Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Gambling dealers work in a specialized corner of the service industry focused on casino-style games and customer interaction. Nationally, there are about 89,000 people employed in this occupation, with a national median annual salary of $33,280. The role combines customer-facing service with the need for accuracy, coordination, and attention to rules and procedures. Core strengths for this path include customer service, mathematics, fine motor skills, and strong speaking and listening abilities, supported by interpersonal skills and physical stamina. Although projected employment growth is slightly negative at -0.6%, there are still an estimated 14,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing staffing needs. This career can appeal to people who enjoy engaging directly with guests in fast-paced, structured environments and who are comfortable working with numbers and details. For those considering this option, understanding regional differences in pay and opportunity, along with the skill expectations, is an important part of evaluating long-term fit.
For gambling dealers, the national median annual salary is $33,280, but pay varies widely by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $30,800 in Colorado to $58,700 in Washington. New York shows a median salary of $50,860, while California dealers earn a median of $35,090 and Maryland dealers earn $31,740. At the metro level, some areas stand out with notably higher pay. The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro shows a median salary of $60,490, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $52,060. Other highlighted metros include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $37,240; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA at $35,090; and Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO at $30,800. These differences mean earning potential is highly tied to where you work, with certain metros and states offering substantially higher median pay than the national figure.
Gambling dealers currently account for about 89,000 jobs nationwide. Projected employment growth for this occupation is -0.6%, indicating a slightly declining employment trend over the projection period. Even with this negative growth rate, the occupation is expected to have about 14,000 annual openings. These openings can come from various forms of turnover, such as workers changing occupations or leaving the labor force, in addition to any changes in overall employment levels. For job seekers, this combination means that while the total number of positions is expected to edge down, there is still a consistent flow of opportunities. Anyone considering this career should pay close attention to local labor markets and employer demand, since conditions can differ widely by region. Understanding how this modest decline in projected employment interacts with annual openings can help you set realistic expectations about job availability over time.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for gambling dealers. At the state level, California has the highest employment among the top opportunity-score states, with 15,050 jobs and a median salary of $35,090, and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Washington stand out for higher pay levels, with median salaries of $50,860 and $58,700 respectively, and opportunity scores of 65.78 and 56.29. Colorado and Maryland show more moderate median salaries of $30,800 and $31,740, with opportunity scores of 56.97 and 52.88. Metro areas show even more variation. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro leads with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $52,060. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA combines a high median salary of $60,490 with an opportunity score of 61.92. Other strong metros include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA; and Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO, each with distinct balances of salary, employment levels, and opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for gambling dealers is a high school diploma or equivalent. Beyond this baseline, success in the field depends heavily on a specific mix of skills rather than advanced formal education. Customer service is central, reflecting the constant interaction with guests. Mathematics skills are important, as is being detail oriented, supporting accurate handling of game procedures and numerical information. Fine motor skills and physical strength and stamina matter in a job that can involve repetitive hand movements and extended periods on your feet. Strong interpersonal abilities, along with speaking and listening skills, support clear communication with players and colleagues. Adaptability can help you navigate changing situations, while mechanical skills and writing and reading capabilities round out the profile. For students and career changers, this combination means the role is accessible educationally, but it rewards those who actively develop and practice these core skills.
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