How much does a bartender make?
Answer: A typical bartender in the United States makes $34,340 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 756,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Bartender pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20,110 | $34,340 | $73,770 | about 756,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 | about 4,000 |
| New York | $61,210 | about 43,000 |
| Washington | $55,830 | about 17,000 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | about 6,000 |
| Maine | $48,920 | about 3,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, useful training or certification, location, and workplace type can all affect a bartender’s pay. Tips are included in reported pay, so hours and shifts can change what someone takes home.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a bartender do?
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
What's a typical day like?
A bartender welcomes customers, checks IDs, takes orders, mixes drinks, collects payment, and cleans the bar. Evening and weekend shifts can get busy, so bartenders serve quickly and coordinate with other staff.
How to get this job
In the United States, no special schooling is usually needed, but most states require bartenders to be at least 18. Learn recipes and bar setup on the job for a few weeks; some places also require a responsible-server course.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
In the United States, bartenders spend an average of 98.3% of their workday standing—almost the whole shift!
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Food Preparation and Serving jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/bartenders.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/35-3011.00
- www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/pdf/bartenders.pdf
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY