Sommelier Jobs

New Sommelier Jobs with salaries & benefits from top venues every day

Looking for open Sommelier positions? OysterLink equips you with easy‑to‑use resume creating tools, expert interview tips, detailed salary data and career insights.Read more

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Find Sommelier Jobs in the U.S.

Looking for Sommelier jobs? You're in the right place — with 387 of openings across the U.S., Sommelier opportunities are everywhere.

How To Apply for Sommelier Jobs

Applying for a Sommelier job can be competitive, but taking the right steps will greatly improve your chances.

1. Build a Professional Sommelier Resume

Create a strong resume that showcases your wine knowledge, certifications, and service experience. Highlight your expertise in wine pairings, tastings, cellar management, and any awards or recognitions.

Register an account on OysterLink to access an easy-to-use resume builder for Sommeliers.

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When using our resume-building tool, make sure to:

  • Fill in all details: Add your bio, work history, certifications (e.g., Court of Master Sommeliers), education, and languages to boost visibility.
  • Set privacy: Choose who can view your resume — public or applied employers only.
  • Upload a photo: Add a clean, professional headshot (PNG/JPG, 200×200 px).
  • Update location: Make sure your city is accurate so local employers can find you.
  • Write your bio: Briefly highlight your skills, experience, and the type of Sommelier role you're seeking.

2. Tailor Each Sommelier Application

83% of recruiters are more likely to hire candidates who submit customized resumes. That said: 

  • Don’t send the same resume and cover letter to every job.
  • Mirror the job description and highlight relevant wine expertise.
  • Mention the restaurant or wine bar by name and why their wine selection and concept excite you.

A tailored application helps you stand out in a competitive Sommelier job market.

3. Prepare for Sommelier Job Interviews

Before any wine-focused interview, practice discussing your wine background, philosophy, and how you handle guest interactions. Tailor your strengths to the setting you're applying to.

  • Review the job listing and wine list.
  • Share examples that demonstrate your leadership, palate development, or service innovation.
  • Be ready to discuss how you handle challenges and ask thoughtful questions about cellar management and guest preferences.
  • Highlight your flexibility and interpersonal skills — key traits in guest-focused, high-end establishments.

Here are some commonly asked questions and sample answers for Sommelier interviews:

1. General Questions Asked in a Sommelier Interview

2. Interview Questions Regarding Experience and Skill

3. Situational Sommelier Interview Questions

Why Work as a Sommelier in the U.S.?

Becoming a Sommelier in the United States is no longer just a niche calling; it’s a respected career path that combines expertise, creativity, and a growing demand for wine knowledge. 

With diners expecting elevated beverage programs and restaurants investing heavily in curated wine lists, the role of the Sommelier has never been more important—or more rewarding.

Strong Job Growth and Rising Demand

Across the U.S., the hospitality industry is expanding beyond food service to create unforgettable dining experiences. Wine service is a big part of that growth. 

According to the National Restaurant Association, more than 60% of full‑service restaurants now offer enhanced wine programs, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued growth in roles that require advanced food and beverage knowledge, including Sommeliers.

Vast Opportunities in a Thriving Industry

Besides the growing demand for Sommeliers in restaurants, hotels and resorts, there is a growing demand for Sommeliers in wineries. 

There are 11,499 bonded wineries according to Wine Business Analytics. Here's how they're separated based on state:

StateWinery Count% of Total
California4,86442%
Oregon8748%
Washington8547%
Texas5275%
New York4524%
Pennsylvania4013%
Virginia3903%
Ohio3363%
Michigan2552%
North Carolina2022%
Missouri1601%
Colorado1551%
All other states2,02918%
Total U.S. Wineries11,499100%

Competitive Salaries Across the Country

A Sommelier’s compensation reflects their expertise. National data compiled from industry salary reports show that entry‑level assistant Sommeliers can earn between $45,000 and $55,000 annually, while certified Sommeliers with several years of experience often average $60,000 to $75,000 per year.

In high‑cost, wine‑centric markets, the pay climbs even higher.

  • New York City: Senior Sommeliers often make $80,000–$100,000 with bonus structures tied to wine sales.
  • San Francisco: Positions in luxury hotels or acclaimed restaurants average $85,000 and can exceed six figures.
  • Miami and Chicago: Salaries typically range from $65,000 to $90,000, with additional benefits such as wine education stipends or travel for vineyard visits.

Performance incentives are common in this field. Many establishments offer commission on wine sales, profit‑sharing on beverage programs, and perks like paid certifications through the Court of Master Sommeliers or the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

Sommelier Career Progression

Mapping out a Sommelier career means understanding how skills, certifications, and experience translate into bigger roles and higher pay. 

Below is a clear path showing each step in the journey and the typical salary ranges you can expect at each level.

1. Entry‑Level: Wine Steward / Server with Wine Duties

  • What you do: Assist with basic wine service, learn varietals, and support the main Sommelier.
  • Typical salary: $35,000 – $45,000 per year (often includes tips/service charges).

2. Junior Sommelier / Assistant Sommelier

  • What you do: Manage sections of a wine list, handle some purchasing, train servers on pairings.
  • Typical salary: $45,000 – $55,000 per year plus occasional bonuses or tasting perks.

3. Sommelier (Full Role)

  • What you do: Oversee the wine program, curate lists, negotiate with vendors, lead staff education.
  • Typical salary: $60,000 – $75,000 per year; high‑volume or luxury restaurants may push toward $80K with incentives.

