Bartenders Salary in California
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for bartenders in California was $36,220 +5.5% vs national
California vs United States
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $36,220 | $34,340 |
| Median hourly | $17.41 | $16.51 |
| Employment | 71,470 | 756,390 |
| Location quotient | 0.81 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (California) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $34,320, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $75,130 — a 2.2x gap between entry-level and top earners.
With approximately 71,470 bartenders employed in California, this is a major occupation in the labor market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average bartenders salary in California?
The median annual wage in California is $36,220 ($17.41 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does California compare to the national average for bartenders?
The California median of $36,220 is 5.5% higher than the U.S. median of $34,340.
How many bartenders work in California?
Approximately 71,470 are employed in California, per BLS OES.