Bartenders pay in District of Columbia
In District of Columbia, the median pay for bartenders is $25.92 an hour ($53,920 a year). About 5,760 people work in this job there.
That is 57% higher than the U.S. median ($34,340). District of Columbia ranks 4th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for bartenders in District of Columbia
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.50 | $36,400 |
| 25% of workers | $18.64 | $38,780 |
| Half of workers (median) | $25.92 | $53,920 |
| 75% of workers | $36.12 | $75,140 |
| 90% of workers | $45.94 | $95,560 |
Bartenders pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $48,030 | 14,560 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,850 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,130 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,430 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $39,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $39,600 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $57,170 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $76,420 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 |
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.