Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of bartenders that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of bartenders:
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Head Bartender is the highest-paid type of bartender with an average salary of $89,366 and an average hourly rate of $42.96.
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The second highest-paying type of bartender is bartender manager, with an average salary of $38,561.
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The average bartender salary is $26,362 per year, and the average hourly pay is $12.67.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a bartender, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of bartenders are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of bartenders:
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Head Bartender
Average Salary: $89,366
A head bartender is responsible for monitoring bar operations, assisting the bar staff, and ensuring the highest customer satisfaction by addressing the guests’ needs and concerns. Head bartenders usually mix drinks, requiring them to have excellent knowledge of the drink mixing industry, experimenting on the menu, and researching current bar drinks to attract and meet guests’ demands. The ultimate goal is to generate more revenues and bar patrons. They also monitor stock inventories, coordinate with the manager to request for supplies, and perform administrative duties as needed.
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Bartender Manager
Average Salary: $38,561
Bartender managers are responsible for monitoring the bar’s overall operations, ensuring the staff’s efficiency in responding to the guests’ requests to achieve their highest satisfaction and recommendation. A bartender manager assists with the recruitment and training of new staff and develops effective marketing techniques to boost the bar’s image and attract potential customers. Bartender managers also enforce strict sanitary procedures and safety regulations for everyone’s compliance to promote a safe environment within the premises.
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Lead Bartender
Average Salary: $34,197
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Caterer/Server
Average Salary: $33,737
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Tender
Average Salary: $33,595
Below is a full table of the average pay for various bartender that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Bartenders
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Head Bartender | |
| 2 | Bartender Manager | |
| 3 | Lead Bartender | |
| 4 | Caterer/Server | |
| 5 | Tender | |
| 6 | Drink Mixer | |
| 7 | Bartender Server | |
| 8 | Barkeep | |
| 9 | Banquet Bartender | |
| 10 | Beverage Server | |
| 11 | Bar Back | |
| 12 | Mixologist | |
| 13 | Bar Manager/Bartender | |
| 14 | Bartender/Certified Trainer | |
| 15 | Bar Back & Bartender | |
| 16 | Bartender Extra |
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for bartenders.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Bartender Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid bartender job?
The highest-paid bartender job is a head bartender. Head Bartenders earn an average salary of $89,366, which is $ 42.96 hourly.
A head bartender is responsible for monitoring bar operations, assisting the bar staff, and ensuring the highest customer satisfaction by addressing the guests’ needs and concerns. Head bartenders usually mix drinks, requiring them to have excellent knowledge of the drink mixing industry, experimenting on the menu, and researching current bar drinks to attract and meet guests’ demands. The ultimate goal is to generate more revenues and bar patrons. They also monitor stock inventories, coordinate with the manager to request for supplies, and perform administrative duties as needed.
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What is a good salary for a bartender?
A good salary for a bartender is $26,362 or more. The average bartender salary is $26,362, so those making at least $26,362 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average bartender salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a bartender, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $26,362 average, as this includes all bartenders of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Bartender jobs pay well?
No, bartender jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some bartender jobs pay better than others, but the average bartender salary of $26,362 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many bartender jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of bartenders earning $0 a year on average.
Bartenders’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a bartender. Do your research on the going rate for a bartender in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do bartenders get paid the most?
Bartenders get paid the most in New Jersey. In New Jersey, bartenders earn an average annual salary of $33,311 and an average hourly wage of $16.01.
Following NJ, the states with the highest-paid bartenders are Arizona, Hawaii, and California, with average annual salaries of $28,184, $36,832, and $32,228 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid bartender salaries are:
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Seattle, WA – $32,743
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Los Angeles, CA – $32,246
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New York, NY – $31,869
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
