What is a bartender and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
introduction image

A bartender is a hospitality professional who prepares and serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to customers. They work in bars, restaurants, hotels, and other entertainment venues. Bartenders mix drinks and interact with customers, taking orders, and offering recommendations on drink choices. They must have good communication skills, be knowledgeable about different types of alcohol, and have the ability to multitask. Bartenders are responsible for maintaining a clean and organized bar area and managing inventory.

ScoreBartenderUS Average
Salary
2.1

Avg. Salary $26,362

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.4

Growth Rate 18%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.63%

Asian 3.69%

Black or African American 5.65%

Hispanic or Latino 18.98%

Unknown 6.09%

White 64.96%

Gender

female 60.34%

male 39.66%

Age - 32
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 32
Stress Level
7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
4.1

Complexity Level is basic

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
10.0

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Bartender?

Pros

  • Cash tips

  • Develop skills in multitasking and time management

  • Fast-paced work environment

  • Chance for advancement to management positions

  • Ability to learn about spirits and expand knowledge of mixology

Cons

  • Late hours and working weekends/holidays

  • Exposure to secondhand smoke and loud music

  • Physically demanding work, including standing for long periods of time

  • Risk of injury from handling glassware and working with alcohol

  • Limited opportunities for benefits or job security

Bartender career paths

Key steps to become a bartender

  1. Explore bartender education requirements

    Most common bartender degrees

    Bachelor's

    44.5 %

    High School Diploma

    22.4 %

    Associate

    21.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific bartender skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Wine23.43%
    Bartending10.47%
    Exceptional Guest6.63%
    Cleanliness5.77%
    Non-Alcoholic Beverages5.20%
  3. Complete relevant bartender training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New bartenders learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a bartender based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real bartender resumes.
  4. Gain additional bartender certifications

    Bartender certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific bartender certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for bartenders include Hospitality Skill Certification for Bartender and OSHA Safety Certificate .

    More About Certifications
  5. Research bartender duties and responsibilities

    • Train and manage all new bartenders achieving significant results in their productivity and knowledge.
    • Manage bar and staff, tend bar, DJ and operate karaoke equipment.
    • Manage and promote company Facebook account.
    • Provide seamless beverage service, managing inventory and operating POS terminal.
  6. Prepare your bartender resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your bartender resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a bartender resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Bartender Resume templates

    Build a professional Bartender resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Bartender resume.
    Bartender Resume
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  7. Apply for bartender jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a bartender job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Bartender Job

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Average bartender salary

The average Bartender salary in the United States is $26,362 per year or $13 per hour. Bartender salaries range between $16,000 and $43,000 per year.

Average Bartender Salary
$26,362 Yearly
$12.67 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do bartenders rate their job?

4.67/5

Based On 3 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Bartender reviews

profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Connecting with customers/regulars, building a foundation and not only making money for myself, but my bar. Making sure everyone has an amazing time while I’m on the clock!

Cons

Bad management


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Pros

Meeting new people. Each day is a new experience.

Cons

Some people are not very nice, they can be condescending and speak to you as though bartending is not a legitimate job choice.


profile
4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Always loved working with people in the bar atmosphere I'm just looking for something different now

Cons

Sometimes things got out of hand when working at a bar and you needed hope


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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