Interesting Statistics About Bartenders in 2025

Key Findings:

• There are currently 711,140 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 60.5% of bartenders in the U.S., while men account for 39.5%.
• However, more men have shown interest in becoming Bartenders, with a reported ratio of 1.48 to 1. 
• Bartenders earn an average hourly base wage of $17.83. 
• The District of Columbia, Washington State and New York are the three highest-paying areas for Bartenders. 
• On average, Bartenders score their job satisfaction at 3 out of 5.

This report breaks down the Bartender statistics in 2025, providing valuable insights into the current state of the U.S. bartending sector. Below, we’ll highlight key trends and developments that are influencing the profession — from employment figures and earnings to demographic shifts and workplace dynamics. 

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

Nationwide Bartender Employment and Job Outlook

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

• Total employment: There are about 711,140 Bartenders employed in 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: As of March 2025, there is a 9% projected increase in the demand for Bartenders, which is notably faster than the average for all occupations. 

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. 

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: Women make up 60.5% of all employed Bartenders, while men account for 39.5%. 
• Career interest by gender: However, more men have expressed interest in becoming Bartenders, with a reported ratio of 1.48 to 1. (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 40 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 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 $37,090 per year (before tips), on average. This translates to an average base wage of $17.83 per hour (before tips). 
• Top percentile: The top 25% of Bartenders earn around $37,560 yearly or $18.06 hourly.
• Daily tip amount: On average, tips that Bartenders receive can range from $100 to $300, representing a substantial potential for higher earnings. (Source) 
• Regional variations: The District of Columbia is the highest-paying area for Bartenders, with an average base salary of $57,710 per year. Coming in second and third are Washington State ($57,710 per year) and New York ($56,140 per year), respectively. 
• 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 3.0 out of 5 stars, 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.

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 319,880 Bartenders. Following closely are drinking places (e.g., bars and pubs) which employ around 182,100 Bartenders and traveler accommodations (e.g., hotels) which have around 43,530. (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

The bartending industry is constantly evolving with changing consumer tastes and new technology. 

• 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) 
• The espresso martini also saw significant growth, experiencing a 116% increase in the third quarter year-over-year.
• There’s been a significant shift toward non-alcoholic options, especially among younger consumers. Approximately 38% of Gen Z drinkers reported purchasing more non-alcoholic beverages compared to the previous year, while only 8% of boomers did the same. (Source)
• The non-alcoholic beverage market is currently valued at $563 billion and is projected to reach $597 billion by 2027. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. (Source)
• 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)
• 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)
• 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. 

Conclusion

The above Bartender statistics for 2025 reveal a dynamic and evolving profession, with over 700,000 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 fairly low, with Bartenders reporting below-average career happiness. Trends like new cocktails, low-alcohol options and technology integration 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.