Bartender Salary in the United States

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How Can I Earn More Money as a in ?

The easiest way to earn more money as a is to ask for a raise or a promotion. To do that, you’ll need to be prepared to discuss with your employer about why you deserve a raise.

To help you out, we've got a list of interview questions and answers that you can use to come up with your own answers when you’re asking for a raise.

What Skills Are Employers Looking for in a in ?

You can see what employers want in a Pastry Chef in Chicago if you take a look at a sample job description. In it, you’ll find the most common skills, abilities and experience requirements for this role.

Average Bartender Salary by Year in the US

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average Bartender salary can range from $19,870 to $61,210 per year — averaging $37,090 plus tips per year. This makes a substantial 32% Bartender salary increase compared to $28,000 per year in 2019.

[Source: BLS]

The graph below shows the different Bartender salary levels based on the most recent BLS data, breaking down how much you can earn from the lowest to the highest average annual pay.

[Source: BLS]

If you’re in the 90th percentile, you earn more than 90% of all the Bartenders in the U.S. Earning $ 61,210 then puts you in the top 10% of earners among Bartenders.

Meanwhile, if you’re in the 10th percentile, you earn less than 90% of the group. Earning $19,870 then places you in the bottom 10% of earners among Bartenders.

How Much Do Bartenders Make per Month?

Bartenders can earn an average of $3,091 per month. You can boost your earnings with more tips, which greatly depends on your relationship with customers and how busy your shifts.

How Much Do Bartenders Make an Hour?

The average Bartender hourly wage is $17.83, which is a high increase from the 2019 average of $13.46. This ranges from $9.55 per hour on average for the lowest-paid Bartenders to $29.43 per hour for the highest-paid ones.

[Source: BLS]

Minimum wage for Bartenders

The federal minimum wage for tipped employees, including Bartenders, is $7.25 per hour combined with tips. This can differ depending on your state or city, where local laws might set higher minimum wages or tipping standards.

However, keep in mind that Bartenders often earn higher wages than minimum wage. To know the minimum wage in your location, check out our labor laws for all U.S. states.

Bartender Salary by State or District

Bartender salaries can vary depending on the state or district you reside in. The District of Columbia, Washington and New York offer the highest average salary for Bartenders, with $59,850, $57,710 and $56,140 per year, respectively.

Check out the video below for the 10 highest-paying states with their respective employment statistics.

States with high demand for Bartenders, such as tourist destinations, tend to offer higher salaries and more tips. Those with a high cost of living also tend to offer higher wages to compensate for the higher cost of living.

Check the average Bartender salaries for each state below. Feel free to rearrange the table alphabetically or from highest salary to lowest.

[Source: BLS]

High-Paying Cities for Bartenders

New York City offers one of the highest Bartender salaries at $58,050 per year or $27.91 per hour. Los Angeles also offers a high salary of $40,080 per year or $19.21 per hour.

Other top-paying cities for Bartenders include Miami and Chicago. Keep in mind that cities with high demand for bartenders, such as tourist destinations, tend to offer higher salaries and more tips.

Factors That Influence Bartender Salaries

Aside from geographic location, as seen above, the following factors also influence the average salary of Bartenders.

Bartender tips

Tips form a significant part of a Bartender’s overall earnings. Bartenders working in establishments with a high volume of customers or those with a generous tipping culture may earn more in tips than those in quieter venues.

Typically, customers tip between 15% and 20% of the total bill. An alternative approach is tipping per drink, with a standard of $1 for simple drinks like beer and $2–$4 for mixed drinks or cocktails.

Graphic showing two different types of tipping etiquettes for Bartenders

For example, if the bill is $50, a 20% tip would be $10 (simply multiply $50 by 0.20). Bartender salary with tips can add up quickly, especially on busy nights and peak hours.

Type of establishment

The type of establishment where a Bartender works can also impact their salary. Bartenders in upscale restaurants, high-end hotels or exclusive clubs may earn higher wages than those in neighborhood bars or casual dining establishments.

Experience

Bartenders with more experience and a proven track record of excellent customer service and mixology skills may command higher salaries than entry-level Bartenders.

