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?
Entry Level
$19,930
10th percentile
Early Career
$25,790
25th percentile
Median
$33,530
50th percentile
Experienced
$46,790
75th percentile
Top Earners
$71,920
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$19,930
25th
$25,790
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$33,530
Mean: $39,880
75th
$46,790
90th
$71,920
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $51,990 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $25,790 and $46,790
- •Salary spread is 62.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 745,610 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:756,700
Top Industries
Food Services and Drinking Places72.2%
Restaurants and Other Eating Places44.9%
Full-Service Restaurants41.4%
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
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Bartenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
69,790 jobs$35,9000.80x
Texas
57,990 jobs$27,7500.87x
Florida
54,800 jobs$30,8501.15x
New York
42,550 jobs$60,7500.92x
Illinois
40,520 jobs$29,1201.38x
Pennsylvania
34,740 jobs$27,0901.19x
Wisconsin
29,340 jobs$22,5202.08x
Ohio
27,530 jobs$29,8501.03x
Minnesota
21,570 jobs$26,8401.53x
Massachusetts
21,080 jobs$36,0001.20x
Michigan
19,530 jobs$39,5000.92x
North Carolina
19,500 jobs$32,4100.82x
Washington
19,140 jobs$48,3201.12x
Colorado
17,670 jobs$33,7801.26x
New Jersey
17,500 jobs$45,6600.85x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
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
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
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
MODERATE
👥
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 moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Management & Supervision (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (2)
1
Collect money for drinks served.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Balance cash receipts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Attempt 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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Mix ingredients, such as liquor, soda, water, sugar, and bitters, to prepare cocktails and other drinks.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Serve snacks or food items to customers seated at the bar.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Bartenders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Bartenders professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Bartenders
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.60
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.58
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.35
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.26
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.13
Social Orientation
Very ImportantSocial Orientation
Importance Level4.09
Complete Work Styles Profile
Self-Control
4.6
Dependability
4.6
Integrity
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Cooperation
4.1
Social Orientation
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Concern for Others
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Independence
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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