How Much Are Casino Dealers Paid?
Whether you are playing online baccarat or sitting at a table in a land casino, baccarat players spend more time watching the dealer than almost any other type of player on the casino floor. The pace is steady, players watch avidly as the cards are revealed, and tipping etiquette is part of the game. If you’ve ever been sitting at a baccarat table and down on your luck, then you may well have wondered whether the dealer is doing better out of the session than you are and how much casino dealers earn.
There is, of course, great variation in dealers’ salaries. Much will depend on what country you are in. However, we will focus on the US, as this is where the most data is available. In the United States, dealer pay usually is made up of two parts: hourly wages and tips. For dealers working baccarat tables, particularly in busy or high-limit rooms, the tips often bring in far more than base pay.
Average Casino Dealer Pay in the US
Across the United States, casino dealers earn an average base wage of about $19 per hour. That translates to roughly $25,000 to $35,000 per year before tips, depending on whether the dealer works full-time or part-time.
However, base pay alone is not a good indicator of real earnings. In land casinos, tips can easily add another $10 to $25 per hour. In very busy rooms, total earnings will often be between $40,000 and $60,000 per year. If the dealer is working at a premium casino or luxury resort, then that figure can be higher.
As mentioned, tips are often the main income for casino dealers. A dealer who makes $150 to $200 in tips during an eight-hour shift has effectively added between $18 and $25 per hour to their wage.
At baccarat tables, tipping tends to be steady rather than flashy. Players may tip after a long winning streak, place occasional dealer bets, or leave chips behind when cashing out. High-limit baccarat rooms can be especially lucrative for dealers, as the bets are far larger and the sums spent are bigger.
The way that tips are handled varies from casino to casino. Some use pooled systems, where all the dealers share the tips equally. Others allow individual tipping. This can also have a large impact on how much a dealer earns, and is something they will likely have strong views about.
The Importance of Location and Game Type
It is no surprise that where a dealer works has a major impact on earnings. In Las Vegas, the base wages are often lower, sometimes close to minimum wage. However, Vegas casinos attract heavy foot traffic, and there is a good tipping culture, which means that many dealers can rely on tips to earn a comfortable living. When it comes to baccarat, dealers on the Strip often benefit from international players and higher-limit action.
In Atlantic City, base pay is generally higher, although tables may be quieter. Dealers have said that this can make earnings more predictable across shifts. Some states, such as Washington State, offer dealers much higher hourly wages, even before tips. Cruise ship dealers are a separate case. The wagers are lower, but dealers enjoy free accommodation and travel.
The type of game also makes a big difference. Baccarat and craps are often better for tips than slower or lower-stake table games.
In short, when it comes to how much casino dealers earn in the US, they have fairly modest base wages; however, tips make all the difference. This is particularly true for baccarat dealers, especially in busy casinos or high-limit rooms, and their total income can be well above the national average.
