What Bartenders do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Bartenders this way: "Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Collect money for drinks served"; "Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol"; "Balance cash receipts"; "Attempt to limit problems and liability related to customers' excessive drinking by taking steps such as persuading customers to stop drinking, or ordering taxis or other transportation for intoxicated patrons"; "Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Bartenders
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 762,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 800,500 in 2035, an increase of 37,900 jobs (+5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 121,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 15.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $34,340, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Bartenders earn the most
Across the 23 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $22,850 in Texas to $56,321 in New York, a gap of $33,471 (2.46 times). 14 of those 23 states average above the BLS national median of $34,340 and 9 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 70,970, which is 9.3% of the 766,660 counted across them. Texas follows with 58,210.
Highest-paying states
New York ($56,321), New Jersey ($52,968) and Washington ($52,463) lead the ranking, while Texas ($22,850) and Georgia ($23,206) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Bartenders: pay against the cost of living
We compare 31 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $19,515. The weakest market is Los Angeles County, CA, where the basics cost $8,207 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 20 of the 31 markets and falls short in 11. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 32.1% and 96.1% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Bartenders
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (35-3000) include Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, Waiters and Waitresses and Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Bartenders
What is the national median wage for Bartenders?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $34,340. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $22,850 to $56,321.
Which state pays Bartenders the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $56,321. New Jersey is next at $52,968.
What is the job outlook for Bartenders?
BLS projects employment to grow by 5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 121,200 openings a year.
What education do Bartenders need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Bartenders afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $19,515 on a median wage of $48,030.