Top 10 Bartender Jobs in NYC, NY – July 2024 Job Listings

The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area offers plenty of career opportunities in bartending. Among all the metropolitan areas in the United States, it has the highest number of employed Bartenders.

[Source: BLS]

Bartender Salary in New York City, NY

Bartender jobs in New York City bring an annual average wage of $58,050 or $27.91 per hour, which is 56.5%% higher than the average wage Bartenders across the U.S. make at $37,090 with $17.83 per hour.

Compare the average salaries Bartenders make in major U.S. cities:

Miami

Annual mean wage

$39,270

Number of Employees

14,410

New York City

Annual mean wage

$58,050

Number of Employees

31,670

Chicago

Annual mean wage

$35,630

Number of Employees

23,080

Los Angeles

Annual mean wage

$40,080

Number of Employees

22,530

[Source: BLS]

Several factors contribute to the higher wages for Bartenders in the Big Apple.

Firstly, the City’s vibrant nightlife and tourism industry create a high demand for skilled Bartenders, leading to increased competition among establishments to attract and retain top talent.

This competition often drives up salaries as bars and restaurants seek to offer competitive compensation packages to their staff.

Additionally, the cost of living in New York City is notably higher than the national average, necessitating higher wages to maintain a decent standard of living.

Bartenders in New York City must contend with sky-high housing costs, transportation expenses and other living expenses, further justifying the elevated pay scale in comparison to other parts of the country.

If you are a Bartender in New York City, try out our New York Paycheck Calculator to see what your take-home pay is in this state. Whether you receive compensation on an hourly basis or a fixed salary, our calculator ensures precise calculation of your earnings.

Tipping Trends for Bartender Jobs in New York City

Bartenders usually receive tips of 15%–20% of the total tab, or around $1–$2 per drink, so expect this to significantly boost your total take-home pay.

The chart below shows the cities with the highest average tipping rates in the U.S.:

[Source: Toast]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the chart to see detailed data. 

For more information on bartending salaries across major U.S. cities, check our Bartender Salary guide.

Bartender Career Outlook

The employment outlook for Bartenders is promising, with a projected growth of 3% from 2022 to 2032. This has resulted in 641,300 annual Bartender jobs on average in the U.S.

Bartender Employment per State

[Source: BLS]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the chart to see detailed data.

Is Bartender the Right Role for You?

See if you have what it takes to be a Bartender by taking our quiz below.

Legal Requirements for Bartending Jobs in NYC

Bartending in New York City requires adherence to specific legal requirements aimed at ensuring the safety and integrity of alcoholic beverage service. Prospective Bartenders must familiarize themselves with these regulations to operate within the confines of the law and maintain professional standards.

Below, we outline key legal requirements applicable to Bartender jobs in New York City:

• Age requirement: The legal drinking age of 21 is standard across the United States, while the minimum age to serve alcohol in NYC is 18.
• Licensing requirements: In New York City, establishments must obtain licenses from the New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) and comply with local regulations.
• Legal hours of operation: Sales of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, such as in bars or lounges, are restricted from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays and from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sundays.
• Identification verification: The requirement to check identification before serving alcohol is standard across the United States.
• Dram Shop liability: Under the New York Dram Shop Law, it’s illegal for businesses to serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals, defined by signs like slurred speech, bloodshot eyes or lack of coordination. Businesses may be held liable for damages caused by intoxicated patrons to third parties, such as in accidents or altercations. This includes incidents involving underage patrons or habitual drunkards.
• Taxation on tips: Bartenders in New York City are required to report all tips received during their shifts as part of their taxable income. The IRS requires employees who receive more than $20 in tips in a month to report them to their employer. Employers are then responsible for withholding taxes on these reported tips.

While alcohol server training is not mandatory, the state government strongly recommends and many employers require the Alcohol Training Awareness Program (ATAP) certification. For a list of certified ATAP schools, click here.