How much does a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator make?
The median gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator in the United States earns $43,370 per year, about $20.85 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-9031.
Gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator salary range
Pay for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $32,730 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $61,970. The average (mean) wage of $45,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,730 | $15.74 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,270 | $17.44 | |
| Median (50th) | $43,370 | $20.85 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,210 | $23.66 | |
| 90th percentile | $61,970 | $29.79 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators (SOC 33-9031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators earn the most in Massachusetts at $61,770 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $33,820. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $61,770 | 80 |
| Connecticut | $56,300 | 180 |
| Oregon | $50,120 | 70 |
| Arizona | $50,010 | 380 |
| New York | $49,110 | 170 |
| New Jersey | $48,620 | 270 |
| Maryland | $47,950 | 120 |
| Indiana | $46,910 | 380 |
| North Dakota | $46,740 | 120 |
| Michigan | $46,620 | 330 |
| Nevada | $46,570 | 820 |
| Ohio | $45,880 | 190 |
| Washington | $45,740 | 470 |
| California | $44,740 | 990 |
| Colorado | $44,340 | 100 |
| Minnesota | $44,080 | 210 |
| Illinois | $42,760 | 330 |
| Wisconsin | $42,150 | 260 |
| Virginia | $41,980 | N/A |
| Florida | $39,060 | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,930 | 570 |
| Delaware | $38,910 | 50 |
| Missouri | $38,860 | 230 |
| Idaho | $38,850 | 50 |
| Alabama | $36,970 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $36,930 | 110 |
| Kansas | $36,830 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $36,330 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $36,000 | 1,310 |
| Iowa | $35,750 | 230 |
| Mississippi | $35,360 | 240 |
| West Virginia | $35,150 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $33,910 | 240 |
| South Dakota | $33,820 | 80 |
State median wages for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators (SOC 33-9031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators
The BLS projects employment of gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 1.8%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 9,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 9,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,100 openings a year for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator
The typical entry-level education for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $61,770) and the lowest (South Dakota, $33,820) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 9,520 people work as gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators in the United States. At $43,370 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator salary FAQ
How much does a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator is $20.85. The middle half of gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators earn between $17.44 and $23.66 per hour.
What is the highest gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators earn more than $61,970 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator make a year?
The median annual salary for a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator is $43,370. The average (mean) wage of $45,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator a well paid job?
At $43,370 a year, a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 9,520 people work as gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators in the United States.
Which state pays gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators at $61,770 a year. Connecticut ($56,300) and Oregon ($50,120) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator a good career?
Employment of gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators is projected to shrink 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a gambling surveillance officer and gambling investigator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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