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Sommelier Salary in the United States

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How Much Does a Sommelier Make?

The average base salary for Sommeliers in the United States (U.S.) is $65,581 per year. This usually is a high-paying position, earning more than Baristas and Bartenders (who earn $34,825 and $37,090 per year, respectively).

Read on for Sommelier salary trends, factors that can influence your pay and average salary per state.

What could I earn?
Find out how your salary compares to the average Sommelier salary.
Job Title
Location
Your Salary
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Average Sommelier Base Salary:
Your salary is the same as the US national salary average.
$31.53
Your Salary
$31.53
$0.00
$31.53
$63.06
Market Average
$31.53
Note: All figures in this guide have been calculated using our salary estimate methodology.

How much does a Sommelier earn on the U.S. national average per hour?

The hourly rate for a Sommelier on the U.S. national average is currently $31.53. This does not include tips, bonuses or other performance-based incentives offered by the establishment they're employed in.

How much does a Sommelier earn on the U.S. national average per month?

The average monthly salary for a Sommelier on the U.S. national average is $5,643.87.

How much does a Sommelier earn on the U.S. national average per week?

Based on the hourly and monthly salaries above, the average Sommelier salary per week on the U.S. national average is currently $1,261.20.

How Can I Earn More Money as a Sommelier on the U.S. national average?

The easiest way to earn more money as a Sommelier 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 Sommelier 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 Sommelier on the U.S. national average?

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

How Much Does a Sommelier Earn Hourly?

The average Sommelier salary in the U.S. is $31.53 per hour. Additionally, their salary is supplemented through tips and non-monetary benefits.

How Much Does a Sommelier Make Weekly?

The average weekly Sommelier salary comes to about $1,261.

How Much Does a Sommelier Make Monthly?

The average monthly Sommelier salary is $5,465.08.

Sommelier Salaries Across the US

The highest-paying areas for Sommeliers are Washington ($76,033), Missouri ($71,375) and the District of Columbia ($65,466). The lowest-paying states for Sommeliers are New Mexico ($47,005), Indiana ($49,432) and West Virginia ($49,932).

For more Sommelier salary trends, insights and other statistics, check out our Sommelier Demographics and Statistics in the US.

Sommelier Salary in Major US Cities

Out of the four major cities, Miami offers the highest average Sommelier salary at $71,153 per year.

This is due to the city’s booming tourism and hospitality industries, filled with fine-dining establishments, high-end restaurants and luxury hotels. Sommeliers have thus become a necessary addition to deliver exceptional wine knowledge and service to customers.

Explore the Sommelier salary across the cities below.

sommelier salary in major US cities

[Calculated using Glassdoor, Salary.com and Indeed data]

What Affects Your Sommelier Salary?

A Sommelier’s overall earnings do not just depend on where you live, as seen above. Here are some other factors that can impact your Sommelier salary.

Factors that affect Sommelier salary

Experience

Most Sommelier job postings require at least two years of previous experience as a Sommelier. That means that Sommeliers with little prior experience might find it challenging to find their dream job.

You can bypass this hurdle by becoming a Sommelier at smaller restaurants or offering Sommelier services at a lower rate.

While Master Sommeliers can earn as much as $160,000, Sommeliers who are just starting can earn about $30,000, while those with more experience (two years or more) can earn as much as $80,000.

Education

Sommeliers have to go through extensive training to become masters of their craft. As such, they can earn certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers, which consists of four different levels:

  • Introductory Sommelier Certificate
  • Certified Sommelier Examination
  • Advanced Sommelier Certificate
  • Master Sommelier Diploma

A Sommelier’s education level can drastically impact their salary. In fact, there are less than 300 holders of the Master Sommelier Diploma in the world. Sommeliers can sometimes even earn as much as $160,000 annually.

Establishment type

Sommeliers can work in wine bars, hotels, resorts, high-end restaurants and more. As such, their salaries can vary based on the establishment and Sommeliers working in luxury locations typically earn more than their counterparts employed at smaller establishments.

Tips

Sommeliers are rarely tipped separately from the tip customers leave after a meal. At the end of the shift, the Waiter/Waitress typically shares the tip with other members of the staff who worked the shift with them.

However, customers can tip a Sommelier directly through cash (around $10–$20) if they believe that the Sommelier provided exceptional service.

Alternatively, a customer can tip the Waiter/Waitress based on the percentage of the meal, and then leave the Sommelier a 15%–20% tip of the cost of the bottle of wine they recommended.

Non-monetary benefits

Sommeliers can also enjoy several non-monetary benefits that can supplement their pay. Some of them include:

  • Medical, vision and dental insurance
  • 401(k) matching
  • Parental leave
  • Free meals or discounted services

How To Estimate Your Take-Home Pay as a Sommelier

If you’re a Sommelier working in the U.S., you can use our Paycheck Calculator below to determine how much you will earn after taxes. Just input your salary, pay frequency and location, and our calculator will do the rest.

Paycheck Calculator
Salary
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Pay frequency
State
Your estimated take home pay:
$60,000
Detailed tax breakdown:
$0%
Total Tax
$100%
Net Pay
Salary
$60,000
Federal Income Tax
- $0
State Income Tax
- $0
Social Security Tax
- $0
Medicare
- $0
Take Home
$60,000
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.

Average Sommelier Salary by State

Explore the average Sommelier salary by state.

Sommelier Salary FAQ

Master Sommeliers can earn up to $160,000 per year.

Sommeliers do not usually receive tips, although it is possible for customers to tip a Sommelier directly by giving them cash.

Absolutely, and it might be one of the ultimate deciding factors for employers. The Court of Master Sommeliers offers a four-level education course, with the fourth level designating an individual as a Master Sommelier.

Master Sommeliers can earn significantly more than beginners or individuals with little prior experience.

Yes, Sommeliers receive benefits, although the specific benefits they receive can vary from employer to employer. Still, the most common benefits Sommeliers receive include:

  • Health, vision and dental insurance
  • 401(k) matching
  • Parental leave
  • Free meals or discounted services