How Much Do Casino Dealers Make? Casino Dealer Salary, Tips & Benefits
Summarize this post
How Much Do Casino Dealers Make: What You’ll Learn?
🎯 How much casino dealers earn in base salary per hour and per year, in the US and in key regions like Las Vegas and Atlantic City
💰 How tips work for casino dealers, typical daily tip ranges, and how tip pools versus individual tips affect take-home pay
📊 How different factors (type of casino, location, shift, experience and personality) impact a dealer’s total income
🏙️ What the day-to-day work environment is like, including schedules, noise, smoke, benefits, and the main downsides of the job
🎓 The steps to become a casino dealer, including training, dealer school costs, licensing and the hiring process
Casino dealers are the face of the gaming floor. They’re the people players interact with, rely on for guidance, and sometimes blame when the cards don’t fall their way. If you’ve ever wondered “How much do casino dealers make?” or considered becoming one yourself, this guide breaks down casino dealer salary, tips, benefits and how to get started.
Below you’ll learn:
- Average casino dealer salary (hourly and yearly)
- How much casino dealers make with tips
- Pay differences in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and on cruise ships
- Work environment, pros and cons
- How to become a casino dealer step-by-step
Quick Answer: How Much Do Casino Dealers Make?
On average in the United States, casino dealers earn around $19 per hour in base pay, which works out to roughly $25,000–$35,000 per year before tips. With tips included, many dealers can earn an extra $10–$25 or more per hour, bringing total pay into the $40,000–$60,000+ per year range in busy casinos.
Actual income will vary based on:
- Location (Las Vegas vs. local casinos vs. cruise ships)
- Type of casino (high-end resort vs. locals casino)
- Shifts (day, swing or graveyard)
- Experience, personality and customer service skills
What Does a Casino Dealer Do?
A casino dealer is responsible for running table games smoothly, fairly and according to house rules. Depending on the games they’re assigned to, a typical casino dealer job includes shuffling and dealing cards, spinning the roulette wheel, handling the dice at games like Craps, managing player bets and payouts, and announcing game actions such as “No more bets” or “Blackjack.”
Dealers must ensure all bets are placed correctly, pay out winning bets accurately, report irregularities or cheating attempts, and maintain a professional, friendly demeanor with players of all temperaments. Strong math skills, attention to detail and good communication are essential to succeed and maximize tips.
Types of Casino Games Dealers Run
Different table games require different skills and styles of dealing, but most casino dealers will be trained on multiple games.
Card Games
- Blackjack
- Poker variants (for example, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker)
- Baccarat and Mini-Baccarat
Wheel Games
- Roulette
Dice Games
- Craps
- Sic Bo
Learning multiple games can make you more valuable to a casino and potentially lead to more shifts and higher income.
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock
Casino Dealer Work Environment
Casinos operate 24/7, so there must always be dealers on the floor. That environment comes with some unique features.
Schedule and Shifts
Most casino dealer shifts are around 8 hours with regular breaks. Dealers may work nights, weekends and holidays, and shifts are often assigned based on seniority and staffing needs. It is common to rotate through day, swing (mid-afternoon to midnight) and graveyard (late-night) shifts.
Noise, Crowds and Distractions
Dealers must stay focused in a busy, stimulating environment filled with bright lights, constant machine sounds, and crowds walking by and sitting at the table. Players arrive with different moods, levels of inebriation and temperaments. Some casinos allow smoking or have designated smoking areas, so dealers may be exposed to second-hand smoke as well.
Security and Professionalism
Dealers work under heavy surveillance, with cameras monitoring every move and security staff nearby. They are expected to maintain a professional appearance, be patient and courteous with all types of customers, explain game rules to newcomers and stay calm when players are frustrated or angry.
Average Casino Dealer Salary (Base Pay in the US)
Entry-Level Casino Dealer Salary
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average casino dealer base pay in the United States is around $19.25 per hour. For those new to the industry, the starting casino dealer salary averages about $25,657 per year, not including tips.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Casino Dealer Pay
There are important differences between full-time and part-time (extra-board) dealers.
Full-Time Dealers
Full-time casino dealers typically work around 40 hours per week, enjoy more stable and regular shifts, and may qualify for benefits such as health insurance, paid time off and sometimes retirement plans or other perks.
