Gambling and sports book writers and runners salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,090 | $10.62 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Mean (average) | $36,450 | $17.53 |
| 90th percentile | $48,270 | $23.21 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Gambling and sports book writers and runners pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 30 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $35,640 | $31,280 | $37,000 | 260 | 1.41 |
| California | $44,860 | $36,110 | $50,970 | 1,480 | 1.41 |
| Colorado | $34,450 | $31,010 | $38,110 | ||
| Connecticut | $34,420 | $34,010 | $40,210 | 70 | 0.7 |
| Florida | $34,160 | $27,040 | $58,520 | ||
| Illinois | $34,610 | $31,460 | $51,080 | 130 | 0.37 |
| Indiana | $32,730 | $26,740 | $43,540 | 90 | 0.47 |
| Iowa | $37,440 | $24,090 | $46,820 | 100 | 1.16 |
| Kansas | $31,550 | $22,840 | $48,820 | 40 | 0.43 |
| Kentucky | $37,910 | $24,370 | $52,240 | 60 | 0.5 |
| Louisiana | $26,620 | $15,380 | $30,950 | 180 | 1.59 |
| Maryland | $35,230 | $31,200 | $36,720 | ||
| Massachusetts | $47,720 | $38,860 | $49,340 | ||
| Michigan | $37,720 | $30,800 | $41,240 | ||
| Minnesota | $35,370 | $28,920 | $51,410 | 350 | 2.09 |
| Mississippi | $28,340 | $18,050 | $36,300 | 110 | 1.68 |
| Montana | $22,030 | $21,940 | $23,620 | 1,050 | 35.57 |
| Nebraska | $29,670 | $28,080 | $36,300 | 360 | 6.14 |
| Nevada | $37,500 | $27,100 | $46,090 | 1,440 | 16.09 |
| New Jersey | $48,260 | $35,090 | $57,880 | 90 | 0.36 |
| New York | $54,740 | $37,350 | $97,670 | 100 | 0.19 |
| North Dakota | $30,640 | $23,280 | $41,590 | 110 | 4.36 |
| Ohio | $38,460 | $29,750 | $73,180 | 360 | 1.13 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,690 | $25,630 | $43,830 | 90 | 0.27 |
| South Carolina | $33,650 | $28,890 | $39,100 | 130 | 1.01 |
| South Dakota | $30,620 | $29,010 | $36,710 | 80 | 3.14 |
| Texas | $30,660 | $22,340 | $57,720 | 440 | 0.54 |
| Washington | $42,180 | $37,210 | $56,760 | 220 | 1.06 |
| West Virginia | $19,740 | $19,290 | $31,690 | 180 | 4.5 |
| Wisconsin | $47,250 | $33,340 | $51,140 | 80 | 0.46 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for gambling and sports book writers and runners
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 4.7%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for gambling and sports book writers and runners
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- NO MATCH CIP 99.9999
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Answer questions about game rules or casino policies.
- Collect cards or tickets from players.
- Compute and verify amounts won or lost, paying out winnings or referring patrons to workers, such as gaming cashiers, so that winnings can be collected.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Credit card processing software
- Web browser software
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Persuasion, Complex Problem Solving.
Common job titles: Bingo Caller, Casino Attendant, Casino Floor Runner, Casino Runner, Floor Runner, Gaming Floor Attendant, Keno Attendant, Keno Runner, Racebook Writer, Sportsbook Writer.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do gambling and sports book writers and runners make?
The national median annual wage for gambling and sports book writers and runners was $34,980 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $22,090 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $48,270. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do gambling and sports book writers and runners need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is gambling and sports book writers and runners a growing career?
BLS projects employment of gambling and sports book writers and runners to change +1.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay gambling and sports book writers and runners the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were New York ($54,740), New Jersey ($48,260), Massachusetts ($47,720). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.