50+ Interesting Statistics About Bartenders in 2025

Bartender Workforce Overview: Key Highlights

• There are currently 745,610 Bartenders working in the United States.
• California is the state that hires the largest number of Bartenders.
• The New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area has the highest employment level for Bartenders.
• 52% of Bartenders are in full-time roles while 48% are part-time.
• Women make up 61% of Bartenders in the U.S., while men account for 39%.
• However, more men have shown interest in becoming Bartenders, with a reported ratio of 1.49 to 1.
• Bartenders earn an average hourly base wage of $19.17.
• Hawaii, New York and the District of Columbia are the three highest-paying areas for Bartenders.
• On average, Bartenders score their job satisfaction at 3 out of 5.
• Bars and nightclubs in the U.S. are expected to generate $38 billion in 2025.

This report breaks down the Bartender statistics in 2025, providing valuable insights into the current state of the U.S. bartending scene. 

Below, we’ll highlight key trends and developments that are influencing the profession — from employment figures and earnings to demographics and industry trends. 

By examining these latest statistics, we can better understand the factors driving growth, challenges and opportunities within the larger bartending industry. 

Nationwide Bartender Employment and Job Outlook

Understanding the scale of the bartending profession begins with quantifying its workforce.

• Total employment: There are about 745,610 Bartenders employed across the U.S. (Source)

• Number of jobs: Recent data shows that there are approximately 734,300 bartending jobs currently available.

• Job outlook: An average of 134,600 openings each year over the decade from 2023 to 2033 indicates consistent opportunities for those in this profession.
• Growth rate: There is a 9% projected increase in the demand for Bartenders, which is notably faster than the average 4% for all occupations in the U.S.

These figures point toward a significant number of opportunities for both current Bartenders and those just about to enter the field. 

Bartender Employment by Location

Bartending opportunities vary widely across the U.S., with certain states and metropolitan areas offering significantly higher employment levels.

Below are the top five states when it comes to employment levels for Bartenders.

Meanwhile, these are the five metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels. 

See also: How To Hire a Bartender: The Ultimate Guide for Employers

Demographics of US-Based Bartenders  

The demographic makeup of the bartending profession offers valuable insights into the individuals who shape this industry.

• Employment type: Bartenders often work evenings, weekends and holidays, with 52% in full-time roles and 48% part-time. ​(Source)

• Gender demographic: Women make up 61% of all employed Bartenders, while men account for 39%.
• Career interest by gender: Although more women are currently Bartenders, new data suggests rising interest among men (60%) entering the profession, with a 1.49 to 1 interest ratio. (Source)
• Age by gender: Currently, the average age for male Bartenders is 34, while for female Bartenders it is 30.

• Age distribution: Recent data shows that 39% of Bartenders are under 30 years old, 35% are between 30 and 39 and 26% are aged 40 or older.

• Level of educational attainment: A significant 45% of Bartenders hold a bachelor’s degree. Meanwhile, 22% hold a high school diploma or GED and another 22% possess an associate’s degree.

• Educational backgrounds: The three most common degree programs among Bartenders who have finished college are Business (17,857 graduates), Visual & Performing Arts (10,399) and Social Sciences (7,686).(Source) 

Salary and Overall Income 

Compensation for Bartenders in the U.S. is heavily influenced by various factors such as location, season and tips.

• Base salary: Recent data indicates that Bartenders earn $39,880 per year (before tips), on average. This translates to an average base wage of $19.17 per hour (before tips).

• Top percentile: The top 10% (or 90th percentile) of Bartenders earn around $71,920 yearly or $34.58 hourly.

• Daily tip amount: On average, tips that Bartenders receive can range from $100 to $300, representing a substantial potential for higher earnings. (Source)

• Best states for Bartender pay: The highest-paying state for Bartenders is Hawaii, where the average base salary is $71,570 a year. Coming in second and third are New York ($62,080 a year) and the District of Columbia ($60,420 a year), respectively. 

• Top-paying areas for Bartenders: On a metro area basis, Bartenders are likely to earn the highest salaries in Kahului-Wailuku ($87,800 a year) and the Urban Honolulu ($68,380 a year), both in Hawaii.

• Seasonal variations: Major events and local festivals often provide a significant increase in sales for bars and restaurants. For Bartenders, this means higher chances of getting tips due to the influx of patrons. 

Pro tip: Use our Paycheck Calculator to figure out exactly how much your take-home pay is. 

Beyond the Paycheck: Job Satisfaction  

While compensation is a significant factor, job satisfaction in the bartending profession is a more complex equation.

• Career happiness: Bartenders report an overall career happiness rating of 3 out of 5, placing them in the lower tier compared to other occupations. (Source)
• Salary satisfaction: On average, Bartenders rate their satisfaction with their salaries 3.1 out of 5.
• Personality fit: Bartenders rated how well their personality matches their job at an average of 4.1 out of 5. This shows that most of them feel well-suited to their work.
• Enjoyment of the work setting: Bartenders rated their work environment an average of 3.5 out of 5, suggesting a generally positive view of their workplace.
• Opportunities to apply skills: With an average rating of just 2.4/5, many Bartenders feel their skills aren’t being fully used on the job.

Understanding these figures can help identify key factors contributing to turnover rates within the broader hospitality industry. 

