Bartender Pay: How Much Bartenders Make, How Tips Work and How to Earn More

How much does a bartender make? The honest answer is “it depends”: on where you work, how busy the bar is, which shifts you get and how much your guests tip. But there are solid national figures to start from, and some clear patterns in what pushes pay up or down.

Here’s what the latest government data says, how tips work, and practical ways bartenders earn more. Bartending means serving alcohol, so it’s adult work: most states let workers serve alcohol at 18, but every guest you serve must be 21 or over.

What the latest numbers say

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports these figures for bartenders as of May 2025. They include tips:

• Median hourly wage: $16.51. Half of bartenders earned more and half earned less.
• Median annual wage: $34,340.
• Lowest 10 percent: less than $9.67 an hour.
• Highest 10 percent: more than $35.47 an hour.

For comparison, the BLS puts the median hourly wage for all occupations at $24.51. Keep in mind that annual figures can understate what a full-time bartender at a busy bar earns, because part-time work is common in the job.

Pay by type of employer

The BLS also breaks out median hourly wages, tips included, for the industries that employ the most bartenders:

• Traveler accommodation (hotels): $17.57
• Full-service restaurants: $17.07
• Drinking places (bars): $16.01
• Amusement, gambling and recreation: $15.05
• Civic and social organizations: $13.65

These are medians, so plenty of bartenders in each setting earn more or less. A busy hotel bar or restaurant with a strong cocktail program can pay very differently from a quiet neighborhood spot.

How tips work

Tips make up a large share of many bartenders’ income. Under federal rules, tipped employees must earn at least the federal minimum wage, which can be paid as a combination of a direct cash wage and tips, depending on the state. The U.S. Department of Labor keeps a state-by-state list of minimum wages for tipped employees, and some cities set higher minimums than their states.

In practice, that means two bartenders with the same hourly wage can take home very different amounts depending on the bar’s volume, its prices, the crowd and whether tips are pooled with barbacks and servers. When you’re comparing jobs, ask how tips are handled and what a typical shift looks like, not just the hourly rate.

What drives bartender pay up or down

• Location. Wages and tipping customs vary by state and city. The BLS offers state and metro area wage data through its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
• Type of venue. Hotels, high-volume restaurants and cocktail bars often differ in base pay and tips.
• Shifts. The BLS notes that bartenders often work late evenings, weekends and holidays. The busiest shifts usually bring the most tips, and they tend to go to experienced staff.
• Skill and speed. A bartender who can make good drinks quickly serves more guests per hour.
• Hours. Part-time schedules are common, so weekly earnings depend heavily on how many shifts you get.

Job outlook

The BLS projects employment of bartenders to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 121,200 openings a year on average. Many of those openings come from people leaving the job or changing careers, which is one reason bars are often hiring.

How bartenders earn more

Get in the door, then move up

The BLS notes that bartenders typically don’t need a formal education credential and usually learn on the job, and that some start as bartender helpers or in other food service jobs. Our guide to becoming a bartender without experience covers the first steps.

Take a responsible-server course

Many states and localities require one, and having it done makes you easier to hire. See our guide to getting a bartending license for what to look for, and our post on online bartending courses if you want to learn the basics first.

Get faster and more consistent

Measured, consistent pours keep owners happy and guests coming back. Our guide to pour counts explains how to build speed without sacrificing accuracy.

Sell yourself well

A strong resume helps you move from a slow bar to a busier one. Our tips on highlighting your bartending resume skills show what managers look for.

Take care of the regulars

Remembering names and favorite drinks, keeping the bar clean and handling difficult moments calmly are what turn first-time guests into regulars, and regulars into steady tips. Guests notice when a bartender treats a zero-proof order with the same care as a cocktail, too.

Our picks

A real bartender’s story

Twenty Years Behind Bars by Jeff Burkhart is a working bartender’s take on the job, its guests and its drinks. It’s a good read before you decide whether the career is for you.

Learn the craft properly

The Joy of Mixology (Revised and Updated) by Gary Regan is the updated edition of his 2003 book, with recipes and background on how drinks are built. Knowing why a drink works is part of what makes a bartender worth more.

Thank the bartenders you know

If you’re on the other side of the bar, the Holiday Appreciation Greeting Cards for Bar Servers and Bartenders (Set of 24) are designed to go with an end-of-year tip. Each set includes 24 folded cards with white envelopes.

FAQ

Do bartender wage figures include tips?

Yes. The BLS notes that its bartender wage data include tips.

Do bartenders need a degree?

No. The BLS says bartenders typically don’t need a formal education credential and usually learn their skills on the job.

Is bartending a full-time job?

It can be, but the BLS notes that part-time work is common and schedules vary, so many bartenders combine shifts at more than one venue.

Where can I find pay for my city?

The BLS publishes state and metro area wage estimates through its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, linked from the bartender page cited above.

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