How much does a bartender make?
The median bartender in the United States earns $34,340 per year, about $16.51 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all bartenders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 35-3011.
Bartender salary range
Pay for bartenders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $20,110 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $73,770. The average (mean) wage of $40,790 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $20,110 | $9.67 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $27,400 | $13.17 | |
| Median (50th) | $34,340 | $16.51 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $47,570 | $22.87 | |
| 90th percentile | $73,770 | $35.47 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for bartenders (SOC 35-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Bartender salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Bartenders earn the most in Hawaii at $76,490 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $19,370. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 | 3,540 |
| New York | $61,210 | 43,130 |
| Washington | $55,830 | 16,800 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | 5,760 |
| Maine | $48,920 | 3,230 |
| Virginia | $47,070 | 13,370 |
| Vermont | $45,450 | 2,080 |
| Arizona | $45,070 | 14,840 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 | 16,260 |
| Oregon | $38,900 | 11,950 |
| Connecticut | $38,780 | 7,680 |
| Colorado | $38,170 | 17,000 |
| Maryland | $37,580 | 13,020 |
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | 19,850 |
| New Mexico | $36,980 | 3,790 |
| Delaware | $36,840 | 2,820 |
| Michigan | $36,780 | 21,100 |
| North Carolina | $36,470 | 20,070 |
| Rhode Island | $36,410 | 3,170 |
| California | $36,220 | 71,470 |
| Florida | $35,150 | 55,170 |
| Utah | $32,150 | 3,350 |
| Illinois | $31,200 | 43,010 |
| Ohio | $30,880 | 27,420 |
| Alaska | $30,460 | 2,280 |
| Nebraska | $30,180 | 7,320 |
| Missouri | $30,090 | 14,410 |
| West Virginia | $29,630 | 3,340 |
| South Dakota | $29,400 | 3,930 |
| North Dakota | $29,040 | 3,960 |
| New Hampshire | $28,800 | 3,840 |
| Kentucky | $28,780 | 6,870 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,420 | 37,490 |
| Mississippi | $28,320 | 2,770 |
| Alabama | $27,980 | 6,560 |
| Kansas | $27,940 | 5,430 |
| Tennessee | $27,480 | 10,330 |
| Nevada | $27,460 | 16,830 |
| Idaho | $27,240 | 3,430 |
| Minnesota | $26,900 | 24,420 |
| Montana | $26,010 | 5,370 |
| Arkansas | $25,090 | 3,020 |
| Oklahoma | $24,790 | 5,860 |
| Wisconsin | $23,460 | 29,520 |
| Georgia | $22,830 | 14,600 |
| Indiana | $22,770 | 12,880 |
| Texas | $22,690 | 59,000 |
| Wyoming | $22,030 | 2,660 |
| Iowa | $21,720 | 9,560 |
| Louisiana | $20,850 | 10,140 |
| South Carolina | $19,370 | 10,680 |
State median wages for bartenders (SOC 35-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for bartenders
The BLS projects employment of bartenders to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 762,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 800,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 121,200 openings a year for bartenders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a bartender
The typical entry-level education for bartenders is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a bartender earns
Employer, region, seniority, and in many cases tips shape take-home pay. Fine dining, large venues, and high cost cities lift the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $76,490) and the lowest (South Carolina, $19,370) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 756,390 people work as bartenders in the United States. At $34,340 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Bartender salary FAQ
How much does a bartender make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a bartender is $16.51. The middle half of bartenders earn between $13.17 and $22.87 per hour.
What is the highest bartender salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of bartenders earn more than $73,770 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a bartender make a year?
The median annual salary for a bartender is $34,340. The average (mean) wage of $40,790 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a bartender a well paid job?
At $34,340 a year, a bartender earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 756,390 people work as bartenders in the United States.
Which state pays bartenders the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for bartenders at $76,490 a year. New York ($61,210) and Washington ($55,830) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a bartender a good career?
Employment of bartenders is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 121,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a bartender?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for bartenders as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Food & Hospitality salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.