Bartender Salary in 2026
How Much Do Bartenders Make?
Bartenders earn a median annual salary of $33,530 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $19,930 at the 10th percentile to $71,920 at the 90th percentile — a range of $51,990. The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,820.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $19,930 |
| 25th percentile | $25,790 |
| Median (50th) | $33,530 |
| 75th percentile | $46,790 |
| 90th percentile | $71,920 |
Bartender Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaiitop | $68,820 |
| New York | $60,750 |
| District of Columbia | $54,930 |
| Vermont | $54,310 |
| Washington | $48,320 |
| Maine | $47,630 |
| Virginia | $46,860 |
| New Jersey | $45,660 |
| Arizona | $40,860 |
| Michigan | $39,500 |
| Delaware | $36,420 |
| Massachusetts | $36,000 |
| California | $35,900 |
| Maryland | $35,750 |
| Connecticut | $34,420 |
| Utah | $34,120 |
| Oregon | $33,970 |
| Colorado | $33,780 |
| Rhode Island | $33,700 |
| North Carolina | $32,410 |
| New Mexico | $31,370 |
| Florida | $30,850 |
| Alaska | $29,860 |
| Ohio | $29,850 |
| Nebraska | $29,400 |
| Illinois | $29,120 |
| West Virginia | $29,030 |
| Kentucky | $28,590 |
| South Dakota | $28,530 |
| North Dakota | $28,440 |
| New Hampshire | $28,100 |
| Kansas | $27,760 |
| Texas | $27,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,090 |
| Missouri | $27,060 |
| Minnesota | $26,840 |
| Arkansas | $26,030 |
| Nevada | $25,790 |
| Mississippi | $24,700 |
| Georgia | $23,500 |
| Idaho | $22,880 |
| Montana | $22,840 |
| Indiana | $22,790 |
| Alabama | $22,670 |
| Tennessee | $22,660 |
| Wisconsin | $22,520 |
| Iowa | $22,500 |
| Wyoming | $22,010 |
| Oklahoma | $21,620 |
| Louisiana | $19,620 |
| South Carolina | $18,390 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Bartenders
Bartender Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$19,930 – $25,790 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$33,530 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$46,790 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $71,920+ |
How to Earn More as a Bartender
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Bartenders in Kahului-Wailuku, HI earn $80,040 — $46,510 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($46,790) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Bartender Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Bartenderthis career | $33,530 |
| Food Service Manager | $65,310 |
| Chefs and Head Cook | $60,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor | $42,010 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,160 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Bartender requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 35-3011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.