Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
Bartenders
SOC: 35-3011 O*NET: 35-3011.00
Median Salary
$33,530
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.9%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
129.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
What does a Bartenders do?
How much can you earn?
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$20,118
25th
$26,824
50th (Median)
$33,530
75th
$40,236
90th
$50,295
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:756,700
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.9%
Annual Openings:129,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)756,700
Current
2034 (Projected)801,500
+5.9%
+44,800
Employment Change
+5.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Service Orientation
94%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Persuasion
74%
#6
Coordination
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Reading Comprehension
46%
#10
Instructing
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
advanced4.7
94%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Persuasion
intermediate3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Persuasion
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers82%
5 shared skills
Directors, Religious Activities and Education82%
5 shared skills
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Athletic Trainers67%
5 shared skills
Correctional Officers and Jailers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Speaking
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Bartenders
Technology Intensity
High
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Facebook
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
VERY HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet very high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What education is required?
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience Required
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Job Training
Training of a few months to a year