Bartenders Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$34,320
- 25th Percentile — Junior$34,660
- 50th Percentile — Median$36,220
- 75th Percentile — Senior$40,990
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$75,130
Half of Bartenders in California earn more than $36,220. The top 10% make $75,130 or more, while entry-level workers start around $34,320.
Bartenders in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 16th of 51 states for Bartenders pay, at $44,780 per year (9.8% above the U.S. average of $40,790).
- 71,470 people work as Bartenders in California — 9.4% of all U.S. Bartenders jobs.
- Location quotient 0.81: Bartenders jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,320; the top 10% earn over $75,130.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.53 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $76,740.
- Among hospitality jobs in California, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($69,130).
Bartenders Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Bartenders here earn $44,780 on average, placing the state 16th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $44,780 is roughly equivalent to $31,535 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Rhode Island ($46,090), Oregon ($46,080), Maryland ($45,180) are the closest alternatives for Bartenders weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $69,130/yr California +54.4% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,810/yr California +17.9% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $47,900/yr California +7.0% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,020/yr California +0.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $44,600/yr California 0.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $41,680/yr California 6.9% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $41,490/yr California 7.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $40,660/yr California 9.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Bartenders salary in California?
The average Bartenders salary in California is $44,780 per year (median $36,220), which is 9.8% above the national average of $40,790.
How does California rank for Bartenders pay?
California ranks 16th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($76,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Bartenders make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Bartenders in California earn about $34,320 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,660.
How much do Bartenders make per hour in California?
About $21.53 per hour, based on the $44,780 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Bartenders work in California?
BLS counts 71,470 Bartenders jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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