Quick answer
Bartenders in California earned a median of $36,220 a year ($17.41 an hour) in May 2025, 5% above the national median of $34,340; 71,470 were employed there, ranking #21 of 54 states and territories by median pay, per BLS OEWS.
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| Measure | California | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $36,220 | $34,340 |
| Mean annual wage | $44,780 | $40,790 |
| Median hourly wage | $17.41 | $16.51 |
| 10th percentile | $34,320 | $20,110 |
| 25th percentile | $34,660 | $27,400 |
| 75th percentile | $40,990 | $47,570 |
| 90th percentile | $75,130 | $73,770 |
| Employment | 71,470 | 756,390 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 3.924 | — |
| Location quotient | 0.81 | 1.00 |
Related
- Bartenders salary in Alaska (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Arizona (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Arkansas (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Colorado (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Connecticut (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Delaware (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in District of Columbia (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Florida (May 2025)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.