Bartenders pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for bartenders is $16.51 an hour ($34,340 a year). About 756,390 people work in this job there.
Pay range for bartenders in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $9.67 | $20,110 |
| 25% of workers | $13.17 | $27,400 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.51 | $34,340 |
| 75% of workers | $22.87 | $47,570 |
| 90% of workers | $35.47 | $73,770 |
Best-paying states for bartenders
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 | 3,540 |
| New York | $61,210 | 43,130 |
| Washington | $55,830 | 16,800 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | 5,760 |
| Maine | $48,920 | 3,230 |
| Virginia | $47,070 | 13,370 |
| Vermont | $45,450 | 2,080 |
| Arizona | $45,070 | 14,840 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 | 16,260 |
| Oregon | $38,900 | 11,950 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $27,980
- Alaska · $30,460
- Arizona · $45,070
- Arkansas · $25,090
- California · $36,220
- Colorado · $38,170
- Connecticut · $38,780
- Delaware · $36,840
- District of Columbia · $53,920
- Florida · $35,150
- Georgia · $22,830
- Hawaii · $76,490
- Idaho · $27,240
- Illinois · $31,200
- Indiana · $22,770
- Iowa · $21,720
- Kansas · $27,940
- Kentucky · $28,780
- Louisiana · $20,850
- Maine · $48,920
- Maryland · $37,580
- Massachusetts · $37,440
- Michigan · $36,780
- Minnesota · $26,900
- Mississippi · $28,320
- Missouri · $30,090
- Montana · $26,010
- Nebraska · $30,180
- Nevada · $27,460
- New Hampshire · $28,800
- New Jersey · $44,020
- New Mexico · $36,980
- New York · $61,210
- North Carolina · $36,470
- North Dakota · $29,040
- Ohio · $30,880
- Oklahoma · $24,790
- Oregon · $38,900
- Pennsylvania · $28,420
- Rhode Island · $36,410
- South Carolina · $19,370
- South Dakota · $29,400
- Tennessee · $27,480
- Texas · $22,690
- Utah · $32,150
- Vermont · $45,450
- Virginia · $47,070
- Washington · $55,830
- West Virginia · $29,630
- Wisconsin · $23,460
- Wyoming · $22,030
Education, experience and outlook for bartenders
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +5% over ten years, faster than average · about 121,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,320 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $33,980 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,360 |
| Food Service Managers | $69,390 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.