Bartenders pay in Madison
In Madison (WI), the median pay for bartenders is $11.16 an hour ($23,210 a year). About 3,810 people work in this job there.
That is 32% lower than the U.S. median ($34,340). It is about the same as the Wisconsin median ($23,460).
Pay range for bartenders in Madison (WI)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $8.75 | $18,200 |
| 25% of workers | $9.96 | $20,720 |
| Half of workers (median) | $11.16 | $23,210 |
| 75% of workers | $14.36 | $29,870 |
| 90% of workers | $18.83 | $39,170 |
Bartenders pay in Wisconsin metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $25,970 | 7,330 |
| Sheboygan | $25,720 | 500 |
| Green Bay | $23,380 | 1,620 |
| Appleton | $23,330 | 1,230 |
| Fond du Lac | $23,330 | 380 |
| Madison (this page) | $23,210 | 3,810 |
| Kenosha | $23,140 | 650 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $23,130 | 1,200 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $23,120 | 960 |
| Eau Claire | $22,990 | 920 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | $22,960 | 700 |
| Wausau | $22,640 | 610 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $22,090 | 800 |
Wisconsin unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Madison (WI)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,820 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,910 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,440 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,060 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $36,940 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,710 |
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.