How Much Do Bartenders Make? Bartender Salary [QUICK GUIDE]

A bar requires a lot of effort to run. That’s why employers need a bartender that is solely focused on taking customer orders and keeping track of the other front-end employees.

There’s a lot involved in being a bartender, from pouring beer and wine to cash handling and menu creation. So, is the money worth it? Are the tips really that big?

Read on to figure out what the typical bartender salary is in a bartending job description with and without tips. Then, we’ll look at how it varies across states and some of the world’s biggest cities!

What Is The Average Bartender Salary?

Without tips, the average wage for a bartender is $26,094. We took the average bartender salary from five of the top nationwide employment websites to ensure the most up-to-date figure.

The pay of a bartender is determined by a variety of factors, including prior bartending experience, region, and company size. In California, for example, the typical bartender wage is around $30,400 per year in 2021. In Illinois, the average annual salary is close to $27,000 in 2021. Living costs also have an impact on salaries.

Here are some of the data gathered from top employment sites about bartender salaries:

How Much Do Bartenders Make A Year?

Bartenders earn an average of $26,094 per year without tips. This figure will vary depending on a variety of factors, including locations, bar themes, your specific responsibilities, whether you have a bartending license, and more.

MUST-READ: How to get a bartender license

How Much Do Bartenders Make An Hour: Bartender Hourly Wage

Bartending is a profitable side business for which many people devote considerable time and effort. The average bartender makes about $12.55 per hour, with no tips factored in. This figure reflects a national average and may vary depending on location, state, city, and bar size when compared to the yearly figures combined with the fact that bartender responsibilities take up more than just pouring drinks.

With tips included, a bartender may expect to make around $250 per night on average. This amount might differ significantly depending on a variety of criteria. You could earn even more money in tips and make the other bartenders or barbacks jealous if you’re good at your job and can serve the drinks every bartender should know.

How Much Do Bartenders Make In Tips: Bartender Salary With Tips

Bartender thinking about salary

The average wage of a bartender who receives tips is $65,094. Let’s look at the same data again, but with tips included.

So if a bartender makes $26,094, and they get as much as $150 tips daily, they can earn as much as $64,094 in salaries.

As you can see, tips make a significant difference for bartenders, and they significantly boost their annual take-home. They have a lot of pressure to keep the beverages coming. If you have a sommelier certificate, cicerone certification, or any other relevant accreditation, this number may be higher.

RECOMMENDED: How Much Should You Tip A Bartender?

Do Bartenders Make Good Money?

Yes, bartenders do make a decent living, especially if tips are included. The typical pay in the United States in 2019 was $31,100. Despite the fact that the median bartender income is $5,000 higher than it was ten years ago, it does not include tips. With tips, you may earn more than $60,000 each year.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that becoming a bartender requires a lot of hard work and dedication. It is not always an easy job, and there are many late nights and early mornings involved. You will also be on your feet for long periods of time, so you need to be physically fit and have good stamina.

Where Can Bartenders Make the Most Money?

Of all the countries on our list, being a bartender in the United States appears to be the finest. How much money do bartenders make in the United States? Not only can they earn more than anyplace else, but bartending as a career is gradually becoming recognized as a genuine career path!

The main benefit of being an American bartender, however, is the money that you may make. The United States has a FANTASTIC tipping culture, and those who reside here make the bulk of their bartender income in tips.

This tipping culture means that a bartender’s pay varies considerably depending on one’s location, the establishment they work for, their shifts, and how talented of a bartender they are. Because of this, it’s impossible to know exactly how much money an individual bartender makes.

According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), a bartender’s typical hourly wage is about $13.90 ($28,910 per year) and the top earners make $22.93 an hour ($47,690 per year) as of 2020.

But these numbers might not really be as accurate. Some bartenders are making more than $100,000 per year! Apparently, the BLS has no idea how to properly calculate bartender salaries because they don’t take tips into account. Additionally, there are some that do not “declare” everything that they earn.

Tips are a very important part of a bartender’s salary, and it would be unrealistic to expect a bartender to make a living off of their hourly wage alone. In fact, many bartenders depend on their nightly tips to make ends meet.

How much do bartenders make state to state, city to city in the United States?

The salary of a bartender varies from state to state, city to city, venue to venue, and shift to shift. It also depends on how excellent a bartender you are.

The more skilled and experienced you are, the more money you’ll make because you’ll be able to serve more customers (i.e. work faster) and provide better service to those customers. This naturally leads to increased tips.

