Bartenders pay in Knoxville
In Knoxville (TN), the median pay for bartenders is $13.87 an hour ($28,860 a year). About 1,400 people work in this job there.
That is 16% lower than the U.S. median ($34,340). It is 5% higher than the Tennessee median ($27,480).
Pay range for bartenders in Knoxville (TN)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $7.38 | $15,350 |
| 25% of workers | $9.02 | $18,770 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.87 | $28,860 |
| 75% of workers | $21.46 | $44,640 |
| 90% of workers | $26.14 | $54,360 |
Bartenders pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsport-Bristol | $31,240 | 280 |
| Knoxville (this page) | $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 Knoxville (TN)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,720 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $41,380 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,520 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,960 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,080 |
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.