Why We Love It
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$50,130Potential Avg. Salary
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0.7%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Dependable Daily WorkloadCareer Attribute
Casino pit bosses are responsible for overseeing the actions taking place by both dealers and players for a section of table games. Pit bosses ensure money is being handled correctly, watch players for signs of cheating or counting cards, watch for signs of dealer fatigue, and oversee transactions to prevent errors.
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What is a Casino Pit Boss?
The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in casino pit boss roles:
- Watch over a section of two or more table games
- Observe actions on the table to serve as a second set of eyes for the dealer, helping ensure transactions are correct, and making sure players adhere to rules
- Serve as an escalation point when a dealer has unhappy or unruly players
- Make sure dealers take breaks and switch tables when required to prevent fatigue
- Observe players suspected of counting cards or cheating to prevent theft from the casino
A Day in the Life
Casino pit bosses are table games supervisors. They are the individuals who wear suits and walk around in the roped-off area behind table games, observing the actions taking place on several tables. Casino pit bosses play an important role in protecting the assets of the casino. They oversee financial transactions between dealers and players to ensure dealers do not mistakenly overpay, observe players for suspected malicious activity, and investigate issues when disputes are raised.
For the dealer, having a pit boss means you have an escalation point when issues arise. If a player complains that the dealer is cheating, argues against a dealer’s decision, or becomes otherwise unruly, the dealer escalates the problem to the pit boss to resolve. This allows the dealer to keep his/her focus on the cards and money rather than diverting attention to a player who’s making a scene. The dealer also reports suspected cheating to the pit boss who can observe the player without being noticed.
Casino pit bosses often observe many tables at once, and may oversee either a variety of games or a single game on multiple tables. They inform dealers when it’s time to switch tables, make sure dealers are taking breaks when required, and observe dealers for signs of fatigue. Because dealing table games requires a lot of concentration and attention to detail, a fatigued dealer can cause the casino to suffer from profit loss. For this reason, casino pit bosses are accountable for making sure dealers are focused.
Typical Work Schedule
Most casino pit bosses work full-time schedules, but their working hours can be irregular. In some areas, casinos are open 24-hours a day, so pit bosses may be required to work first, second, or third shifts. Additionally, weekend and holiday work is commonly required, and since casinos are most popular during the evening and on weekends, most pit bosses work these shifts more often than others.
Career Progression
- Early Career: Casino Employee
- Mid-Career: Casino Dealer
- Late Career: Casino Pit Boss, Casino Manager, Gaming Manager
Typical Employers
Pit bosses are employed by casinos—both large and small—throughout the U.S. The largest employers of casino pit bosses include some of the biggest casino chains in the country, including Hard Rock, Caesars, MGM, Wynn, and Horseshoe, among others.
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How To Become a Casino Pit Boss
Before being promoted into pit boss roles, aspiring pit bosses must first work as table games dealers. There are a couple of paths you can take to become a casino dealer. All dealers must go through dealer training for each table game they deal. For individuals who know they want to work as a casino dealer or pit boss, one option is to enroll in a dealer training program that’s unaffiliated with any one casino. These programs can help aspiring pit bosses get their foot in the door at casinos as dealers.
Another option is to be trained as a dealer by the casino you work at. While casinos may be willing to train new hires, more often they train existing employees from other departments. Taking a job working in another role in a casino and proving that you’re a reliable and trustworthy employee can help you successfully apply for dealer training when courses are being offered. The benefit of this route is that it costs nothing out of pocket; the disadvantage is that you have to work in another role before training.
Casino pit bosses usually need to go through dealer training for all table games and work as dealers for many years before being promoted into pit boss positions. Because they must watch games to make sure they’re running properly and weigh in on disputes, they must have a detailed understanding of the games they oversee. Additionally, while many pit bosses move into the role with only a high school diploma, some casinos may prefer to promote candidates who hold associate’s or bachelor’s degrees.
Casino Pit Boss Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$38,520Average
$50,130High Range
$73,120National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$19/hrAverage
$24/hrHigh Range
$35/hrHow do Casino Pit Boss salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Casino Pit Boss's can make an average annual salary of $50,130, or $24 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $38,520 or $19 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#386 Nationally for All Careers
Programs and Degrees
Here are the most common degrees for becoming a Casino Pit Boss. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.
Highest Education Among Casino Pit Bosss
- 0.3% Doctorate
- 5.5% Masters
- 27.6% Bachelors
- 9.6% Associates
- 28.7% College
- 23.9% High School
- 4.4% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
27,8002024 Est. Jobs
28,000Job Growth Rate
0.7%Est. New Jobs
200How does Casino Pit Boss job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 200 jobs for a total of 28,000 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 0.7% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#584 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Casino Pit Bosss
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 11,000 | 700 | 1% |
| Casino hotels | 10,000 | -900 | -1% |
| Gambling industries (except casino hotels) | 5,000 | 300 | 0% |
