Gambling Dealers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Gambling Dealers fall under the Personal Care and Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Gambling Dealers earn a median salary of $33,280 per year, ranking in the top 99% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -0.6% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do gambling dealers earn?

The median annual wage for gambling dealers is $33,280. That puts gambling dealers at #799 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is gambling dealers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for gambling dealers is -0.6%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 88K positions in 2024 to 88K in 2034, a net change of 0K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do gambling dealers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working gambling dealers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Exchange paper currency for playing chips or coin money.
2. 2.Stand behind a gaming table and deal the appropriate number of cards to each player.
3. 3.Start and control games and gaming equipment, and announce winning numbers or colors.
4. 4.Pay winnings or collect losing bets as established by the rules and procedures of a specific game.
5. 5.Inspect cards and equipment to be used in games to ensure that they are in good condition.
6. 6.Deal cards to house hands, and compare these with players' hands to determine winners, as in black jack.
7. 7.Conduct gambling games, such as dice, roulette, cards, or keno, following all applicable rules and regulations.
8. 8.Work as part of a team of dealers in games, such as baccarat or craps.

Top skills for gambling dealers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become gambling dealer?

Many gambling dealers enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers
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• Embalmers
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• Costume Attendants
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• Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
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• Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers
  $49,800 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
  $47,080 median

Common questions parents ask about gambling dealers