4. Head Sommelier / Beverage Manager

  • What you do: Lead a team, control beverage budgets, design multi‑venue programs, and host events.
  • Typical salary: $75,000 – $90,000 per year, often with bonus structures tied to sales and profitability.

5. Master Sommelier / Director of Wine

  • What you do: Top-tier leadership—consulting, global programs, high-level purchasing, and brand direction.
  • Typical salary: $100,000 – $160,000+ per year, with many earning commissions, speaking fees, and travel stipends.

Top Paying Sommelier Jobs

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Explore 387 Sommelier Jobs - Updated Jul 28, 2025

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City Winery is an innovative and distinctive establishment that seamlessly blends live music, culinary arts, and wine-making to create an unparalleled cultural experience. Founded in 2008 by music industry...

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City Winery is a unique and vibrant establishment that brings together the worlds of wine, food, and live entertainment to create an exceptional cultural and culinary experience. Since its inception in 2008 by...

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City Winery is a distinctive and innovative establishment that seamlessly blends the art of winemaking with live music and fine dining to create a truly unique cultural and culinary destination. Established in...

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Zuma is a contemporary Japanese restaurant collection inspired by the dynamic Izakaya dining style. Established as a flagship brand under the Azumi collection, Zuma proudly operates four iconic venues...

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Jose Andres Group (JAG) is a renowned restaurant company with a presence across major cities in America, including Miami, Orlando, Las Vegas, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, DC. Since its inception in...

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Hawksmoor is an esteemed restaurant located in the heart of New York City, nestled within a magnificent National Historic Landmark known as The United Charities Building, constructed in 1893. This landmark...

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Exact $19.00

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Generous pay and benefits

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Hawksmoor is set in a stunning restaurant space in New York City, housed within a beautiful National Historic Landmark originally built as The United Charities Building in 1893. This remarkable venue features...

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This prestigious venue is renowned for its dedication to delivering exceptional dining experiences, where each element is crafted to perfection, including the wine program. The establishment operates as a...

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Range $16.00 - $31.00

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$80,000-$85,000 salary plus 1% commission on wine sales

$80,000-$85,000 salary plus 1% commission on wine sales

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Alliance Hospitality Group is a renowned company committed to delivering exceptional restaurant experiences through passionate service and quality food. Focused on fostering strong relationships within the...

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Competitive hourly wage plus tips

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The FAENA Movement is a vibrant cultural, artistic, and community-driven establishment, deeply rooted in the warmth and traditions of the South. Known for combining authentic and attentive hospitality with the...

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  1. Built for Hospitality Pros: Every feature on OysterLink is designed around restaurant, hotel, and beverage workflows. You’ll see the details that matter to you—wine program size, cellar management duties, team structure, benefits, and clear pay information.
  2. Fast, Focused Applications: Upload your resume once and apply with a single click. Our integrated profile system saves your information so you can send tailored applications without wasting time.
  3. Intelligent Filters: Search by city, role, experience level, employment type, or desired salary. Get instant results that align with your exact preferences.
  4. Proven Success: Hundreds of Sommeliers and beverage professionals have already started or advanced their careers through OysterLink.
  5. Transparent & Trusted: We vet every employer before they appear on our platform, so you can apply with confidence knowing each listing is legitimate and current.

OysterLink is a restaurant and hospitality-focused platform that simplifies the search for Sommelier opportunities.

Use OysterLink’s advanced filters to find jobs by:

  • Location
  • Role
  • Experience level
  • Employment type
  • Salary range

By using our filters, you'll get tailored results — hundreds of Sommelier jobs across the U.S. or dozens of openings in your chosen city. Compare listings, read job descriptions, and save your top choices.

Rated 4.9 on Glassdoor, OysterLink is a trusted platform for hospitality and Sommelier job opportunities.

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Our dedicated selection team carefully screens every employer and job listing featured on our platform, assessing essential factors such as work environment, employee reviews, salary transparency and overall industry reputation. 

This ensures job seekers find reliable Sommelier positions tailored to their career goals.

Sources

OysterLink maintains an extensive database of hospitality and culinary job listings and employers across the United States. Our listings are verified through a thorough vetting process, ensuring reliability and accuracy:

  • Dedicated research: Our hospitality experts actively research and compile top Sommelier opportunities by analyzing job postings, employer websites and company reputations.
  • Employer submissions: Restaurants, hotels, and hospitality companies can submit job listings directly to OysterLink. Each submission undergoes a careful review and verification process to ensure only genuine, high-quality employment opportunities are listed.

Sommelier Jobs FAQ

Yes, you can apply to be a Sommelier even if you don’t have any certifications.

Not all employers require their Sommeliers to be certified. However, individuals who wish to have formal recognition should pursue a certification from an authoritative body like the Court of Master Sommeliers

In the official sense, anyone who has a certification from the likes of Court of Master Sommeliers or Wine and Spirit Education Trust can call themselves a Sommelier.

That said, it is possible to work as a Sommelier or a “wine steward” without a certification, depending on the employer and your work experience.

Sommeliers typically work in fine-dining or upscale establishments where they manage wine lists, inventory and deliver wine service to the restaurant’s patrons.

However, Sommeliers can also pursue the following careers:

  • Wine Educator
  • Winery Sommelier
  • Wine Buyer