Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Bartending offers a people-focused career with significant hiring activity and clear entry paths. Nationally, there are about 757,000 bartender jobs, and employers are expected to add positions with a projected 5.9% employment growth. Around 130,000 openings are expected each year, reflecting both new jobs and turnover. The national median annual salary is $33,530, with some states and metro areas offering higher pay. No formal educational credential is typically required, so this role can be accessible for career starters and career changers alike. Success in bartending relies heavily on customer service, interpersonal strengths, speaking and listening, and adaptability, along with physical strength, stamina, and fine motor skills. Creativity and innovation, basic mathematics, project management, and leadership can support advancement into higher-responsibility roles or busier venues. For those who enjoy working directly with people and developing practical service skills, bartending can be a viable, active career with numerous openings across the country.
Bartenders earn a national median annual salary of $33,530, but pay varies meaningfully by location. Among the highlighted states, New York stands out with a median salary of $61,210, and Washington also shows relatively high pay at $55,830. California, Massachusetts, and Colorado offer median salaries of $36,220, $37,440, and $38,170 respectively, all above the national median. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area has a median salary of $61,220, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria offers $48,030 and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara provides $42,270. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Boston-Cambridge-Newton show median salaries of $39,670 and $37,760. These differences suggest that relocating to certain states or metro areas can significantly affect earning potential. As bartenders build customer service expertise, interpersonal skills, and leadership capabilities, they may be better positioned to pursue roles in higher-paying locations or establishments.
Bartending shows an active labor market with both current employment and future demand. National employment is about 757,000, indicating a large existing workforce. Looking ahead, projected employment growth is 5.9%, pointing to expanding opportunities over time. In addition, there are an estimated 130,000 annual openings, which reflects a mix of new positions and replacement needs as people change jobs or leave the occupation. This combination of a sizable employment base, positive growth, and many annual openings can create ongoing entry points for new workers and room for movement for those already in the field. Because no formal educational credential is typically required, individuals can respond relatively quickly to these openings by focusing on the most important skills, such as customer service, interpersonal communication, adaptability, and physical stamina. Overall, the numbers suggest that people considering bartending are likely to encounter consistent hiring activity across different regions.
Location choices can strongly influence opportunity and pay for bartenders. Among states, California has the highest employment level listed, with 71,470 jobs and a median salary of $36,220, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York combines a median salary of $61,210 with employment of 43,130 and an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts, Colorado, and Washington offer median salaries of $37,440, $38,170, and $55,830, with opportunity scores of 65.87, 56.97, and 56.29 respectively. All listed states share the same projected growth rate of 5.9%. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara leads with an opportunity score of 77.42, a median salary of $42,270, and employment of 2,790. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro closely follows with a 77.27 opportunity score, $61,220 median salary, and 38,510 jobs. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also present strong combinations of employment, salary, and opportunity scores, giving bartenders multiple high-potential regions to consider.
Bartending typically does not require any formal educational credential, making it accessible to people entering the workforce or changing careers. Without a formal education barrier, employers can focus more on skills and personal strengths. Several skills stand out as especially important in this field. Customer service and interpersonal skills are central to building positive interactions and repeat business. Speaking and listening skills support clear communication with guests and coworkers. Physical strength and stamina, along with fine motor skills, are important for handling the physical demands of the work. Creativity and innovation can help bartenders enhance the service experience, while adaptability allows them to adjust to different customers, shifts, and workplace needs. Mathematics supports tasks that involve counting or basic calculations. Project management and leadership skills may become more important for bartenders who take on additional responsibilities or move into roles that coordinate others or manage aspects of the operation.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
