According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median hourly wage for bartenders was $16.51 in May 2025, including tips. That is below the median for all occupations ($24.51 an hour). Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10 percent of bartenders earned less than $9.67 an hour, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $35.47. Part-time work is common, and many bartenders work late evenings, weekends and holidays, so weekly earnings depend heavily on how many shifts you get.
Many bartenders have seasonal jobs, so their pay depends upon their availability. The BLS puts the median annual wage for bartenders at $34,340 (May 2025). Tips make up a large part of many bartenders’ income: tipped employees must earn at least the federal minimum wage, which may be paid as a combination of direct wages and tips, depending on the state, and some states and cities set a higher minimum. As long as you are willing to put in the time, you can make a decent living.
High-paying bartending jobs are harder to find. The top 10 percent of bartenders earned more than $73,770 a year in May 2025, and these jobs tend to go to experienced bartenders in busy, high-end bars, restaurants and hotels. Since these positions are highly competitive, you must work hard to get a great job. Bartending typically doesn’t require a college degree or other formal education credential.