Bartender: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Bartenders earn a national median of $33,530/yr with 5.9% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Education and Training.

Median Salary

$33,530

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

5.9%

About as fast as average

Employed Nationally

745,610

2024 data

Typical Education

No formal educational credential

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Bartender

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Bartender candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Active Listening 2 Service Orientation 3 Social Perceptiveness 4 Speaking 5 Critical Thinking 6 Coordination 7 Persuasion 8 Reading Comprehension 9 Active Learning 10 Monitoring

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Bartender performance, based on verified occupational data.

Customer and Personal Service English Language Education and Training Sales and Marketing Administration and Management

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 5.9% for Bartender roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
745,610
Projected Growth
5.9%
Typical Education
No formal educational credential

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Bartender do?
Bartenders apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Education and Training to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking.
How much does a Bartender make?
The national median salary for a Bartender is $33,530 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Bartender a good career in 2026?
Employment for Bartender roles is projected to grow 5.9% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 745,610 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Bartender?
The typical entry-level education for a Bartender is No formal educational credential. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Bartenders need?
The most important skills for Bartender roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Coordination, Persuasion, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Monitoring.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.