Quick answer
Bartenders in Kentucky earned a median of $28,780 a year ($13.84 an hour) in May 2025, 16% below the national median of $34,340; 6,870 were employed there, ranking #33 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 | Kentucky | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $28,780 | $34,340 |
| Mean annual wage | $34,970 | $40,790 |
| Median hourly wage | $13.84 | $16.51 |
| 10th percentile | $16,110 | $20,110 |
| 25th percentile | $17,920 | $27,400 |
| 75th percentile | $45,770 | $47,570 |
| 90th percentile | $63,140 | $73,770 |
| Employment | 6,870 | 756,390 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 3.433 | — |
| Location quotient | 0.71 | 1.00 |
Related
- Bartenders salary in Indiana (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Iowa (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Kansas (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Louisiana (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Maine (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Maryland (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Massachusetts (May 2025)
- Bartenders salary in Michigan (May 2025)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.