What‘s the Average Casino Cage Cashier Salary in Las Vegas?
As an avid Las Vegas visitor and gambling enthusiast, one role that has always fascinated me is the casino cage cashier. These are the warriors handling massive amounts of money behind the scenes to fuel those big casino floors we love.
But what actually is the salary range for such a demanding job? Based on 2023 data for Las Vegas casinos, the average annual salary for a cage cashier is approximately $35,000. However, just looking at an average doesn‘t tell the full story here. Let‘s dive deeper…
Salary Ranges at Top Las Vegas Casinos
While the overall average rests around $35k, you can earn significantly more working as a cage cashier at one of the elite Vegas casinos on the strip.
For insight, here‘s what cashiers make per hour based on self-reported wages at some of the most prestigious establishments:
| Casino | Avg Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Bellagio | $18.71 |
| Wynn | $22.82 |
| Caesars Palace | $14.55 |
As you can see, Wynn Resorts pays their cashiers particularly well for the role – averaging almost $23 per hour. Of course wages offered will also depend on your exact experience level and position within the cage too.
Diving Into the Day-to-Day Duties
Now given those potential wages on offer, what exactly does working in a casino cage involve on the daily?
Well having played my fair share of slots and tables around Vegas, I can definitely confirm it is not an easy job! The cage team truly run the operational backbone that keeps those casino floors humming.
Managing Massive Money Flow
The core duty of any cage cashier is handling all cash transactions that happen across the gaming floor area. This includes:
- Cashing in chips/vouchers after player wins
- Providing stacks of bills for gamblers buying in
- Issuing slot ticket payouts and jackpot wins
- Processing markers, credit apps, and front money
We‘re talking managing the flow of huge amounts of money each hour both in and out of the casino vaults. It‘s an environment of high stakes, so precision and efficiency is mandatory.
Pressure Cooker Conditions
The cage cashier area itself is normally directly behind the main casino floor – an intentionally open space under 24/7 surveillance. There are cameras everywhere and managers watching vigilantly.
Each cashier window will have long queues during peak hours as gamblers clamor for payouts or last minute funds to chase their losses. The noise of the casino floor permeates the cage space too.
For cashiers, that translates to unrelenting pressure dealing with streams of impatient customers, all while accurately tracking transactions worth hundreds of thousands per shift. Stressful doesn‘t even begin to describe it!
Additional Compensation Considerations
Beyond the base hourly rates outlined earlier, there are other pivotal factors that can influence total earnings as a Las Vegas casino cashier:
Experience Level
- Entry-level cashiers start from $15 per hour
- 3+ years experience can boost pay closer to $25 per hour
Tips
- Cash tips from gamblers can add ~10-30% to take-home pay
- Big fish tip very generously on high value payouts
Promotions
- Advancing to lead/supervisor roles increases pay by $5k+ yearly
So a tenured cashier at an upscale casino could reasonably expect to earn $45,000+ per year with their base wage, tips and performance bonuses accounted for.
Is It Worth The Stress and Pressure?
Given the high stakes ENVIRONMENT and mental rigor required, would I personally work as a casino cashier? As much as I love the energy and buzz of a Vegas casino…probably not!
The pressure would likely get to me dealing with annoyed gamblers and chasing perfect accuracy across millions in transactions. I truly have respect for anyone thriving in that role.
But for those with the right disposition who enjoy the fast pace and high risk, it can definitely be an exciting career. Top performers get rewarded very well for their efforts. Just be aware of the intense working conditions involved – this is not your typical retail cashier job…
Anyway, I hope this inside look helps set expectations for anyone interested in pursuing casino cage cashier roles in Las Vegas! Feel free to drop any other Las Vegas gaming questions you have below!
