As of August 01, 2025, Bartenders in the United States earn an average annual salary of $28,445 with an hourly rate of $14. Salary ranges from $21,489 (10th percentile) to $32,293 (90th percentile), with the majority earning between $24,804 (25th percentile) and $30,459 (75th percentile). Compensation varies based on experience, skills, company size, and local market factors - all explored below.
Salary.com provides you with accurate and diversified Bartender salary data based on specialized databases to help you get a fairer salary. Click the switch button below to see more details about Bartender hourly pay, weekly pay, monthly pay and so on.
Last Updated on August 01, 2025An entry-level Bartender with less than 1 year of experience earns about $27,793. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $28,445. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $29,106. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $29,196, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $29,347.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Bartender | $27,793 |
| Intermediate Level Bartender | $28,445 |
| Senior Level Bartender | $29,106 |
| Specialist Level Bartender | $29,196 |
| Expert Level Bartender | $29,347 |
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Bartender with a No Diploma is $21,752 - $23,358. Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.
Bartender Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.9% |
| High School | 41.1% |
| Associates | 18.3% |
| Bachelors | 31.4% |
| Masters | 3.4% |
| Doctorate | 2.9% |
As of August 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Bartender compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $36,754 in 2023 to approximately $35,866 in 2025. (For a detailed analysis of Bartender salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
| Median | % of Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $28,445 | 68.7% |
| Bonus | $-1,727 | -4.2% |
| Median | % of Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | $2,044 | 4.9% |
| 401K/403B | $1,309 | 3.2% |
| Disability | $427 | 1.0% |
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 15.4% |
| Pension | $1,122 | 2.7% |
| Time Off | $3,391 | 8.2% |
| Total Compensation | $41,383 | 100% |
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The average annual salary of Bartender is $28,445. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Bartender is $14; the average weekly pay of Bartender is $547; the average monthly pay of Bartender is $2,370.
A Bartender's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Bartender earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Bartender is $35,878.
The highest pay for Bartender is $32,293.
The lowest pay for Bartender is $21,489.
Prepares cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages for customers. Has knowledge of common drinks and makes suggestions to customers. Monitors bar inventory and takes appropriate action. May require a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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