Check out our article on how to be a good Bartender for tips on how to build your experience and skills fast. You can also review our Bartender job description to know what to expect in this line of work.

Whether you’re an entry-level Bartender, an Experienced Bartender or a Hotel Bartender, you can use our Bartender resume templates. Feel free to copy and customize them for your job search.

Demand for Bartenders

The demand for Bartenders in a particular industry can also influence their salaries. For example, performing arts companies often host events, shows and performances where Bartenders are needed to provide beverage services to patrons.

These venues may include theaters, concert halls and entertainment venues where Bartenders play a crucial role in enhancing the overall guest experience.

Due to the specialized nature of their service, performing arts companies may offer higher wages to attract and retain talented individuals. Below is a complete list of top-paying industries for Bartenders, according to BLS.

[Source: BLS]

How To Get More Tips, According to Successful Bartenders

As mentioned, tips often help Bartenders maximize their earnings. That's why we've gathered some of the best advice from hospitality professionals who have worked or are working as Bartenders.

"The most important thing in increasing your tips is having an open mind to learning constantly. Start asking questions, get more knowledgeable and the opportunities will present themselves.
Another great way to get more tips is upselling. This one might be challenging when you are starting out, but there is a simple way to deal with the lack of knowledge. Be transparent with the customer, tell them — 'I am not sure but let me check that for you.'
The happier your customers are the more often they will return, and this will lead to a higher amount of money in your pocket. The guests want to know that they are being cared for."
Emily LaRuffa, Restaurant Consultant and former Bartender

"Here are effective tactics I use to maximize tips and enhance earning potential:
Personalized Service: Remembering regular customers' names and drink preferences creates a personalized experience that can lead to higher tips.
Engagement: Being friendly, approachable and engaging with customers helps build rapport and makes the bar experience enjoyable.
Presentation: Presenting drinks attractively, with attention to garnishing and glassware adds value to the service.
Upselling: Suggesting premium spirits, specialty cocktails or add-ons can increase the total bill, often resulting in a higher tip percentage.
Speed and Efficiency: Serving drinks quickly and efficiently ensures customer satisfaction and keeps the flow of orders smooth, encouraging more frequent tipping."
Vish Y, Bartender and Mixologist

Editor’s note: The interview excerpts above have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Bartender Compensation Package

In addition to base salary and tips, you may receive other job benefits and perks in your compensation package as a Bartender.

These can include benefits such as health insurance, 401(k)/retirement plans, paid time off and employee discounts. Some employers may also offer you bonuses or incentives based on performance, like meeting sales targets or receiving positive customer feedback.

Additionally, Bartenders may have access to career growth opportunities, such as training programs or certifications, to enhance their skills and advance their careers within the industry.

How Much Do Similar Careers to Bartenders Get Paid?

01. How much do Bartenders make a year in the US?

According to BLS, the average salary for Bartenders in the U.S. is $37,090 per year. As a Bartender, you can also receive a higher amount of tips that can significantly increase your earnings by the end of the day.

Depending on the establishment and the bartender’s skill level, tips can amount to an additional $50 to $200 or more per day. Check out our article on Bartender demographics and statistics for more info.

02. How do tips impact a Bartender’s overall earnings?

Bartenders who excel at customer service, engage with patrons and demonstrate expertise in mixology techniques are more likely to receive higher tips. However, tip earnings can fluctuate from shift to shift and are not guaranteed.

03. What are some common misconceptions about Bartender salaries and earnings?

People tend to think that all Bartenders earn substantial tips, but this isn’t the case at all times. While tips can indeed constitute a significant portion of a Bartender’s income, the actual amount can vary widely based on factors like location, type of establishment and individual skill level.

Another common misconception is that Bartenders earn minimum wage. While this may be true for some, many establishments pay Bartenders above the minimum wage rate, especially in areas with higher living costs or robust tipping cultures.

04. How much can an experienced or high-end Bartender make?

Experienced or high-end Bartenders often make higher salary averages than those just starting or with little experience. Instead of the usual salary average for Bartenders at $37,090 per year, experienced or high-end Bartenders can earn as much as $42,800 to $61,210 per year.