Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Bartenders
Bartenders mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
Table of contents
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
Is this job meaningful
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
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Bartending/Bartender
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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