What is a Bartender?
Bartender Job Description Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
Bartender Responsibilities
- Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins, or straws.
- Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
- Collect money for drinks served.
- Plan bar menus.
- Mix ingredients, such as liquor, soda, water, sugar, and bitters, to prepare cocktails and other drinks.
- Arrange bottles and glasses to make attractive displays.
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Things a Bartender Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Bartenders say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Bartender Jobs
- Bar Attendant
- Mixologist
- Taproom Attendant
- Barkeeper
- Barmaid
Bartender Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 611,200 jobs in the United States for Bartender. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15,100 new jobs for Bartender by 2026. There will be an estimated 102,300 positions for Bartender per year.

The states with the most job growth for Bartender are Colorado, Utah, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, West Virginia, or Minnesota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Bartender
The typical yearly salary for Bartenders is somewhere between $17,610 and $42,230.

Bartenders who work in Hawaii, District of Columbia, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Bartenders in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $21,840 |
Alaska | $28,180 |
Arizona | $31,320 |
Arkansas | $21,140 |
California | $30,850 |
Colorado | $27,520 |
Connecticut | $26,970 |
Delaware | $25,310 |
District of Columbia | $43,600 |
Florida | $26,040 |
Georgia | $21,590 |
Hawaii | $55,060 |
Idaho | $22,920 |
Illinois | $24,280 |
Indiana | $21,970 |
Iowa | $21,220 |
Kansas | $19,160 |
Kentucky | $19,530 |
Louisiana | $19,350 |
Maine | $29,320 |
Maryland | $23,500 |
Massachusetts | $31,170 |
Michigan | $24,070 |
Minnesota | $23,560 |
Mississippi | $20,100 |
Missouri | $26,480 |
Montana | $21,570 |
Nebraska | $22,140 |
Nevada | $27,590 |
New Hampshire | $23,540 |
New Jersey | $29,600 |
New Mexico | $20,610 |
New York | $34,800 |
North Carolina | $25,510 |
North Dakota | $20,880 |
Ohio | $21,880 |
Oklahoma | $21,630 |
Oregon | $26,660 |
Pennsylvania | $23,380 |
Rhode Island | $27,100 |
South Carolina | $22,010 |
South Dakota | $22,300 |
Tennessee | $21,180 |
Texas | $27,240 |
Utah | $26,380 |
Vermont | $36,720 |
Virginia | $26,420 |
Washington | $35,390 |
West Virginia | $21,740 |
Wisconsin | $22,740 |
Wyoming | $22,060 |
What Tools & Technology do Bartenders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Bartenders:
- Web browser software
- Point of sale POS software
- The General Store
- Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale
- MICROS Systems HSI Profits Series
- NCR Advanced Checkout Solution
- NCR NeighborhoodPOS
- Compris software
How to Become a Bartender
Are there Bartenders education requirements?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Bartender?

Who Employs Bartenders?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Bartender may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: U.S. Army Europe Images via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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