How Much Does a Bartender Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$34,340
Bartenders in the U.S. earn a median of $34,340 a year, or $16.51 an hour. Half of bartenders earn more than $34,340 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $73,770.
Pay percentiles for bartenders
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $9.67 | $20,110 |
| 25th | $13.17 | $27,400 |
| 50th (median) | $16.51 | $34,340 |
| 75th | $22.87 | $47,570 |
| 90th | $35.47 | $73,770 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Bartenders (SOC 35-3011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for bartenders
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 | $36.78 | +123% |
| New York | $61,210 | $29.43 | +78% |
| Washington | $55,830 | $26.84 | +63% |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | $25.92 | +57% |
| Maine | $48,920 | $23.52 | +42% |
| Virginia | $47,070 | $22.63 | +37% |
| Vermont | $45,450 | $21.85 | +32% |
| Arizona | $45,070 | $21.67 | +31% |
| New Jersey | $44,020 | $21.16 | +28% |
| Oregon | $38,900 | $18.70 | +13% |
| United States | $34,340 | $16.51 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many bartenders are there?
BLS counts about 756,390 bartenders employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (71,470), Texas (59,000) and Florida (55,170).
The mean (average) annual wage is $40,790, higher than the median of $34,340.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $2,862
- Biweekly
- $1,321
- Weekly
- $660
- Daily (8 hours)
- $132
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do bartenders make an hour?
The median hourly wage for bartenders is $16.51. The middle 50% earn between $13.17 and $22.87 an hour.
Which state pays bartenders the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage for bartenders at $76,490, +123% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for bartenders?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of bartenders earn less than $20,110 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.