Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Bartenders typically do not need formal education credentials to enter the occupation. Most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18 years old. They typically learn their skills on the job. PayThe median hourly wage for bartenders was $16.51 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of bartenders is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 121,200 openings for bartenders are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bartenders. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bartenders with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about bartenders by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for bartenders was $16.51 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of bartenders is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 121,200 openings for bartenders are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bartenders. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bartenders with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about bartenders by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of bartenders is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 121,200 openings for bartenders are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bartenders. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bartenders with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about bartenders by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff.
Work Environment
Bartenders work at restaurants, hotels, and other food service and drinking establishments. During busy hours, they are under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently. They often work late evenings, on weekends, and on holidays. Part-time work is common, and schedules may vary.
How to Become a Bartender
Bartenders typically do not need formal education credentials to enter the occupation. Most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18 years old. They typically learn their skills on the job.
Pay
The median hourly wage for bartenders was $16.51 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of bartenders is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 121,200 openings for bartenders are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bartenders.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bartenders with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about bartenders by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Bartenders work at restaurants, hotels, and other food service and drinking establishments. During busy hours, they are under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently. They often work late evenings, on weekends, and on holidays. Part-time work is common, and schedules may vary.
How to Become a Bartender
Bartenders typically do not need formal education credentials to enter the occupation. Most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18 years old. They typically learn their skills on the job.
Pay
The median hourly wage for bartenders was $16.51 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of bartenders is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 121,200 openings for bartenders are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bartenders.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bartenders with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about bartenders by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bartenders.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bartenders with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about bartenders by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about bartenders by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.