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Bartenders in Iowa
Considering working as a Bartenders in Iowa? Here’s what you need to know. Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
What do Bartenders Make in Iowa?
For a bartenders working in Iowa, the median annual wage is $22,500 per year (or about $10.82/hour).Earnings range from $17,440 at the 10th percentile to $42,550 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17,440 | $8.38 |
| 25th percentile | $20,370 | $9.79 |
| Median (50th) | $22,500 | $10.82 |
| 75th percentile | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| 90th percentile | $42,550 | $20.46 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Iowa compared to the national average — is 1.16, meaning that bartenders are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, bartenders earn a median of $28,151 per year ($13.53/hour), below the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 523,148 bartenders nationwide. In Iowa alone, about 8,740 people work in this role. That’s right around the typical state median of 8,740.
Top Iowa Metros for Bartenders
These are the Iowa metros with the most bartenders in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 2,020 | $23,430 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 1,320 | $29,120 |
| Iowa City, IA | 750 | $22,880 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 690 | $22,760 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 490 | $22,000 |
| Ames, IA | 410 | $22,610 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 410 | $24,960 |
| Dubuque, IA | 400 | $23,750 |
Top States for Bartenders Employment
These states have the highest employment of bartenders work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 69,790 |
| Texas | 57,990 |
| Florida | 54,800 |
| New York | 42,550 |
| Illinois | 40,520 |
| Pennsylvania | 34,740 |
| Wisconsin | 29,340 |
| Ohio | 27,530 |
| Minnesota | 21,570 |
| Massachusetts | 21,080 |
| Michigan | 19,530 |
| North Carolina | 19,500 |
| Washington | 19,140 |
| Colorado | 17,670 |
| New Jersey | 17,500 |
| Nevada | 17,090 |
| Virginia | 15,870 |
| Georgia | 14,980 |
| Missouri | 14,530 |
| Maryland | 13,770 |
Highest-Paying States for Bartenders
These states pay the most for bartenders.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $68,820 |
| New York | $60,750 |
| District of Columbia | $54,930 |
| Vermont | $54,310 |
| Washington | $48,320 |
| Maine | $47,630 |
| Virginia | $46,860 |
| New Jersey | $45,660 |
| Virgin Islands | $42,630 |
| Arizona | $40,860 |
Skills
The most important bartenders skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for bartenders, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
- Collect money for drinks served.
- Balance cash receipts.
- Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
- Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
- 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.
- Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
- Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
- Plan, organize, and control the operations of a cocktail lounge or bar.
- Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins, or straws.
- Serve snacks or food items to customers seated at the bar.
- Mix ingredients, such as liquor, soda, water, sugar, and bitters, to prepare cocktails and other drinks.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
- Getting Information
- Training and Teaching Others
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Facebook
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
Related Careers
Other careers like bartenders include:
- Food Service Managers
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
- Cooks, Private Household
Also Known As
Banquet Bartender, Bar Attendant, Bar Captain, Bar Tender, Barkeep, Barkeeper, Barmaid, Barman, Bartender, Catering Bartender, Drink Mixer, Event Bartender, Mixologist, Restaurant Bartender, Service Bartender.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 35-3011.00