How Much Does a Sommelier Make in the United States?
The average base salary for Sommelier in the United States is a month or $65, 581 per year, according to recent data we gathered through our salary estimate methodology.
How Much Does a Sommelier Earn Hourly?
On average, Sommeliers in the United States earn $31.53 per hour.
Additionally, their salary is supplemented through tips and non-monetary benefits.
How Much Does a Sommelier Make Weekly?
Typically, a Sommelier’s weekly salary comes to about $1,261.
Sommelier Salaries Across the US
A Sommelier’s salary 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).
Sommelier Salary in Major US Cities
Out of the four major cities, Miami offers the highest average salary to Sommeliers at $71,153 annually.
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.
Annual mean wage
$71,153
Annual mean wage
$59,982
Annual mean wage
$57,666
Annual mean wage
$64,387
[Calculated using Glassdoor, Salary.com and Indeed data]
What Affects a Sommelier’s Earnings?
A Sommelier’s overall earnings can vary based on multiple factors that go beyond geography.
Some of them include:
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.
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.
As masters of their craft, these Sommeliers can sometimes earn as much as $160,000 annually.
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 starting your Sommelier career 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.
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 United States, 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 rest.
Total Tax
Net pay
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.
| 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 necessary experience and education individuals must have to perform in this role.
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Bartender | |
| Host/Hostess | |
| Barista |
Sommelier Salary FAQ
Master Sommeliers can earn more than $150,000 annually, although this salary comes from years of education and extensive experience across the hospitality industry.
Yes, Sommeliers receive tips.
Although it is possible for customers to tip a Sommelier directly by giving them cash, typically Servers will share their tips with other members of the staff and this includes Sommeliers.
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
