How much does a gambling manager make?
The median gambling manager in the United States earns $85,580 per year, about $41.14 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all gambling managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 11-9071.
Gambling manager salary range
Pay for gambling managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $51,670 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $165,220. The average (mean) wage of $102,480 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,670 | $24.84 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $70,190 | $33.74 | |
| Median (50th) | $85,580 | $41.14 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $120,490 | $57.93 | |
| 90th percentile | $165,220 | $79.43 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for gambling managers (SOC 11-9071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Gambling manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Gambling managers earn the most in Washington at $121,800 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $65,520. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $121,800 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $107,700 | 30 |
| New Jersey | $106,140 | 150 |
| California | $102,810 | 640 |
| Maryland | $102,630 | 130 |
| Oregon | $101,780 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $99,810 | 60 |
| Michigan | $98,020 | 130 |
| Massachusetts | $97,720 | 40 |
| New York | $94,150 | 140 |
| Indiana | $91,390 | 70 |
| Nevada | $87,800 | 760 |
| Florida | $84,450 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $84,440 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $83,750 | 180 |
| Kansas | $81,830 | 40 |
| Arizona | $80,460 | 200 |
| Minnesota | $79,390 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $78,340 | 170 |
| Ohio | $77,680 | 80 |
| Iowa | $77,070 | 110 |
| Illinois | $75,990 | 230 |
| Missouri | $75,950 | 70 |
| South Dakota | $74,500 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $68,860 | 260 |
| Kentucky | $65,520 | 40 |
State median wages for gambling managers (SOC 11-9071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for gambling managers
The BLS projects employment of gambling managers to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 5,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 5,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 600 openings a year for gambling managers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a gambling manager
The typical entry-level education for gambling managers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a gambling manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $121,800) and the lowest (Kentucky, $65,520) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 4,620 people work as gambling managers in the United States. At $85,580 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Gambling manager salary FAQ
How much does a gambling manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a gambling manager is $41.14. The middle half of gambling managers earn between $33.74 and $57.93 per hour.
What is the highest gambling manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of gambling managers earn more than $165,220 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a gambling manager make a year?
The median annual salary for a gambling manager is $85,580. The average (mean) wage of $102,480 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a gambling manager a well paid job?
At $85,580 a year, a gambling manager earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 4,620 people work as gambling managers in the United States.
Which state pays gambling managers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for gambling managers at $121,800 a year. Wisconsin ($107,700) and New Jersey ($106,140) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a gambling manager a good career?
Employment of gambling managers is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a gambling manager?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for gambling managers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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