As a novice, it may be difficult to gather a lot of advice until you’ve gained some competence and confidence. As far as state to state and city to city goes, in general, the bigger and more affluent the city/area you work in, the more money you’ll make since there will be more people to serve and they will have extra

Let us take a look at some of the average bartender salaries in US States and Cities.

What Are The Average Salaries for Bartender In New York City?

The typical bartender’s income in New York City is $32,000 per year, plus $200 in gratuities each day. The New York City area has seen strong employment expansion in recent years, and it is frequently twice the rate of the national average. Seasonally, they also have a large inflow of visitors, causing many bars to experience a consistent need for bartenders.

What Is The Average Pay For A Bartender In Las Vegas?

The typical bartender’s pay in Las Vegas is $26,150 per year plus $170 in tips each day. With a high rate of alcohol and food consumption throughout the year, the Las Vegas market is a year-round tourist destination. Bars, nevertheless, must employ different restaurant marketing techniques to attract consumers and assist you to increase your gratuities.

How Much Are Bartenders Paid in California?

The typical bartender wage in California is $30,400 per year, with an additional $175 in tips each day. Because California is so vast and features numerous major cities, this statistic can vary greatly from one end of the state to the other. Do your homework and choose a region where you’d feel at ease living while earning enough money to be comfortable.

What is the Bartender Salary in Florida?

The typical bartender’s salary in Florida is $28,080 per year with an extra $160 in tips each day. With a large number of retirees living in the state, as well as many young people who are looking for a party atmosphere, Florida bartenders have a pretty good chance of finding work.

How much do bartenders in Los Angeles make?

The typical bartender’s salary in Los Angeles is $34,000 per year, which includes an extra $200 in tips each day. L.A. is one of the most lucrative cities for bartenders in the country, with both pay and gratuity. However, because L.A.’s cost of living is higher, be sure to consider your overall earnings and quality of life when deciding whether or not to take a bartending job in the city.

How Much Do Bartenders Make In Texas?

The typical bartender wage in Texas is $28,000 per year, plus an extra $150 in tips each day. Texas’ bar and hospitality sector is also expanding thanks to the expansion of major cities like Dallas and Austin. As a result, the average bartender’s salary is improving.

How Much Are Bartenders Paid In Miami?

The average bartender’s salary in Miami is $24,000 a year, plus an additional $200 in tips each day. Surprisingly, bartenders in Miami make less than the state as a whole. Tips are still generous, therefore there’s a lot of potential working in the city.

How Much Do Bartenders Make In San Antonio?

The average bartender’s pay in San Antonio is $26,000 per year, with daily addition of $200 in gratuities. San Antonio’s income levels are trailing those of Dallas and Austin, so salaries are lower. Tips, on the other hand, are still generous, so San Antonio remains an excellent location for bartenders.

What Is The Average Bartender Salary In San Diego?

In San Diego, the average bartender’s salary is $31,000 per year with an extra $200 in tips each day. Although San Diego’s pay is somewhat lower than the rest of L.A., it is still higher than many cities and the tips are also substantial. It’s an excellent option for a bartender in California.

How Much Money Do Bartenders Make in Atlanta?

The typical bartender wage in Atlanta is $27,000 per year, with an additional $250 in tips each day. While Atlanta’s pay falls behind other major cities, it does have some of the highest tipping rates in the business.

What Are the Average Salaries of Bartenders in Virginia?

The average bartender wage in Virginia is $27,000 per year, plus $150 in gratuities each day. Bartenders in Virginia enjoy a middle-range income, although they receive less than the national average daily tip amount.

How Much Do Bartenders in Arizona Make?

In Arizona, the typical bartender’s income is $24,000 per year, including an extra $150 in tips every day. Bartenders in Arizona earn less than those in nearby states both in terms of pay and tips. This isn’t always true, however, in Phoenix and other larger cities.

How Much Do Bartenders Make in Chicago?

The typical bartender wage in Chicago is $29,000 per year, plus an additional $200 in tips each day. Bartenders in Chicago make considerably more money and have a larger tip pool than those in many other large cities. However, since the city goes through more seasons than others, you may need to rely on a good menu with spring cocktails and other drinks to make ends meet during the slower months.

How Much Are Bartenders Paid In San Francisco?

The typical bartender wage in San Francisco is $36,000 per year, with a daily tip allowance of $200. Bartenders in San Francisco make more than bartenders in L.A., despite comparable tips. The city, on the other hand, has a very high cost of living.

How Much Money Do Bartenders Make In Seattle?

In Seattle, a bartender makes an average of $36,000 plus another $200 in tips each day. Similar to San Francisco, Seattle has a comparable salary and tip range, but with a lower cost of living than San Francisco. This makes it ideal for both seasoned and inexperienced bartenders alike.

