Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners earn a median of $34,980 per year ($16.82/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 1.8% through 2035, with about 1,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 39-3012
- Personal Care and Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner in four numbers
- Median pay
- $34,980a year, or $16.82/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $22KTop 10% $48K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +1.8%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+1.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +1.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,4009,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20259.6K
- Projected 20359.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 9.6K Projected 2035 9.8K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school1.6%
- High school87.1%
- Certificate2%
- Some college6.6%
- Associate's2.8%
Highest education held by gambling and sports book writers and runners Segment Value Less than high school 1.6% High school 87.1% Certificate 2% Some college 6.6% Associate's 2.8%
Also advertised as: Bingo Caller, Casino Attendant, Casino Floor Runner, Casino Runner, Floor Runner, Gaming Floor Attendant.
Pay
How much do Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners make?
Every gambling and sports book writer and runner in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$34,980
Middle half earn $28,150 to $44,840
- 10th
- $22,090
- 25th
- $28,150
- 75th
- $44,840
- 90th
- $48,270
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $22,090 |
| 25th | $28,150 |
| Median | $34,980 |
| 75th | $44,840 |
| 90th | $48,270 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $34,980
- Median hourly wage
- $16.82/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $36,450
- People employed
- 8,950
Versus all US occupations
At $34,980, Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners earn 31% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $16,000 a year.
Versus personal care and service occupations
Inside the Personal Care and Service group, where the middle occupation pays $38,120, this is 8% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $48,270 or more while the bottom 10% earn $22,090, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 1% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New York pays the most at $54,740, and still leads at $50,722 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $54,740 | $50,722 | 100 |
| 2New Jersey | $48,260 | $44,355 | 90 |
| 3Massachusetts | $47,720 | $45,122 | N/A |
| 4Wisconsin | $47,250 | $50,215 | 80 |
| 5California | $44,860 | $40,517 | 1,480 |
| 6Washington | $42,180 | $39,416 | 220 |
| 7Ohio | $38,460 | $41,456 | 360 |
| 8Kentucky | $37,910 | $42,048 | 60 |
| 9Michigan | $37,720 | $39,203 | N/A |
| 10Nevada | $37,500 | $37,508 | 1,440 |
Job outlook
Is Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +1.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners | +1.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners to change 1.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,400 openings are projected each year, 14.6% of the 9,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of gambling services workers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of gambling services workers varies by occupation (see table).
The growth of online gambling may limit employment for some of these workers, including gambling and sports book writers and runners. Although some online gambling is linked to physical locations, online-only gambling sites do not require the same mix of employees. In addition, online betting is a largely automated process, and therefore fewer workers are needed to facilitate online wagers than in-person betting.
Getting in
How to become a Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner
Gambling jobs typically require a high school diploma or equivalent to enter. Some employers require gambling managers to have a college degree.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as gambling and sports book writers and runners.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)87.1%
- Some College Courses6.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree2.8%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2%
- Less than a High School Diploma1.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 87.1% |
| Some College Courses | 6.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 2.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 2% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 1.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner do?
Post information enabling patrons to wager on various races and sporting events. Assist in the operation of games such as keno and bingo. May operate random number-generating equipment and announce the numbers for patrons. Receive, verify, and record patrons' wagers. Scan and process winning tickets presented by patrons and pay out winnings for those wagers.
Gambling services workers serve customers in gambling establishments, such as casinos or racetracks. Some workers tend slot machines or deal cards. Others take bets or pay out winnings. Still others supervise or manage gambling workers and operations.
Day-to-day tasks
- Answer questions about game rules or casino policies.
- 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.
- Collect cards or tickets from players.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most casinos are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Employees are often scheduled to work nights, weekends, and holidays, which are typically the busiest times for casinos. Most work full time, although part-time work is common.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.5
- Speaking3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Mathematics3.0
- Writing2.9
- Critical Thinking2.9
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Active Learning2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Service Orientation2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.6
- Persuasion2.5
- Complex Problem Solving2.5
- Time Management2.4
- Management of Personnel Resources2.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.6 |
| Persuasion | 2.5 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.5 |
| Time Management | 2.4 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 2.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Internet browser software
- Point of sale POS software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 5 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Conventional6.0
- Enterprising5.0
- Social2.9
- Realistic2.8
- Artistic1.0
- Investigative1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner
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More personal care and service careers
Median annual pay, with gambling and sports book writers and runners highlighted
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor$47,160
- Concierge$38,950
- Tour Guide and Escort$38,120
- Hairstylist$35,790
- Manicurist and Pedicurist$35,760
- Nanny$34,980
- Childcare Worker$34,980
- Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner$34,980
- Gambling Dealer$34,320
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $47,160 |
| Concierge | $38,950 |
| Tour Guide and Escort | $38,120 |
| Hairstylist | $35,790 |
| Manicurist and Pedicurist | $35,760 |
| Nanny | $34,980 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,980 |
| Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner | $34,980 |
| Gambling Dealer | $34,320 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner appears on
Questions
Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner: frequently asked questions
How much do Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners make?
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners earn a median of $34,980 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 31% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $16.82/hr. The middle half earn between $28,150 and $44,840. The top 10% earn $48,270 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 87.1% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 1.8% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner do?
Gambling services workers serve customers in gambling establishments, such as casinos or racetracks. A core O*NET task: answer questions about game rules or casino policies. Employers most often ask for Office suite software, Operating system software, Presentation software.
Which states pay Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners the most?
The highest state medians for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners are New York ($54,740), New Jersey ($48,260), Massachusetts ($47,720) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner?
O*NET scores Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners highest on the Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESTJ, ESFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.