Bartenders
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
Also called: Banquet Bartender · Bar Captain · Bartender · Mixologist
Median pay (national)
$33,530
$19,930–$71,920 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
745,610
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.9%
~129,600 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for bartenders shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $71,920 versus $19,930 at the bottom 10% — 3.6x. The median of $33,530 leaves roughly 114% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.9% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 129,600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, Hawaii pays the most for this role (median $68,820, +105% vs the national median), while South Carolina sits lowest at $18,390 — a 274% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Collect money for drinks served.
- 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.
- Slice and pit fruit for garnishing drinks.
- Arrange bottles and glasses to make attractive displays.
- Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
- Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
- Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
- Plan, organize, and control the operations of a cocktail lounge or bar.
- Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins, or straws.
Tools & technology
- AZZ CardFile
- Compris software
- Focus point of sale POS software
- Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale
- MICROS Systems HSI Profits Series
- NCR Advanced Checkout Solution
- NCR NeighborhoodPOS
- The General Store
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Outlook
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Personnel and Human Resources