Sommelier Salary in the United States
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.Average Sommelier Base Salary:
What can I earn as Sommelier? Your salary is $0.00 on the US national average.Note: All figures in this guide have been calculated using our salary estimate methodology.
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
Sommelier salary averages can greatly vary across different states and districts, as you can see in the map below.
[Calculated using ZipRecruiter, Salary.com and Indeed data]
This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
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.
Miami
Annual mean wage
$71,153
New York City
Annual mean wage
$59,982
Chicago
Annual mean wage
$57,666
Los Angeles
Annual mean wage
$64,387
[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.
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
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.
If your gross pay is $60,000.00 per year in the state of California, your net pay (or take home pay) will be $48,289.31 after tax deductions of 19.52% (or $11,710.69). Deductions include a total of [1] 9.07% (or $5,440.50) for the federal income tax, [2] 2.80% (or $1,680.19) for the state income tax, [3] 6.20% (or $3,720.00) for the social security tax and [4] 1.45% (or $870.00) for Medicare.
The Federal Income Tax is collected by the government and is consistent across all U.S. regions. In contrast, the State Income Tax is levied by the state of residence and work, leading to substantial variations. The Social Security Tax is used to fund Social Security, which benefits retirees, persons with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers. Medicare involves a federal payroll tax designated for the Medicare insurance program. As of 2022, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not levy a state income tax.
Average Sommelier Salary by State
Explore the average Sommelier salary by state.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $56,082 |
| Alaska | $62,827 |
| Arizona | $50,287 |
| Arkansas | $53,505 |
| California | $57,944 |
| Colorado | $60,063 |
| Connecticut | $55,503 |
| Delaware | $59,082 |
| Florida | $50,060 |
| Georgia | $57,969 |
| Hawaii | $50,875 |
| Idaho | $55,643 |
| Illinois | $55,543 |
| Indiana | $49,432 |
| Iowa | $56,760 |
| Kansas | $55,649 |
| Kentucky | $53,166 |
| Louisiana | $52,889 |
| Maine | $58,645 |
| Maryland | $58,791 |
| Massachusetts | $57,267 |
| Michigan | $51,595 |
| Minnesota | $60,351 |
| Mississippi | $54,343 |
| Missouri | $71,375 |
| Montana | $63,341 |
| Nebraska | $50,363 |
| Nevada | $52,659 |
| New Hampshire | $60,778 |
| New Jersey | $53,359 |
| New Mexico | $47,005 |
| New York | $52,615 |
| North Carolina | $53,557 |
| North Dakota | $58,503 |
| Ohio | $51,982 |
| Oklahoma | $54,843 |
| Oregon | $55,873 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,999 |
| Rhode Island | $52,911 |
| South Carolina | $53,991 |
| South Dakota | $55,471 |
| Tennessee | $51,187 |
| Texas | $55,666 |
| Utah | $52,363 |
| Vermont | $57,489 |
| Virginia | $58,782 |
| Washington | $76,033 |
| West Virginia | $49,932 |
| Wisconsin | $50,619 |
| Wyoming | $53,455 |
| District of Columbia | $65,466 |
How Much Do Similar Careers to a Sommelier Get Paid?
In the U.S., Sommeliers earn more than Bartenders, Hosts/Hostesses and Baristas. Higher Sommelier salaries come as a result of the necessary experience and education individuals must have for this role.
| Job Title | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Bartender | $37,090 |
| Host/Hostess | $30,750 |
| Barista | $34,825 |
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