Cocktail Bartender Salary in the United States

How much does a Cocktail Bartender make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cocktail Bartender in the United States is $28,134 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $14.

However, a Cocktail Bartender's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $32,547
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $24,155 to $30,444
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $20,532
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View as table View as graph 25% $24,155 10% $20,532 90% $32,547 75% $30,444 $28,134 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Cocktail Bartender Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $30,444 $2,537 $585 $15
Average $28,134 $2,345 $541 $14
25th Percentile $24,155 $2,013 $465 $12
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Key Factors That Influence Cocktail Bartender Salaries

A Cocktail Bartender's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cocktail Bartender Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cocktail Bartender's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $28,300
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $28,963
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $29,628
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $29,718
  • Expert (over 8 years): $29,870
Levels Salary
Entry Level Cocktail Bartender$28,300
Intermediate Level Cocktail Bartender$28,963
Senior Level Cocktail Bartender$29,628
Specialist Level Cocktail Bartender$29,718
Expert Level Cocktail Bartender$29,870
$28,300 0 yr
$28,963 < 2 yrs
$29,628 2-4 yrs
$29,718 5-8 yrs
$29,870 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Cocktail Bartender Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Cocktail Bartenders. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $31,150.
  • California: $31,032.
  • Massachusetts: $30,618.

Top Paying Cities for Cocktail Bartenders

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $35,485
  • San Francisco: $35,137
  • Oakland: $34,357

What Skills Can Increase a Cocktail Bartender's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.18% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Credit Card (Mentioned in 3.07% Job Postings): A credit card is a type of credit facility, provided by banks that allow customers to borrow funds within a pre-approved credit limit.
  • Hospitality Services (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): Hospitality Services means any business operating within the service industry that includes lodging, hotel, event planning, and transportation.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.18%
Credit Card 3.07%
Hospitality Services 1.64%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Cocktail Bartender's salary.
  • Staff Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Staff Management
$30,666
9%
Leadership
$30,103
7%
Team Management
$29,259
4%
Work Ethic
$29,259
4%
Organizing
$29,259
4%
Commitment
$28,978
3%
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How Education impacts a Cocktail Bartender's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cocktail Bartenders enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Cocktail Bartender with a No Diploma is between $21,752 and $23,358).

Cocktail Bartender Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cocktail Bartender
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%
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Cocktail Bartender Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cocktail Bartender's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Cocktail Bartender

Salaries for a Cocktail Bartender can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $37,471 in 2023 to around $36,565 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cocktail Bartender salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Cocktail Bartender Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$37,471
2024
$36,996
2025
$36,565
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $37,471
2024 $36,996
2025 $36,565
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Cocktail Bartender

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Cocktail Bartender

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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