Bartenders Salary by State
The national median pay for bartenders is $34,340 a year. By state, it ranges from $19,370 in South Carolina to $76,490 in Hawaii.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $20,110
- 25th percentile
- $27,400
- Median
- $34,340
- 75th percentile
- $47,570
- Top 10%
- $73,770
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 756,390 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $76,490 | +123% | $30,670 | $117,540 | 3,540 |
| 2 | New York | $61,210 | +78% | $33,640 | $93,530 | 43,130 |
| 3 | Washington | $55,830 | +63% | $39,380 | $90,130 | 16,800 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $53,920 | +57% | $36,400 | $95,560 | 5,760 |
| 5 | Maine | $48,920 | +42% | $31,120 | $99,850 | 3,230 |
| 6 | Virginia | $47,070 | +37% | $27,890 | $90,400 | 13,370 |
| 7 | Vermont | $45,450 | +32% | $29,970 | $91,400 | 2,080 |
| 8 | Arizona | $45,070 | +31% | $30,650 | $86,720 | 14,840 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $44,020 | +28% | $32,220 | $80,480 | 16,260 |
| 10 | Oregon | $38,900 | +13% | $31,200 | $68,980 | 11,950 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $38,780 | +13% | $34,010 | $81,760 | 7,680 |
| 12 | Colorado | $38,170 | +11% | $30,800 | $94,880 | 17,000 |
| 13 | Maryland | $37,580 | +9% | $31,200 | $69,730 | 13,020 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $37,440 | +9% | $31,890 | $70,870 | 19,850 |
| 15 | New Mexico | $36,980 | +8% | $25,720 | $63,570 | 3,790 |
| 16 | Delaware | $36,840 | +7% | $31,200 | $60,420 | 2,820 |
| 17 | Michigan | $36,780 | +7% | $25,960 | $76,090 | 21,100 |
| 18 | North Carolina | $36,470 | +6% | $16,180 | $74,450 | 20,070 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $36,410 | +6% | $31,200 | $76,320 | 3,170 |
| 20 | California | $36,220 | +5% | $34,320 | $75,130 | 71,470 |
| 21 | Florida | $35,150 | +2% | $27,430 | $66,400 | 55,170 |
| 22 | Utah | $32,150 | −6% | $17,640 | $75,080 | 3,350 |
| 23 | Illinois | $31,200 | −9% | $31,200 | $46,520 | 43,010 |
| 24 | Ohio | $30,880 | −10% | $22,990 | $72,190 | 27,420 |
| 25 | Alaska | $30,460 | −11% | $24,880 | $61,550 | 2,280 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $30,180 | −12% | $28,080 | $60,140 | 7,320 |
| 27 | Missouri | $30,090 | −12% | $28,600 | $54,900 | 14,410 |
| 28 | West Virginia | $29,630 | −14% | $19,900 | $64,280 | 3,340 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $29,400 | −14% | $27,400 | $38,180 | 3,930 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $29,040 | −15% | $18,850 | $57,050 | 3,960 |
| 31 | New Hampshire | $28,800 | −16% | $17,390 | $78,230 | 3,840 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $28,780 | −16% | $16,110 | $63,140 | 6,870 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $28,420 | −17% | $17,460 | $62,830 | 37,490 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $28,320 | −18% | $15,910 | $74,330 | 2,770 |
| 35 | Alabama | $27,980 | −19% | $17,260 | $55,500 | 6,560 |
| 36 | Kansas | $27,940 | −19% | $17,150 | $66,010 | 5,430 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $27,480 | −20% | $15,970 | $52,740 | 10,330 |
| 38 | Nevada | $27,460 | −20% | $24,960 | $47,250 | 16,830 |
| 39 | Idaho | $27,240 | −21% | $16,850 | $61,060 | 3,430 |
| 40 | Minnesota | $26,900 | −22% | $23,150 | $38,790 | 24,420 |
| 41 | Montana | $26,010 | −24% | $21,940 | $32,870 | 5,370 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $25,090 | −27% | $22,880 | $56,830 | 3,020 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $24,790 | −28% | $16,230 | $48,050 | 5,860 |
| 44 | Wisconsin | $23,460 | −32% | $17,200 | $39,040 | 29,520 |
| 45 | Georgia | $22,830 | −34% | $15,840 | $53,310 | 14,600 |
| 46 | Indiana | $22,770 | −34% | $17,050 | $45,000 | 12,880 |
| 47 | Texas | $22,690 | −34% | $16,200 | $65,300 | 59,000 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $22,030 | −36% | $17,620 | $55,070 | 2,660 |
| 49 | Iowa | $21,720 | −37% | $16,730 | $39,520 | 9,560 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $20,850 | −39% | $15,080 | $41,600 | 10,140 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $19,370 | −44% | $15,080 | $59,430 | 10,680 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Bartenders salary questions
Which state pays bartenders the most?
Hawaii, with a median of $76,490 a year (+123% vs. the national median of $34,340). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays bartenders the least?
South Carolina, with a median of $19,370 a year (−44% vs. national).
Where do most bartenders work?
California has the most jobs, about 71,470, with a median of $36,220.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.