Bartenders Pay Range in Kentucky
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$16,110
- 25th Percentile — Junior$17,920
- 50th Percentile — Median$28,780
- 75th Percentile — Senior$45,770
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$63,140
Half of Bartenders in Kentucky earn more than $28,780. The top 10% make $63,140 or more, while entry-level workers start around $16,110.
Bartenders in Kentucky: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Kentucky ranks 34th of 51 states for Bartenders pay, at $34,970 per year (14.3% below the U.S. average of $40,790).
- 6,870 people work as Bartenders in Kentucky — 0.9% of all U.S. Bartenders jobs.
- Location quotient 0.71: Bartenders jobs are less concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $16,110; the top 10% earn over $63,140.
- Hourly equivalent: $16.81 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $76,740.
- Among hospitality jobs in Kentucky, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($55,770).
Bartenders Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation
Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Bartenders here earn $34,970 on average, placing the state 34th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $34,970 is roughly equivalent to $42,133 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nevada ($36,210), Kansas ($35,780), Illinois ($35,550) 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 Kentucky
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $55,770/yr Kentucky +59.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $39,320/yr Kentucky +12.4% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $35,410/yr Kentucky +1.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $33,790/yr Kentucky 3.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $33,700/yr Kentucky 3.6% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,890/yr Kentucky 23.1% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $26,350/yr Kentucky 24.6% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $25,300/yr Kentucky 27.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Bartenders salary in Kentucky?
The average Bartenders salary in Kentucky is $34,970 per year (median $28,780), which is 14.3% below the national average of $40,790.
How does Kentucky rank for Bartenders pay?
Kentucky ranks 34th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($76,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Bartenders make in Kentucky?
The lowest-paid 10% of Bartenders in Kentucky earn about $16,110 per year and the 25th percentile is $17,920.
How much do Bartenders make per hour in Kentucky?
About $16.81 per hour, based on the $34,970 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Bartenders work in Kentucky?
BLS counts 6,870 Bartenders jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).
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