What Does A Bartender Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Bartenders

Bartenders mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.

Salary
$28910
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Bartenders mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.

  • 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.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Bartenders slice and pit fruit for garnishing drinks. They balance cash receipts.

A typical day for a Bartender will also include:

  • Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
  • Collect money for drinks served.
  • Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
  • Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
  • Arrange bottles and glasses to make attractive displays.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Bartenders also order or requisition liquors and supplies. They may also ask customers who become loud and obnoxious to leave or physically remove them.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Bartenders 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. They might also plan bar menus.

In addition, they slice and pit fruit for garnishing drinks.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them create drink recipes.

To some Bartenders, it is also their responsibility to prepare appetizers such as pickles, cheese, and cold meats.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

61% said they were satisfied with their job and 32% said they found their job meaningful.


I have been a seasonal bartender for the last 8 years. I normally work the summer in the Greek islands as a bartender and a musician. I have not worked there this year due to COVID but plan to go again this summer if possible. As I work a dual job when I bartend I … Read More


I’ve been bartending for 3 years now. I love it because it allows me to tap into my creativity while also being social. It feels good to be able to facilitate social interactions and celebrations. I also find it comforting to know that it’s a career that will require me to constantly learn and grow. … Read More


Life being a bartender Bartending is an extremely satisfying and thrilling journey to take in the service industry. But, it can be a little overwhelming. As a bartender, there is a lot of multitasking, which can exhaust you, but bartending can give you a very thrilling experience once you are into it. Although it indeed … Read More


OurTeaZone

My first job when I turned 18 in the UK was as a bartender, which I held for about 3 years during my university (college) career. As a first job, this was great. It teaches you so many soft skills that I don’t think you pick up in too many work environments. Most importantly, it … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.

Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Normal working hours (40 hours per week).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.

One of the lowest paying jobs.

How much do they make

Average salary

$28910 per year

Average hourly wage

$14 per hour

Entry-level Bartenders with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $17,940 to $19,620 per year or $9 to $9 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $47,690 $23
Senior (Top 25%) $32,130 $15
Median $24,960 $12
Junior (Bottom 25%) $19,620 $9
No experience (Bottom 10%) $17,940 $9

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Bartenders based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Other Personal Services $32520 $15.64
Traveler Accommodation $32090 $15.43
Grantmaking and Giving Services $32080 $15.42
Employment Services $31710 $15.25
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods $31260 $15.03
Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly $31190 $14.99
State Government $31170 $14.99
Technical and Trade Schools $31060 $14.93
Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water $30940 $14.87
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools $30580 $14.70

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Bartenders work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Bartenders including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Restaurants and Other Eating Places 221640 $30400 $14.62
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) 123820 $26970 $12.97
Traveler Accommodation 31820 $32090 $15.43
Civic and Social Organizations 28370 $23720 $11.40
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries 20560 $27460 $13.20
Beverage Manufacturing 18170 $28970 $13.93
Special Food Services 14040 $29380 $14.13
Gambling Industries 4960 $27300 $13.12
Employment Services 4110 $31710 $15.25
Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events 2270 $29860 $14.36

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
80%

40 hours
20%

More than 40 hours
0%

Working schedule

98%

1%

1%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
11%

Every day
11%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
10%

Every day
39%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
17%

Every day
62%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
72%

Once a year
4%

Once a month
11%

Once a week
10%

Every day
3%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
37%

Slightly competitive
16%

Moderately competitive
29%

Highly competitive
9%

Extremely competitive
9%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
25%

Once a year or more
1%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
73%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
89%

Once a year or more
1%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
11%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
87%

Once a year or more
10%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
2%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
87%

Once a year or more
11%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
1%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
37%

High School Diploma or equivalent
43%

Post-Secondary Certificate
3%

Some College Courses
16%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
1%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Bartending/Bartender

A program that prepares individuals to professionally prepare mixed alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and related products and manage bars, lounges, and beverage service operations in the hospitality industry. Includes instruction in mixology, oenology, accounting and cash management, inventory and cellar management, bar and lounge management, applicable laws and regulations, customer service, and labor/employment regulations.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
12%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
6%

3 to 6 months
21%

6 months to 1 year
18%

1 to 2 years
26%

2 to 4 years
16%

4 to 6 years
0%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
15%

1 month
38%

1 to 3 months
19%

3 to 6 months
26%

6 months to 1 year
2%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

The Builder
62%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
19%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
29%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
52%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
81%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
81%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
33%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
33%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
38%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
76%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
48%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
57%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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