The average salary for a bartender in the United States is $37,090, but the range typically falls between $23,860 and $42,800. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $17.83, with a range between $11.47 and $20.58.
There are approximately 711,140 people employed as a bartender in the United States. With California, Texas, Florida employing the highest number of bartenders.The state with the best pay for a bartender is Hawaii, with an average annual salary of $52,140, while South Carolina has the lowest average annual salary of $23,970.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $19,870 | $9.55 |
| 25th Percentile | $23,860 | $11.47 |
| Median | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,800 | $20.58 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,210 | $29.43 |
The salary of a bartender can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a bartender in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for bartenders are Hawaii, Washington, District of Columbia, New York, Arizona while the worst states are South Carolina, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $16,620 | $26,520 | $46,850 |
| Alaska | $22,860 | $30,290 | $37,820 |
| Arizona | $29,300 | $50,870 | $78,790 |
| Arkansas | $23,090 | $34,890 | $55,260 |
| California | $32,240 | $41,150 | $61,490 |
| Colorado | $28,390 | $40,800 | $72,030 |
| Connecticut | $29,340 | $41,730 | $64,330 |
| Delaware | $24,440 | $36,700 | $58,440 |
| District of Columbia | $33,490 | $59,850 | $110,360 |
| Florida | $22,880 | $38,220 | $62,460 |
| Georgia | $17,600 | $31,680 | $47,970 |
| Hawaii | $24,960 | $52,140 | $80,730 |
| Idaho | $17,420 | $28,240 | $47,170 |
| Illinois | $27,040 | $35,000 | $49,990 |
| Indiana | $17,270 | $26,300 | $38,410 |
| Iowa | $17,710 | $25,790 | $36,980 |
| Kansas | $16,960 | $31,350 | $56,630 |
| Kentucky | $16,160 | $33,140 | $58,890 |
| Louisiana | $16,910 | $25,280 | $39,180 |
| Maine | $28,870 | $46,410 | $76,080 |
| Maryland | $27,590 | $40,020 | $59,280 |
| Massachusetts | $31,200 | $39,350 | $55,630 |
| Michigan | $22,130 | $36,860 | $58,070 |
| Minnesota | $22,350 | $27,800 | $34,940 |
| Mississippi | $17,010 | $31,630 | $54,330 |
| Missouri | $24,960 | $35,600 | $62,030 |
| Montana | $20,700 | $24,680 | $30,080 |
| Nebraska | $21,840 | $32,780 | $57,360 |
| Nevada | $21,170 | $32,850 | $43,070 |
| New Hampshire | $18,180 | $35,610 | $70,630 |
| New Jersey | $29,660 | $47,660 | $75,640 |
| New Mexico | $24,960 | $36,750 | $59,790 |
| New York | $30,260 | $56,140 | $96,640 |
| North Carolina | $17,110 | $38,960 | $75,960 |
| North Dakota | $17,630 | $31,460 | $50,000 |
| Ohio | $21,670 | $34,470 | $58,100 |
| Oklahoma | $16,500 | $25,670 | $45,760 |
| Oregon | $28,270 | $34,950 | $56,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $17,030 | $29,030 | $48,230 |
| Rhode Island | $27,110 | $38,230 | $63,220 |
| South Carolina | $17,040 | $23,970 | $36,650 |
| South Dakota | $23,450 | $29,310 | $35,540 |
| Tennessee | $16,710 | $28,810 | $47,500 |
| Texas | $16,960 | $33,990 | $58,430 |
| Utah | $16,590 | $37,560 | $61,240 |
| Vermont | $28,160 | $49,540 | $93,590 |
| Virginia | $26,000 | $46,730 | $74,580 |
| Washington | $33,530 | $57,710 | $95,000 |
| West Virginia | $19,170 | $33,660 | $57,680 |
| Wisconsin | $17,600 | $26,880 | $38,480 |
| Wyoming | $17,040 | $27,500 | $44,570 |
Even between cities, the salary of a bartender can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for bartenders is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, WA with an average salary of $61,620.The city with the lowest average salary for bartenders is Lower Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area, SC with an average salary of $21,290.
Areas with highest average salaries for bartenders
Areas with lowest average salaries for bartenders
The number of bartenders in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of bartenders has increased by 224,420. On average, the number of bartenders has been increasing by 11.5% each year. The salary of bartenders has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of bartenders has increased by $8,180. On average, the salary of bartenders has been increasing by 7.1% each year.
Bartenders are part of the food preparation and serving related occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for bartenders compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all food preparation and serving related occupations jobs here.
$32,960 per year
$37,610 per year
$30,110 per year
$33,840 per year
$36,530 per year
$36,060 per year
