Bartenders Hourly Pay

As of May 2025, the median hourly wage for bartenders in the United States was $16.51, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.

Hourly Wage Percentiles

PercentileHourly Wage
10th$9.67
25th$13.17
Median$16.51
75th$22.87
90th$35.47

Data source: BLS OES national file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do bartenders make an hour?

The median hourly wage is $16.51; the mean hourly wage is $19.61.

What is the entry-level hourly pay for bartenders?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn about $9.67 per hour — a common proxy for entry-level pay.

What is the top hourly pay for bartenders?

Workers at the 90th percentile earn about $35.47 per hour.