Careers → Food Service → Bartenders

Bartenders

Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information

Median Salary

$33,530

~$16/hr · ~$2,794/mo

US Jobs

757K

Faster than average

AI & Automation Risk

2/10

Safe

AI & Automation Risk

Safe 2/10

The core of bartending involves physical manipulation of objects, manual cleaning, and real-time social interaction in a physical environment. While AI can assist with peripheral tasks like inventory management or automated ordering, the primary value of the role lies in human presence, physical service, and the social 'hospitality' aspect which remains difficult to automate.

Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home

Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.

City	Local Salary	Cost of Living	Real Purchasing Power
Kahului-Wailuku, HIBEST VALUE	$80,040	Above avg (107.2)	$74,669
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$65,480	Average (100.8)	$64,991
Urban Honolulu, HI	$70,300	Above avg (111.4)	$63,092
Kingston, NY	$56,070	Average (99.6)	$56,310
Roanoke, VA	$48,260	Below avg (91.2)	$52,914
Binghamton, NY	$48,530	Below avg (92.1)	$52,698
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$49,950	Below avg (94.9)	$52,623
Glens Falls, NY	$49,430	Below avg (94.1)	$52,555
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$59,030	Above avg (112.6)	$52,404
Syracuse, NY	$48,810	Below avg (95.7)	$50,994
Midland, MI	$45,850	Below avg (90.6)	$50,596
Flint, MI	$45,130	Below avg (89.9)	$50,212
Ithaca, NY	$49,940	Average (99.5)	$50,177
Traverse City, MI	$44,520	Below avg (90.6)	$49,148
Portland-South Portland, ME	$51,180	Above avg (104.4)	$49,045