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and Strip casinos usually have quite a few more bellhops, meaning
the money is split up more times.
Valet
Good driving record and some kind of “in” to the casino industry
is almost essential. This is a highly sought after position. If you
work on the Strip you will drive everything from Ferraris to
Kit-Cars to 20 year old Honda Civics with a dead rat in the back
seat. Money varies because of the way tips are split, the number of
valet attendants splitting tips, and which casino you work at. You
will hear about the Palms valet attendees making over $300/ hour on
New Years Eve, then $10/ hour January 1. Most of the Casinos overall
will range from the 50 – 70k per year after tips. This is a position
that is taxed over the hourly rate, which means you will have days
where, after taxes you make less than the minimum wage per hour,
another day you will make more than a doctor.
Dealer
Not drugs, cards and dice. These guys spend 40 hours a week
sitting or standing in one position; smoke blown in their faces, and
an array of upset and ecstatic gamblers, drunks, psychos, and
crazies. Did you know that it is not unusual for hardcore poker
players to literally piss themselves because they don’t want to
leave the table? Yeah, disgusting and not as unusual as you may
think, and dealers have to put up with it all with a cheery smile
and sparkle in the eye. It’s not an easy job, throw in that you’re
expected to know more about the game you’re dealing than anyone at
the table - and they really earn their keep. They can make anywhere
from 50k – 80k and up, almost all tips. To get a job as a dealer you
usually need some kind of “in” like valet, you need to attend a
dealer school (usually 3-6 months), and you have to audition.
Front Desk
No big deal, but included for the massive numbers. There are a
lot of front desk workers in Las Vegas. They do earn tips
occasionally, but it is not a significant part of their income. This
is a great job for someone who is looking for another position in a
casino and wants to make some friends in the industry so
transferring is easier, and for those going to school at the same
time. Pay ranges from around $10/ hour to $15 and more for managers,
not a career, but an easy job to do and get – easy as long as you
are good at customer service that is.
Security
Again, not a huge deal, but there are many more in Vegas than
other cities. Every casino has a horde of them, and it is a great
way to get your foot in the door then transfer to a more lucrative
position later. There was a time when security was also full of
excitement, tackling thieves, interrogations, the whole nine yards,
now security is kinder and gentler in most instances and it’s more
like the movie “Observe and Report” and you are going to spend the
majority of your time pretty bored. Casinos also have undercover
security, finding and ejecting hookers, and working in concert with
law enforcement to catch cheaters and prostitutes. Kind of fun, but
this isn’t the Vegas of the mob era so you will still spend most of
your time bored. Pay is mostly per hour, with the occasional tip
from high-rollers and for wheelchair escorts – income ranges from
$10 - $18 per hour. |