See also: High Turnover in Hospitality: Employees Leaving Even Quicker in 2025

Demographics and Income by Establishment Type or Sector

The characteristics of the bartending workforce and their income can also vary depending on the specific type of place where they work.

• Employment concentration: Restaurants and eating places are the largest employers, accounting for 334,410 Bartenders. Following closely are drinking places (e.g., bars and pubs) which employ around 182,290 Bartenders and traveler accommodations (e.g., hotels) which have around 49,900. (Source)
• Gender demographics across bars: Dive bars and neighborhood pubs have a higher proportion of female Bartenders compared to craft cocktail bars, which have historically been more male-dominated. (Source) 

See also: What Restaurants and Bars Do Bartenders Make the Most Money At?

Key Trends and Numbers in the Bartending Industry

From rising alcohol prices to robot bartenders, the bartending industry is being reshaped by evolving customer tastes and rapid innovation.

As a Bartender or business owner, here are further data and figures you should know. 

• Overall industry revenue: The revenue for bars and nightclubs in the U.S. is projected to reach $38 billion in 2025, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2% over the past five years. (Source)

• Alcohol market size: Meanwhile, the alcoholic beverage market is currently valued at $415 billion. It’s expected to reach $702.96 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 2.3%. (Source)
• Alcohol price increases: Alcohol prices have risen 1.4% over the past year, with bars seeing a 4% increase for beer and 2.7% for hard liquor.

• What consumers associate with each type of alcohol: A recent survey found that wine is widely seen as “timeless” and ideal for food pairings, with both wine and spirits viewed as more “elegant” and suited for formal occasions. In contrast, beer is associated with being “affordable,” “casual” and “convenient” — often favored for daytime drinking. (Source)
• On-premise alcohol spending: The average U.S. household spends around $350 per year on alcoholic drinks consumed at bars, restaurants and other venues.

• Role of cocktails in bar sales: Cocktails currently make up 35% of all spirits sales in U.S. bars and restaurants. With the average cocktail price being $13.50, these help push the typical guest check to $86.35. (Source)

• Top-selling cocktail: Recent data shows that the margarita is the most popular cocktail in the country, with 2024 third-quarter sales surpassing the same period in 2023 by 25%. (Source)

• Leading cocktail base: Tequila accounts for more than a third (34.1%) of all cocktail base sales by value in the U.S., up 1.8% from the year before. (Source)
• Espresso martini surge: The espresso martini also saw significant growth, experiencing a 116% increase in the third quarter year-over-year.

• Game day preferences: On Sundays during football season, bars in NFL-market cities report a 47% increase in hard seltzer sales. Lagers, red wine, whiskey and liqueurs also rank among the top five categories with the biggest NFL Sunday boosts. 

• Valentine’s Day drinking trends: On February 14, wine orders increase by around 240% compared to the average day — more than triple the usual volume. In contrast, beer and mixed drink orders tend to drop significantly.
• AI-driven consumer preferences: A recent survey found that 31% of U.S. consumers have already used AI to discover or help them choose drinks, while 71% are interested in doing so. (Source)

• AI as a trusted beverage guide: More than 40% of consumers say they’d trust AI to suggest drink pairings at a restaurant. Additionally, 26% would let AI choose their cocktail at a bar, and 39% would use it to select beverages for a party or gathering.

• Health-conscious drinking trends: About 49% of U.S. consumers said they plan to cut back on alcohol in 2025. This has led to growing interest in bars offering low-ABV and non-alcoholic beverages. (Source)

• Generational comparison: Approximately 38% of Gen Z drinkers reported purchasing more non-alcoholic beverages compared to the previous year. In contrast only 8% of boomers, 15% of Gen X and 25% of millennials did the same. (Source)

• Non-alcoholic market outlook: The non-alcoholic beverage market is currently valued at $597 billion and is projected to surpass $700 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 5.3%. (Source)

• Advanced bartending techniques: Bartenders are increasingly adopting techniques like fat-washing and flavor infusions to diversify cocktail offerings. These methods involve infusing spirits with fats or unique flavors to create distinctive taste profiles. (Source)
• Pre-batched cocktail trend: To enhance efficiency and consistency, more and more bars are embracing pre-batched cocktails. Popular choices for pre-batching included sangria, espresso martinis and margaritas.
• Market interest in pre-batched cocktails: About 33 % of consumers aged 21 to 34 say they’ve tried — or want to try — draft or pre-batched cocktails.

• Rise of automation in bartending: Robot bartenders are gaining traction, with the market growing 17–30% annually due to staffing challenges and consumer interest in novelty.
• Early adopters of bartending automation: High-volume venues like cruise ships, casinos and airports are embracing robot bartenders for their ability to serve 800–1,500 drinks daily without breaks.

Conclusion

The above Bartender statistics for 2025 reveal a dynamic and evolving profession, with over 740,000 workers in the industry. 

Bartending offers many job opportunities, especially in restaurants and bars, and the workforce is increasingly diverse, with a younger, predominantly female demographic of various educational backgrounds. 

While salaries can vary, tips in certain locations and establishments can significantly increase earnings. However, job satisfaction is still fairly low, with Bartenders reporting below-average career happiness. 

Meanwhile, trends like new cocktails, low- and zero-alcohol options and various technology integrations are shaping the industry. 

Overall, the bartending profession presents a mix of opportunities and challenges, requiring adaptability, strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to ongoing learning.