 | $61,920 | 1,770 | 0.64 | 1.18 |
| 16 | Illinois profile | $15.00 | $31,200 | $31,200 | $45,000 | 2,470 | 0.41 | 0.75 |
| 17 | Colorado profile | $14.81 | $30,800 | $30,800 | $81,650 | 870 | 0.30 | 0.56 |
| 18 | Michigan profile | $14.00 | $29,120 | $25,960 | $67,410 | 2,510 | 0.57 | 1.06 |
| 19 | Missouri profile | $13.75 | $28,600 | $28,600 | $64,010 | 1,160 | 0.39 | 0.73 |
| 20 | Arkansas profile | $13.65 | $28,380 | $22,880 | $49,280 | 360 | 0.28 | 0.52 |
| 21 | Mississippi profile | $13.58 | $28,250 | $17,170 | $66,280 | 2,730 | 2.34 | 4.34 |
| 22 | North Dakota profile | $13.16 | $27,370 | $16,960 | $50,430 | 900 | 2.09 | 3.87 |
| 23 | South Carolina profile | $13.15 | $27,350 | $19,610 | $30,880 | 140 | 0.06 | 0.11 |
| 24 | Minnesota profile | $13.07 | $27,190 | $23,250 | $60,890 | 1,370 | 0.47 | 0.86 |
| 25 | Virginia profile | $12.58 | $26,170 | $25,810 | $61,900 | ** | ** | ** |
| 26 | Nevada profile | $12.35 | $25,690 | $24,960 | $68,850 | 17,390 | 11.21 | 20.78 |
| 27 | West Virginia profile | $12.07 | $25,100 | $20,900 | $66,180 | 610 | 0.87 | 1.62 |
| 28 | Texas profile | $12.06 | $25,090 | $20,160 | $47,820 | 560 | 0.04 | 0.07 |
| 29 | Indiana profile | $11.61 | $24,160 | $15,870 | $90,230 | 2,410 | 0.75 | 1.40 |
| 30 | Oklahoma profile | $11.40 | $23,720 | $16,450 | $30,010 | 1,980 | 1.16 | 2.15 |
| 31 | Iowa profile | $11.07 | $23,020 | $17,510 | $50,790 | 970 | 0.62 | 1.15 |
| 32 | Montana profile | $10.55 | $21,940 | $21,940 | $22,130 | ** | ** | ** |
| 33 | Georgia profile | $10.31 | $21,430 | $19,130 | $61,450 | ** | ** | ** |
| 34 | Louisiana profile | $8.54 | $17,760 | $15,080 | $82,390 | 2,650 | 1.37 | 2.53 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (39-3010), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Personal Care and Service Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 39-3011 Gambling Dealers.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 39-3011, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 39-3011.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.