Part-Time (Extra-Board) Dealers
Part-time casino dealers, often called extra-board dealers, are essential to casino operations but generally have less predictable schedules. They work when extra staffing is needed, may get fewer hours overall, and often receive lower base pay with limited or no benefits. Being an extra-board dealer can be a good way to break into the industry, but income can fluctuate.
Casino Dealer Salary by Location
How Much Do Vegas Casino Dealers Make?
Casino dealers in the Las Vegas area often have a lower hourly mean wage of around $15 per hour in base pay, according to the BLS. However, this is only part of the story. Because Las Vegas is a major casino destination, dealers handle a high volume of players and benefit from frequent and sometimes larger tips. As a result, many Vegas casino dealers can earn a solid living primarily due to tips, despite the lower base wage.
Other Regions: Washington, Atlantic City and Cruise Ships
Some casino dealers in Washington State can make over $30 per hour in base pay. Atlantic City generally offers a higher hourly wage than Las Vegas and features several mid-tier casinos. These casinos may not be as consistently busy as Vegas, but shifts can be steadier.
Cruise ship casino dealers often earn lower overall base pay than Vegas dealers, but this can be balanced by free or discounted room and board, the ability to travel internationally and possible tax advantages depending on your situation.
Even within the same state, casino dealer pay can vary based on local minimum wage laws, whether dealers are unionized and the size and type of the casino, such as a large resort compared to a riverboat or tribal casino.
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock
How Much Do Casino Dealers Make in Tips?
Typical Casino Dealer Tips
Tips are usually the largest portion of a dealer’s income. On average, casino dealers can make hundreds of dollars per day in tips, with many reporting an average around $200 per day in busy casinos.
If a dealer works 8 hours and makes $80 in tips, that is an extra $10 per hour. If they take home $200 in tips, that is $25 per hour on top of their base wage. Over time, this can significantly increase total earnings.
How Players Tip Dealers
Tipping varies by game and by player. Common methods include direct tips, where players hand the dealer chips or cash when they leave the table, and dealer bets or toke bets, where players place a bet for the dealer alongside their own. If the bet wins, the dealer collects the payout.
For example, at Blackjack, a player might place a chip in front of the dealer as a toke bet. At a Craps table, a player might call out “Two Way Hard 8,” meaning a portion of the bet on a Hard 8 goes to the dealer. Because dealers see a constant flow of players, even small tips add up, and a player who wins a few hundred dollars could easily leave a generous tip.
Tip Pools vs. Individual Tips
Casinos have different policies on tipping. In a tip pool system, all dealers pool their tips together, and the total is divided equally. This can smooth out income between busy and slow tables, but high-performing dealers may feel they are subsidizing coworkers who are less attentive.
In an individual tip system, dealers keep tips given directly to them. In pooled environments, you can sometimes tip a dealer directly, such as when they go on break, to help ensure they keep more of that money.
Games like Craps, Mini-Baccarat and Blackjack often generate some of the best tips for dealers, especially when the table is busy and the atmosphere is lively.
Factors That Impact Casino Dealer Income
A casino dealer’s salary and total pay can vary widely based on several factors.
High-End Resorts vs. Locals Casinos
High-end resort casinos tend to attract wealthier, higher-spending clientele, which can mean larger average bets, bigger tips and potentially higher expectations for service. Local casinos, tribal casinos or riverboat casinos may not be as consistently busy, may have smaller average bets and may offer fewer opportunities for large tips.
Shift Type: Day vs. Swing vs. Graveyard
Day shift and swing shift, which usually runs from mid-afternoon to midnight, often produce better tips because more players visit during these times and many people come before or after shows, dinners or events. Graveyard shift, or late-night and early-morning hours, can be slower with fewer players and less tip potential, though some Las Vegas graveyard shifts can still be busy in certain areas.
The time of year also matters. Peak tourist season typically means more shifts and higher earnings, while slow seasons can result in fewer players and reduced tips.
Experience and Seniority
Experience matters a lot in how much casino dealers make. Seniority may lead to better base pay and preferred shifts, while experienced dealers are often better at reading the table, keeping the game moving, engaging with players and encouraging a fun, positive atmosphere. All of this can translate into more and larger tips.
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock
Benefits and Perks of Working as a Casino Dealer
Like any job, the benefits package varies by employer, but common casino dealer benefits include health insurance, paid time off, free or discounted meals, union representation and training programs.
