How much does a bartender make? Bartender salary and hourly pay
A bartender in the US earns a median of $34,340 a year, about $16.51 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $20,110 and the top 10% earn over $73,770. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, Hawaii, has a median of $76,490.
Bartender pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does a bartender make an hour?
The median bartender earns $16.51 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $9.67 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35.47 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $20,110 | $9.67 |
| Lower 25% | $27,400 | $13.17 |
| Median (typical) | $34,340 | $16.51 |
| Upper 25% | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| Top 10% | $73,770 | $35.47 |
Bartender salary by state
Median annual pay for bartenders in every state, from BLS May 2025 data.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| Alaska | $30,460 | $14.64 |
| Arizona | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Arkansas | $25,090 | $12.06 |
| California | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| Colorado | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Connecticut | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Delaware | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | $25.92 |
| Florida | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Georgia | $22,830 | $10.98 |
| Hawaii | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| Idaho | $27,240 | $13.10 |
| Illinois | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Indiana | $22,770 | $10.95 |
| Iowa | $21,720 | $10.44 |
| Kansas | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Kentucky | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| Louisiana | $20,850 | $10.02 |
| Maine | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Maryland | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Michigan | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Minnesota | $26,900 | $12.93 |
| Mississippi | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Missouri | $30,090 | $14.47 |
| Montana | $26,010 | $12.50 |
| Nebraska | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| Nevada | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| New Hampshire | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| New Mexico | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| New York | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| North Carolina | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| North Dakota | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Ohio | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| Oklahoma | $24,790 | $11.92 |
| Oregon | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Rhode Island | $36,410 | $17.50 |
| South Carolina | $19,370 | $9.31 |
| South Dakota | $29,400 | $14.13 |
| Tennessee | $27,480 | $13.21 |
| Texas | $22,690 | $10.91 |
| Utah | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Vermont | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Virginia | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| Washington | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| West Virginia | $29,630 | $14.25 |
| Wisconsin | $23,460 | $11.28 |
| Wyoming | $22,030 | $10.59 |
Highest-paying states for bartenders
- Hawaii: $76,490 median
- New York: $61,210 median
- Washington: $55,830 median
- District of Columbia: $53,920 median
- Maine: $48,920 median
The lowest medians are in South Carolina ($19,370), Louisiana ($20,850), Iowa ($21,720), Wyoming ($22,030), Texas ($22,690). The most bartender jobs are in California (71,470 jobs), Texas (59,000 jobs), Florida (55,170 jobs), New York (43,130 jobs), Illinois (43,010 jobs).
How much does a bartender make a month?
At the median salary of $34,340, a bartender earns about $2,862 a month, $1,321 every two weeks or $660 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced bartender pay
New bartenders typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $20,110 a year and the lowest 25% under $27,400. The top 25% earn over $47,570 and the top 10% over $73,770. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
Bartender salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Bartender | $34,340 |
| Cosmetologist | $35,790 |
| Barber | $38,210 |
| Massage therapist | $58,450 |
| Personal trainer | $47,160 |
Common questions
How much does a bartender make?
The US median is $34,340 a year ($16.51 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does a bartender make an hour?
The median is about $16.51 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $9.67 and the top 10% about $35.47 an hour.
Which state pays bartenders the most?
Hawaii has the highest median at $76,490, followed by New York ($61,210) and Washington ($55,830).
How much does a bartender make a month?
At the US median of $34,340 a year, about $2,862 a month or $1,321 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level bartender make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $20,110 a year and the lowest 25% under $27,400, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of bartenders make?
The top 10% earn over $73,770 a year; the top 25% earn over $47,570.
How much does a bartender make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $36,220 in California, $22,690 in Texas, $35,150 in Florida, $61,210 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 35-3011, “Bartenders”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.