State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Bartender Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
The median pay for Bartenders is $34,340 a year ($16.51/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 5.9% through 2034, with about 129,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
SOC 35-3011Food Preparation and Serving RelatedLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $34,340
- Projected growth
- +5.9%
- Openings a year
- 129,600
- Typical education
- No formal credential
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Banquet Bartender, Bar Captain, Bartender, Mixologist.
How much do Bartenders make?
10th percentile$20,110
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$27,400
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$34,340
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$47,570
Upper quartile
90th percentile$73,770
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $34,340 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $16.51/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $40,790 |
| People employed | 756,390 |
Versus all US occupations
At $34,340, Bartenders earn 33% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $16,640 a year.
Versus food preparation and serving related occupations
Inside the Food Preparation and Serving Related group, where the middle occupation pays $35,275, this is 3% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $73,770 or more while the bottom 10% earn $20,110, a gap of 3.7×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 1% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Hawaii pays the most at $76,490, and still leads at $69,567 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Bartenders the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 | $69,567 | 3,540 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | $61,380 | N/A | 490 |
| New York | $61,210 | $56,717 | 43,130 |
| Washington | $55,830 | $52,171 | 16,800 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | $49,062 | 5,760 |
| Maine | $48,920 | $50,407 | 3,230 |
| Virginia | $47,070 | $46,556 | 13,370 |
| Vermont | $45,450 | $46,397 | 2,080 |
| Arizona | $45,070 | $44,767 | 14,840 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 | $40,458 | 16,260 |
Is Bartender a growing career?
Bartenders5.9%
All US occupations3.1%
+5.9% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Bartenders to change 5.9% over 2024–2034, against 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 44,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 129,600 openings are projected each year, 17.1% of the 756,700 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Population and income growth are expected to result in increased demand for food, drinks, and entertainment. More bartenders will be needed to meet this demand, especially in full-service restaurants and breweries. Bartenders also will be needed in some entertainment venues as services expand.
How to become a Bartender
Bartending is not a licensed profession: there is no bartender license anywhere in the United States, and BLS says bartenders typically need no formal education credential and learn the job through a few weeks of on-the-job training. What the law does regulate is the serving of alcohol. Most states require alcohol servers to be at least 18, and many states and localities require an alcohol server permit or a responsible-server course, which is obtained from the state's alcohol regulator or an approved provider rather than from an employer.
The credential path, step by step
- Check your state and city's alcohol server rules first
This decides whether you need a permit before your first shift. Some states require one by law (Washington, Oregon and California all do), while others such as Texas only recommend certification. Cities and counties can add requirements of their own.
- Meet the minimum age to serve alcohol
BLS states that most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18. Some permit systems tier by age: Washington issues a Class 13 permit to 18 to 20 year olds and a Class 12 to those 21 and over.
- Complete the responsible-server course and any exam your state requires
These courses cover the laws on selling alcohol, responsible serving practices and conflict management. California requires training from an ABC-authorized provider followed by a passing score on the state's Alcohol Server Certification Exam within 30 days; Washington's training and exam are delivered by LCB-certified private providers who issue the permit directly.
- Train on the job under an experienced bartender
BLS describes a few weeks of on-the-job training covering cocktail recipes, bar setup, customer service and handling unruly customers. Many bartenders enter from a related role, starting as bartender helpers or moving across from serving, and progress as they learn mixing procedures and recipes.
- Keep the permit current
Renewal is a state matter. Washington's MAST permit lasts five years and is not renewable, so you retake the course, and there is no grace period once it expires. California's RBS certification lasts three years and must be renewed before expiry.
Licensing and state variation
Not a state license
No state licenses bartenders as an occupation. What varies is the alcohol server permit or training requirement, and it attaches to the act of serving alcohol rather than to the job title, so it applies equally to servers, cashiers and managers. Washington requires a Mandatory Alcohol Server Training permit by law for anyone who serves, mixes, sells or supervises the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption: a Class 12 permit for those 21 and over, a Class 13 for 18 to 20 year olds, valid five years and not renewable, with a criminal citation for working without one. Oregon requires an Alcohol Service Permit, obtained through an application, an alcohol server education class and a permit test. California has required Responsible Beverage Service training from an authorized provider plus a passing score on the ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam since 1 July 2022, taken within 30 days of training and within 60 days of a server's first date of employment, with certification valid three years. Texas, by contrast, only strongly recommends TABC seller/server certification, although many retailers hire only certified staff because of the safe harbour it can give the employer under the Alcoholic Beverage Code. Localities can impose their own requirements on top. BLS notes that most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18, and that depending on the state and locality a server, owner, manager or business may need a license to sell alcohol.