What Is The Average Bartender Salary in Colorado?

The median bartender pay in Colorado is $25,000 per year, with an additional $175 in gratuities each day. Although bartenders in Colorado have a mid-range salary, their tips are higher on average.

How Much Are Bartenders Paid in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, the typical bartender’s income is $28,000 per year, with a daily tip amount of $200. Hawaii has a higher average salary than many other states as well as bigger tips. Seasonality does have an influence on the tourism industry in that many visitors arrive during the summer and winter seasons.

How Much Do Bartenders Make In Maryland?

The median bartender pay in Maryland is $32,000 per year, plus an additional $200 in gratuities every day. Bartenders in Maryland earn more than in many other states and receive higher tips. With heavy foot traffic and tourism, Baltimore is a great location.

How Much Do Bartenders Make in Oklahoma?

The typical bartender wage in Oklahoma is $21,000 per year, with an average of $150 in tips each day. Oklahoma’s average pay and daily gratuities are lower than those found in most other states. This is due to a lack of visitors as well as the fact that living costs are cheaper.

How Much Are Bartenders Paid In Pittsburgh?

In Pittsburgh, the typical bartender wage is $32,000 per year, plus an extra $160 in cash tips each day. In comparison to other cities, bartenders in Pittsburgh earn a higher wage but receive modest tips.

How Much Are Bartenders Paid In Tampa?

The typical bartender wage in Tampa is $27,000 per year plus an additional $180 in daily gratuities. The income of bartenders in Tampa is greater than that of bartenders in Miami, although their tips are less.

How Much Are Bartenders Paid In Utah?

In Utah, the average bartender’s salary is $29,000 per year, with an additional $180 in tips each day. The pay offered to bartenders in Utah is in the middle range, although the gratuities are comparable to or better than many higher-paying states.

What Is The Average Bartender’s Salary In Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, the typical bartender wage is $23,000 per year, with an additional $100 in tips each day. The pay in Wisconsin is one of the lowest in the country, and the tips are also much less. This may be due to the region’s proximity to Milwaukee and its seasonal nature.

Average Bartender Salaries Around the World

bartender thinking about the salary of bartender around the world

Now that we know the average salaries and the range of tips gathered by bartenders working in US states and cities, let us also explore the salaries of bartenders in some other countries around the world.

What is the Average Salary of Bartenders in Russia?

In Russian Federation, the average bartender’s salary is 344 162 rubles (equivalent hourly rate of 165 rubles), according to our Salary Expert. They also get an above-average bonus of 18 998 rubles. According to data from salary surveys collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Russia, a beginning-level bartender (with 1-3 years of experience) will earn an average total compensation of approximately 320 000 rubles. This includes a base salary of 274 000 rubles and an above-average bonus of 18 998 rubles.

Russia has some of the top paid bartenders, namely Olya Sabanina who won the Roadhouse World Tandem, and Alexander Shtifanov.

What is the Average Bartender Salary in Australia?

In Australia, bartending salaries vary somewhat by state and territory. Bartenders are typically paid anywhere from $18 to $20 an hour ($15.15 to $16.85 US), although there are minimum Saturday and Sunday wages in Australia. On Saturdays, bartender pay rises about a dollar per hour more than it does on weekdays. Sundays are a bit higher than that. In addition, bartenders in Australia are often given a “penalty rate” of 1.5 times their hourly wage for working after 10 pm.

How Much Do Bartenders Make in Melbourne?

The average bartender’s salary in Melbourne is $21.64 an hour ($17.65 US), plus an extra $2.50 an hour on Saturday nights and $3.00 an hour on Sundays (“penalty rates”). Bartenders in Melbourne also receive tips, which typically range from $5 to $10 per shift.

How Much Do Bartenders Make in Sydney?

Bartenders in Sydney make an average of $19 per hour ($15.38 US), plus a “penalty rate” of $3 per hour on Saturday nights and $3.50 per hour on Sundays. They also receive tips, which typically range from $5 to $10 per shift.

What is the Average Salary for Bartenders in Canada?

In Canada, bartenders make an average of $12.50 per hour ($10.13 US), plus tips. Tips typically range from $1 to $5 per shift. Bartenders in Canada also receive a “service charge” of 15% on the total bill, which is shared among all employees who provided service (including bartenders, waitstaff, and bussers).

How much do Bartenders Make in South Korea?

