Bartenders
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
Also called: Banquet Bartender, Bar Attendant, Bar Captain, Bar Tender, Barkeep, Barkeeper
Median pay
$34,340
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$20,110 – $73,770
People employed
756,390
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 3.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 4.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 5.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 6.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 7.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 8.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
Bartenders pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What bartenders do
- 01Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
- 02Collect money for drinks served.
- 03Balance cash receipts.
- 04Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
- 05Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
- 06Attempt 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.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Social Orientation
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from bartenders
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers87% · −1%
- Food Service Managers82% · +102%
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers82% · +28%
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop81% · −9%
- Food Preparation Workers79% · +3%
Change into bartenders
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers84% · $33,980
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop84% · $31,200
- Gambling Dealers77% · $34,320
- Stockers and Order Fillers77% · $37,330
- Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners76% · $34,980
Majors that lead here
- Bartending/Bartender
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.