Bartenders
Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff.
Is bartenders a good career?
It scores 27/100 and ranks #182 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- High volume of openings — about 129,600 a year
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($34,340 vs $61,390)
What bartenders earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. bartenders earn between $27,400 and $47,570 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live bartenders jobs
No live bartenders openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified bartenders openings will appear here — each shown against the $34,340 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
No placeholder listings · nothing inventedHow to become a bartender
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow faster than average through 2034.
Education
Bartenders typically need no formal education to enter the occupation, although employers may prefer or require candidates to have a high school diploma. Some aspiring bartenders acquire their skills by attending a school for bartending or taking courses at a community college. These programs usually include instruction on mixing cocktails, serving customers, and setting up a bar. Some schools help their graduates find jobs.
Training
Bartenders typically receive on-the-job training that lasts a few weeks. Under the guidance of an experienced bartender, trainees learn cocktail recipes, bar-setup procedures, and customer service, including how to handle unruly customers and other challenging situations. In establishments where bartenders serve food, training may cover teamwork and proper food-handling procedures.
Some employers teach bartending skills to new workers by providing self-study programs, which may include videos and instructional booklets, that explain service skills.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Bartenders must listen carefully to their customers’ orders, explain drink and food items, and make menu recommendations. They also should be able to converse with customers on a variety of subjects.
Customer-service skills. By creating a friendly and welcoming environment, bartenders help to ensure repeat business.
Decision-making skills. Bartenders must observe customers, identify those who are intoxicated or underage, and deny them service.
Multitasking skills. Bartenders must make drinks for and take orders from multiple customers, monitor customers at the bar, and receive payments in a fast, efficient manner.
Physical stamina. Bartenders spend hours walking or standing while preparing drinks and serving customers.
Physical strength. Bartenders should be able to lift and carry cases of liquor, beer, and other bar supplies that may weigh up to 50 pounds.
Related occupations
How much do bartenders make?
The national median wage is $34,340 a year, with the middle half earning between $27,400 and $47,570 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is bartenders a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 27 of 100 and ranks #182 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +5.9% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a bartender?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential.
Where do bartenders earn the most?
Among states, Hawaii pays the highest median ($76,490). Local pay for every state and metro is below.