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.
No formal educational credential
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.
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Gambling change persons and booth cashiers support gambling operations by handling money-related customer transactions. This career offers national employment of about 23,000 workers and generates roughly 4,000 annual openings, suggesting ongoing movement into and out of these roles. The national median annual salary is $34,810, with some states and metro areas offering higher pay. The work leans heavily on customer service, interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and basic mathematics, along with physical strength and stamina and fine motor skills. No formal educational credential is typically required, which can make this role accessible for people entering the workforce or changing careers. While projected national employment growth is negative, opportunities still vary by state and metro. Individuals considering this path can compare locations by salary and opportunity scores to find areas that align with their goals and preferred working environments.
Gambling change persons and booth cashiers earn a national median annual salary of $34,810. Pay levels vary meaningfully by state. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $37,350 in California to $48,110 in New York, with Maryland at $41,220, Washington at $38,640, and Colorado at $38,320. At the metro level, some areas show even higher pay. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro has a median salary of $58,790, and San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara offers $48,950. Other metros such as Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim ($39,920), Boston–Cambridge–Newton ($39,590), and Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue ($38,610) sit somewhat above the national median. Together, these figures show that earning potential in this occupation depends heavily on location, with certain states and metros offering notably higher median pay than the national figure.
This occupation has national employment of about 23,000 workers, with projected employment growth of -6.4%. Despite this negative growth projection, there are an estimated 4,000 annual openings. This combination suggests that, even as overall employment is expected to decline, positions will continue to open through turnover, transitions to other roles, and other routine workforce changes. The uniform -6.4% projected growth figure appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating a consistent outlook by location. For job seekers, this means that while long-term expansion of the field is not anticipated, there will still be recurring opportunities to enter the occupation. Those interested in this path may benefit from looking closely at local conditions—such as current employment levels, salaries, and opportunity scores—when deciding where to focus a job search or relocation plans.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for gambling change persons and booth cashiers. Among states, California shows the highest employment level at 4,360 and a median salary of $37,350, with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York combines a higher median salary of $48,110 with employment of 830 and an opportunity score of 65.78. Colorado, Washington, and Maryland have smaller employment counts (320, 670, and 200 respectively) and mid–$30,000s to low–$40,000s median salaries, with opportunity scores from about 52.88 to 56.97. At the metro level, New York–Newark–Jersey City stands out with a median salary of $58,790 and an opportunity score of 77.27. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara has a similar high salary of $48,950 and the highest listed opportunity score at 77.42, though with smaller employment (70). Los Angeles, Boston, and Seattle metros offer median salaries around $38,000–$40,000 and opportunity scores in the low 60s, presenting additional regional options.
The typical education requirement for gambling change persons and booth cashiers is no formal educational credential. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who may not have completed traditional postsecondary programs or who want to move into the workforce quickly. Because formal education is not emphasized, skills become especially important. Key skills include customer service, interpersonal abilities, and being detail oriented, which are all central to working with people and handling transactions accurately. Mathematics skills support everyday numerical tasks, while fine motor skills, physical strength and stamina, and mechanical abilities can contribute to handling cash, chips, or equipment. Adaptability and project management skills support managing changing demands and organizing tasks, and leadership skills can be valuable for those who want to take on more responsibility over time. Together, this mix of skills provides a practical foundation for success in the role, even without formal educational credentials.
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