Bartenders
SOC code 35-3011 · O*NET-SOC 35-3011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Food service and hospitality
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth and numerous job openings for this occupation
Bartenders mix and serve drinks, run the bar till and manage the room around the bar. Most learn on the job or through short courses, and tips mean the venue drives earnings far more than any credential. Busy urban bars and restaurants routinely pay several times the base wage.
Bartenders pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$34,340
a year
Hourly
$16.51
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$40,790
$19.61 per hour
Middle 50%
$27,400 – $47,570
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$20,110 – $73,770
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
756,390
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $20,110
- $9.67/hr
- 25th percentile
- $27,400
- $13.17/hr
- Median percentile
- $34,340
- $16.51/hr
- 75th percentile
- $47,570
- $22.87/hr
- 90th percentile
- $73,770
- $35.47/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+6%
Growing faster than average
756,700
jobs in 2024
801,500
projected for 2034
About 44,800 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a bartender do?
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
- Collect money for drinks served.
- Balance cash receipts.
- 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.
How to become a bartender
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 43% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)43%
- Less than a High School Diploma37%
- Some College Courses16%
- Post-Secondary Certificate3%
Common questions
How much does a bartender earn?
The national median is $34,340 a year. The full range runs from $20,110 at the 10th percentile to $73,770 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a bartender without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is bartender in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 6% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
- Sales and Marketing3.1/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Public Safety and Security3.0/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- Personnel and Human Resources2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Persuasion.