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ToggleWhat Is the Salary Range for a Casino Dealer?
Casino dealers have a chance to earn tips, just like players have a chance to win games. Tips are a significant part of a dealer’s income, and they come from winning players. The earnings of a casino dealer can vary greatly from day to day and week to week, making it a risky career choice. Some dealers make a lot of money, while others barely make enough to cover living expenses. It’s important to understand the game before pursuing a career in the casino industry.
How Much Do Casino Dealers Make An Hour? (Money)
The national average base pay for a casino dealer is $14,700 a year, not including benefits and tips. The total annual salary ranges from $32,000 to $58,000, which includes benefits like health insurance and tips that make up 50 to 80 percent of the salary. Most casinos start new dealers at minimum wage, around $7.00 to $8.00 an hour, with the possibility of small raises. New dealers start at less popular tables until they gain experience and move up to higher-paying tables. Dealers work at tables they have mastered, but no game guarantees more income than another. Experienced dealers may advance to become supervisors or pit managers, earning an average salary of $60,000 a year.
Variables
Income potential for a casino dealer is influenced by various factors. Supervisors make decisions on dealer placements based on factors like personality and physical features. The goal is to maximize income and customer satisfaction. Optimal placements also utilize optical illusions, such as not placing husky dealers on podium to allow easier movement for guests. During slow seasons or economic downturn, dealers may earn fewer tips and have reduced work hours, impacting base pay and benefits. Weather conditions, time of year, and other factors also play a role in determining potential earnings.
Tips
Casinos are now adopting a new approach to tipping, known as second and third-generation tipping. In some casinos, dealers get to keep the tips they earn during their shift. In other casinos, all tips earned by dealers are pooled together and divided equally among all the dealers at the end of the shift. Third-generation tipping is when dealers share their tips with other workers who help bring business to the table, such as wait staff who refer customers or seat-winning players. By compensating these workers well, dealers can build strong relationships, attract more players to their table, and create a positive working environment that boosts job satisfaction and income potential.
Misconceptions
Fantasy averages can attract new dealers by promising a high salary that is not realistic. These averages are based on unreliable estimates and assume a constant high earning amount. For example, multiplying one week’s earnings by 52 to determine an annual salary can be misleading. It’s important to note that these estimates do not accurately reflect the actual earnings of a casino dealer or recreation worker. Additionally, relying on tips from winnings to estimate income may not be accurate, as customers do not always tip as expected. Pit managers may also intervene if players are winning too much, affecting the flow of tips.
Time Frame
The salary of casino dealers can vary based on the timing of their shifts. Night shifts tend to be busier and more profitable, while morning shifts are slower and allow new dealers to practice and gain experience. High-end customers can visit the casino at any time, with high rollers often providing generous tips. During peak seasons, dealers can expect longer hours and increased tip income. During slower shifts or off-peak times, dealers may choose to leave early or stay and earn their base salary. The lower earnings during these times help balance out the higher earnings during busier periods. Most dealers work an hour at a table before taking a twenty-minute break. Unfortunately, some dealers may step away for a break just as a player starts winning and tipping generously.