Bartenders

Earnings for this occupation cover a broad range and are influenced by such factors as the bartender's experience, his or her ability to deal with the public, and even where he or she works. In August 2019, Salary.com reported the average salary for bartenders was $21,349. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that full-time bartenders had median hourly wages of $12.88 in May 2018. A person working 40 hours a week at this pay rate would earn approximately $22,550 annually. The lowest paid 10 percent of full-time bartenders earned less than $8.47 per hour (less than $17,610 annually), and the highest paid 10 percent made more than $20.30 per hour (more than $42,230 annually). Bartenders who were employed in restaurants had mean annual earnings of $27,940, while those employed in traveler accommodation (hotels, bar service in trains, etc.) earned $30,560. These earning figures do not include tips. With tips, bartenders' yearly incomes may increase by thousands of dollars, depending on factors such as the bartender's personality and service he or she gives, the establishment's location, and the size of the bar.