Bartenders pay in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the median pay for bartenders is $13.21 an hour ($27,480 a year). About 10,330 people work in this job there.
That is 20% lower than the U.S. median ($34,340). Tennessee ranks 37th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for bartenders in Tennessee
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $7.68 | $15,970 |
| 25% of workers | $8.73 | $18,160 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.21 | $27,480 |
| 75% of workers | $18.72 | $38,930 |
| 90% of workers | $25.36 | $52,740 |
Bartenders pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsport-Bristol | $31,240 | 280 |
| Knoxville | $28,860 | 1,400 |
| Memphis | $28,710 | 1,380 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $28,190 | 4,540 |
| Cleveland | $25,710 | 110 |
| Chattanooga | $25,650 | 890 |
| Clarksville | $24,230 | 290 |
| Morristown | $23,730 | 70 |
| Jackson | $22,030 | 180 |
| Johnson City | $21,700 | 270 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Tennessee
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $28,700 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,670 |
| Food Service Managers | $64,410 |
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.