Finding the perfect salaried job is hard enough, let alone knowing what you’re worth as a bartender. In this fun and informative article, we share some of our favorite resources and tips to help you obtain the salary you deserve as a bartender.
Bartenders are often paid a salary, but the amount can vary depending on the company and position. A bartender’s salary is typically based on his or her experience, skillset, and location.
While bartending is an entry-level position in most bars, bartenders who have been working for years tend to earn more than those who have just started their careers.
The average annual salary of a bartender varies by state and city. In California, for example, the average annual salary for a bartender is $27,000; in New York City it’s $36,000; and in Detroit it’s $28,000.
Salary for bartenders
A person working as a Bartender in United States typically earns around 35,800 USD per year. Salaries range from 19,000 USD (lowest) to 54,500 USD (highest).
This is the average yearly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Bartender salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Bartender Salary Distribution in United States
The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range
- Salary RangeBartender salaries in United States range from 19,000 USD per year (minimum salary) to 54,500 USD per year (maximum salary).
- Median SalaryThe median salary is 33,700 USD per year, which means that half (50%) of people working as Bartender(s) are earning less than 33,700 USD while the other half are earning more than 33,700 USD. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
- PercentilesClosely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Bartender(s) are earning less than 23,700 USD while 75% of them are earning more than 23,700 USD. Also from the diagram, 75% of Bartender(s) are earning less than 41,400 USD while 25% are earning more than 41,400 USD.
Bartender Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Bartender salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
A Bartender with less than two years of experience makes approximately 21,800 USD per year.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 26,800 USD per year, 23% more than someone with less than two year’s experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 38,000 USD per year, 42% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, Bartender(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 44,400 USD per year, 17% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 48,800 USD per year, 10% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 51,600 USD per year, 6% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Bartender average salary change by experience in United States
| 0 – 2 Years | 21,800 USD | |
| 2 – 5 Years | +23% | 26,800 USD |
| 5 – 10 Years | +42% | 38,000 USD |
| 10 – 15 Years | +17% | 44,400 USD |
| 15 – 20 Years | +10% | 48,800 USD |
| 20+ Years | +6% | 51,600 USD |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Bartender Salary Comparison By Education
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Bartender salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is High School, the average salary of a Bartender is 28,900 USD per year.
While someone with a Certificate or Diploma gets a salary of 46,700 USD per year, 61% more than someone having a High School degree.
Bartender average salary difference by education level in United States
| High School | 28,900 USD | |
| Certificate or Diploma | +61% | 46,700 USD |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
