EN

Occupation · SOC 35-3011

Bartenders

There are 756,390 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $34,340 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Food ServiceTypical education: No formal educational credential
756,390
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$34,340
Median pay a year
Middle half: $27,400–$47,570
121,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +5%
No formal educational credential
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 391 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $61,220 · LCA filings 038,510$61,2200
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $31,200 · LCA filings 028,750$31,2000
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $35,510 · LCA filings 025,260$35,5100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $24,170 · LCA filings 018,300$24,1700
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $27,600 · LCA filings 015,370$27,6000
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $37,760 · LCA filings 014,840$37,7600
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $48,030 · LCA filings 014,560$48,0300
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $34,700 · LCA filings 014,510$34,7000
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $36,040 · LCA filings 014,210$36,0400
Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVMedian pay $33,750 · LCA filings 013,730$33,7500

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 800 · LCA filings 0$86,2808000
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 2,130 · LCA filings 0$75,3402,1300
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 38,510 · LCA filings 0$61,22038,5100
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 9,640 · LCA filings 0$58,1809,6400
Mount Vernon–Anacortes, WAEmployment 270 · LCA filings 0$56,6402700

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $50,502 · Level III $63,502 · Level IV $76,502$37,502$50,502$63,502$76,502
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $33,051 · Level III $35,714 · Level IV $38,397$30,368$33,051$35,714$38,397
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $37,939 · Level III $41,475 · Level IV $45,011$34,403$37,939$41,475$45,011
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $27,414 · Level III $37,502 · Level IV $47,611$17,306$27,414$37,502$47,611
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $27,664 · Level III $31,658 · Level IV $35,672$23,650$27,664$31,658$35,672
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $38,875 · Level III $45,968 · Level IV $53,061$31,782$38,875$45,968$53,061
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $45,594 · Level III $56,098 · Level IV $66,581$35,110$45,594$56,098$66,581
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $34,736 · Level III $41,080 · Level IV $47,445$28,371$34,736$41,080$47,445
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $32,261 · Level III $41,226 · Level IV $50,190$23,296$32,261$41,226$50,190
Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVLevel II $31,533 · Level III $37,981 · Level IV $44,408$25,106$31,533$37,981$44,408

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Culinary Arts and Related ServicesCIP 12.05OPT · up to 12 months381OPT · up to 12 months

See Bartenders in every metro area

All 391 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Food Service

Fast Food and Counter WorkersWaiters and WaitressesCooks, RestaurantFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFood Preparation WorkersHosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopDining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersCooks, Fast Food

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology