Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$34,610
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.64
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#15 of 30
130 employed here

How much do Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners make in Illinois?

Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners working in Illinois earn a median salary of $34,610 per year, or about $16.64 per hour. That is 1% below the national median of $34,980 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,460 while the top 10% make $51,080 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,870 and $37,980 a year.

Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,460$15.13
25th percentile (early career)$31,870$15.32
50th percentile (median)$34,610$16.64
75th percentile (experienced)$37,980$18.26
90th percentile (top earners)$51,080$24.56

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 15th out of 30 states and territories for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$54,740
2New Jersey$48,260
3Massachusetts$47,720
4Wisconsin$47,250
5California$44,860

Working as Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners in Illinois

Nationally, about 9,000 people work as Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($34,610) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners make in Illinois?
The median Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners salary in Illinois is $34,610 per year, or about $16.64 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,460 at the entry level to $51,080 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners about 1% less than the national median of $34,980. Illinois ranks 15th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,610 a year. About 130 Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.