Who governs the credential
- California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (California ABC) — Runs California's Responsible Beverage Service training program and administers the Alcohol Server Certification Exam that on-premises servers and their managers must pass.
- Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) — Certifies the private providers that deliver Washington's Mandatory Alcohol Server Training and issue the Class 12 and Class 13 alcohol server permits required by state law.
- Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) — Issues Oregon's Alcohol Service Permit, which state law and administrative rule require of everyone mixing, serving or selling alcohol on a licensed on-premises location.
- Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) — Approves the seller/server schools that deliver TABC certification. TABC strongly recommends the certification rather than requiring it, and separately requires an annual opioid overdose course for sellers and servers at certain businesses such as bars and nightclubs.
Credential detail for bartenders is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Bartenders, How to Become One · checked August 23, 2026
- California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control — RBS Training Program · checked August 23, 2026
- Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board — Get an Alcohol Server Permit (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) · checked August 23, 2026
- Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission — Alcohol Service Permits · checked August 23, 2026
- Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission — TABC Certification · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Bartenders typically do not need formal education credentials to enter the occupation, although some employers require or prefer for candidates to have a high school diploma. They typically learn their skills through on-the-job training that lasts a few weeks. Some bartenders gain experience in other jobs or occupations.
Most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18 years old. Bartenders must be familiar with state and local laws concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages.
| Typical entry-level education | No formal educational credential |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Little or no preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as bartenders.
- High School Diploma43.0%
- Less than a High School Diploma37.0%
- Some College Courses16.4%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2.6%
- Bachelor's Degree1.1%
What does a Bartender do?
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff.
Day-to-day tasks
- Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
- Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
- 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.
- Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
- Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
- Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
- Slice and pit fruit for garnishing drinks.
- Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins, or straws.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Bartenders often work late evenings, on weekends, and on holidays. Part-time work is common, and schedules may vary.
Where the work happens
- Almost never works outdoors
Physical demands
- On their feet more than half the working day
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Dealing with customers or the public is very important
Pressure and stakes
- Strict deadlines are rare
- Mistakes are not usually serious
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where bartenders work
| Full-service restaurants | 41% |
|---|---|
| Drinking places (alcoholic beverages) | 24% |
| Traveler accommodation | 6% |
| Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries | 6% |
| Civic and social organizations | 5% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
- Learning Strategies2.9/5
- Writing2.8/5
Transferable skills
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.3/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Persuasion3.1/5
- Instructing3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Negotiation2.9/5
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
- Internet browser software
- Point of sale POS software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Bartender?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary4.7
Investigative1.0
Artistic2.3
Social3.7
Enterprisingprimary3.9
Conventionalprimary4.5
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Bartender: frequently asked questions
How much do Bartenders make?
Bartenders earn a median of $34,340 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 33% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $16.51/hr. The middle half earn between $27,400 and $47,570. The top 10% earn $73,770 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Bartender?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Bartenders, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 43.0% hold high school diploma.
Is Bartender a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.9% over 2024–2034, faster than the 3.1% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 129,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Bartender do?
Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff. A core O*NET task: check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Web page creation and editing software.
Which states pay Bartenders the most?
The highest state medians for Bartenders are Hawaii ($76,490), U.S. Virgin Islands ($61,380), New York ($61,210) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Bartender?
O*NET scores Bartenders highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
Do you need a license to work as a Bartender?
Not a state license. No state licenses bartenders as an occupation. What varies is the alcohol server permit or training requirement, and it attaches to the act of serving alcohol rather than to the job title, so it applies equally to servers, cashiers and managers. Washington requires a Mandatory Alcohol Server Training permit by law for anyone who serves, mixes, sells or supervises the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption: a Class 12 permit for those 21 and over, a Class 13 for 18 to 20 year olds, valid five years and not renewable, with a criminal citation for working without one. Oregon requires an Alcohol Service Permit, obtained through an application, an alcohol server education class and a permit test. California has required Responsible Beverage Service training from an authorized provider plus a passing score on the ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam since 1 July 2022, taken within 30 days of training and within 60 days of a server's first date of employment, with certification valid three years. Texas, by contrast, only strongly recommends TABC seller/server certification, although many retailers hire only certified staff because of the safe harbour it can give the employer under the Alcoholic Beverage Code. Localities can impose their own requirements on top. BLS notes that most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18, and that depending on the state and locality a server, owner, manager or business may need a license to sell alcohol.