The average salary for bartenders in South Korea is 1,539,734 won per month ($1,330 US), plus tips. Tips typically range from 5,000 to 10,000 won ($4.35 to $8.70 US) per shift. Bartenders in South Korea also receive a “service charge” of 10% on the total bill, which is shared among all employees who provided service.

What is the Average Salary for Bartenders in Singapore?

The typical bartender wage in Singapore is $28,733 per year or about $14 per hour. They also receive an average bonus of $1,586. The average salary for a bartender with 0 to 3 years of experience is $22,594. In contrast, a senior-level bartender (8 or more years of experience) earns an average salary of $37,968.

How Much Do Bartenders Make in Japan?

In Japan, bartenders make an average of ¥3,690 per hour ($33 US), plus tips. Tips typically range from ¥500 to ¥1,000 ($4.50 to $9 US) per shift. Bartenders in Japan also receive a “service charge” of 10% on the total bill, which is shared among all employees who provided service.

How Much Do Bartenders Make in London?

The median annual salary for a Bartender in the London Area is £19,573. In the London Area, the typical additional cash compensation for a Bartender is £34,396, ranging from £1,404 to £842,819. Salaries estimates are based on 482 salaries supplied anonymously to Glassdoor by employees working as a Bartender.

How Much Do Bartenders Make in Dublin?

The average salary for a bartender in Dublin is €11.39 per hour, plus tips. Tips typically range from €1 to €5 per shift. Bartenders in Dublin also receive a “service charge” of 10% on the total bill, which is shared among all employees who provided service.

How Much Do Bartenders Make in Dubai?

The typical bartender’s salary in the UAE is AED 2,000. Salaries may be anywhere from AED 3,700 to AED 65,000. Add in additional income and benefits, and Bartender in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Area can anticipate an average total compensation of around AED 11,600 when all factors are considered.

What is the Average Salary of Bartenders in India?

The typical bartender’s salary in India is Rs 2,06,699, or an equivalent hourly rate of Rs 99. They also earn an average bonus of ₹11,410. Salary figures are based on data from a national employment survey conducted directly by employers and anonymous employees in India.

What are the wage rates in Germany for bartenders?

A bartender’s starting salary ranges from 11.118 to 13.080 euros, with a maximum range of 29.960 to 34.454 euros. The average hourly pay for a Bartender is 10,56 euros.

What are the wage rates in Greece for bartenders?

The average bartender wage in Greece is €12.746 per day, or €6 per hour. In addition, they get an average bonus of €704. Salary projections are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous workers in Greece.

What are the Average Salary Rates for Bartenders in Malta?

The average bartender’s salary in Malta is €11,952 per year, or €6 per hour. They also receive an average bonus of €660. Based on publicly available salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Malta, we calculated earnings estimates.

How much do bartenders make in Colombia?

Colombia’s average monthly salary for a Bartender is approximately $1,730,000 COP. Salaries range from 935,000 COP (lowest) to 2,610,000 COP (highest). This is the typical monthly pay including housing and transportation costs.

What is the Average Salary of a Mexican Bartender?

In Mexico, the typical bartender’s income is $101,362 per year or about $49 per hour. They also get an average perk of $5,595. According to data from Mexican employers and anonymous workers collected directly via interviews, salaries in Mexico are around $101,362 per year (before taxes).

What is the Average Salary of Bartender in Brazil?

In Brazil, the average salary of a bartender is R$2.130,00 per month (US$ 561,58), according to Salary Expert. The minimum wage in Brazil is R$1.045,00 (US$ 276,92) per month. However, most bartenders earn tips, which can increase their earnings significantly.

How Much are Bartenders Paid in South Africa?

In South Africa, the average bartender’s salary is R108,155 per year or R52 per hour. They also earn an average of R5,970 in bonuses. Based on salary survey data provided directly by employers and anonymous workers in South Africa, this is the typical pay for a bartender.

What is the Average Salary for Bartenders in New Zealand?

The typical bartender’s income in New Zealand is $41,599 yearly or $20 per hour. In addition, they receive an average bonus of $2,296. Salary data from a national salary survey obtained directly from employers and anonymous workers in New Zealand was used to calculate these numbers.

Conclusion

As you can see, bartenders make a decent wage all around the world. In most cases, they also receive tips that can increase their earnings significantly. The average bartender’s salary is a good wage, especially when you consider that many bartenders only work part-time hours. If you’re considering a career as a bartender, know that you can expect to make a decent wage and tips!

Bartending might be a very lucrative career if you have the necessary talents and knowledge, as well as a market to supply. Make sure your bartender resume and bartender cover letter emphasize your experience and understanding, so you can get in for a bartender interview and begin making that money.

Cheers!

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