Many casinos offer some form of health coverage, though the level of coverage varies. Dealers may accrue paid time off based on company policy and years of service. Some casinos provide free meals in employee dining rooms, while others offer meals at a deep discount.
Many casino dealers are unionized, especially in states like Nevada and New Jersey. Unions can help negotiate wages, benefits and job security. Casinos may also offer in-house training or partner with dealer schools to help new dealers learn game rules, dealing procedures, customer etiquette and game protection.
Downsides and Challenges of Casino Dealer Jobs
Being surrounded by casino action can be exciting, but there are real challenges to consider before pursuing a casino dealer career.
- Long hours standing or sitting. Dealers often stand or sit in one place for long periods, which can lead to chronic back, leg or joint pain.
- Exposure to smoke. In casinos where smoking is allowed, dealers may be exposed to second-hand smoke for hours at a time.
- Loud and overstimulating environment. Bright lights, constant noise and crowds can increase stress levels and lead to sensory fatigue.
- Shift work and late nights. Irregular hours and late-night shifts can disrupt sleep patterns, cause stress and strain personal relationships.
- Slow seasons reduce income. Like servers in a restaurant, if the casino is slow, tips are lower and total income drops.
- Difficult players. Players who are losing may blame dealers for their bad luck, become verbally abusive, or ignore table etiquette, especially when drunk or high. Dealing with these situations calmly and professionally is part of the job.
How to Become a Casino Dealer
Casino dealers are trained gaming professionals who must follow strict regulations and maintain proper licenses.
Most dealers attend a dealer school, which may be run by a casino or offered at a local college or vocational program. Training typically covers rules and procedures for each game, how to handle cards, chips and payouts, game protection and security awareness, and customer service and table etiquette.
The cost of dealer school usually ranges from $500 to $2,000, and programs often last 4–8 weeks depending on the number of games and the program structure.
After training, it may take a few weeks to several months to get hired, depending on the casino’s hiring needs, background check process and local licensing requirements. Some casinos may offer paid training to new hires, especially if they are in need of more dealers.
FAQs: Casino Dealer Salary and Career
How much do casino dealers make an hour?
In the United States, casino dealers make around $19 per hour on average in base pay, though this can range lower or higher depending on location and the specific casino. Tips often add another $10–$25 or more per hour, especially in busy casinos or major gambling destinations.
How much do casino dealers make a year?
Base salaries for casino dealers typically fall around $25,000–$35,000 per year. With tips included, many dealers can earn $40,000–$60,000 or more annually, and experienced dealers in high-traffic casinos can sometimes make even higher incomes.
How much do blackjack dealers make?
Blackjack dealer salary is similar to other table game dealers, but tips can be especially strong because Blackjack is popular and fast-paced. A skilled Blackjack dealer in a busy casino may see significant tip income, which can greatly boost total earnings beyond base pay.
Do casino dealers keep all their tips?
Whether casino dealers keep all their tips depends on the casino’s policy. Some casinos use tip pools, where all dealers share tips, while others allow dealers to keep individual tips. In pooled environments, it is sometimes possible to tip a dealer directly, for example when they go on break, to help them keep more of that money.
How much do Vegas casino dealers really make?
Las Vegas casino dealers may have a lower average base wage of around $15 per hour, but they can make up for it in tips due to high volumes of players and bigger spenders. Many Vegas dealers report making a solid living, with tips making up the bulk of their income.
Do casino dealers get benefits?
Many full-time casino dealers receive benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, free or discounted meals and sometimes retirement plans. Unionized dealers may enjoy stronger protections, better wages and improved benefits packages, but offerings vary by employer and location.
Is being a casino dealer a good career?
Being a casino dealer can be a fun and financially rewarding career for people who enjoy fast-paced, social environments, have strong math and people skills and do not mind working nights, weekends and holidays. The job does come with downsides such as smoke, late-night shifts and dealing with difficult customers, so it is important to weigh the pros and cons.
Do I need experience to become a casino dealer?
You do not usually need prior dealing experience, but you will need training. Most new dealers attend a dealer school or complete a casino-run training program, then pass a background check and meet local licensing requirements before working on the gaming floor.
If you are serious about becoming a casino dealer, your next step is to explore dealer schools or casino training programs in your area and decide which games you would like to specialize in first, whether that is Blackjack, Roulette, Craps or other table games.
Title Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock
