Bartenders Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$16,180
- 25th Percentile — Junior$21,740
- 50th Percentile — Median$36,470
- 75th Percentile — Senior$57,010
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$74,450
Half of Bartenders in North Carolina earn more than $36,470. The top 10% make $74,450 or more, while entry-level workers start around $16,180.
Bartenders in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 21st of 51 states for Bartenders pay, at $41,200 per year (1.0% above the U.S. average of $40,790).
- 20,070 people work as Bartenders in North Carolina — 2.7% of all U.S. Bartenders jobs.
- Location quotient 0.83: Bartenders jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $16,180; the top 10% earn over $74,450.
- Hourly equivalent: $19.81 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $76,740.
- Among hospitality jobs in North Carolina, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($63,960).
Bartenders Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Bartenders here earn $41,200 on average, placing the state 21st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $41,200 is roughly equivalent to $45,275 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($44,470), Delaware ($42,890), Florida ($42,280) 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 North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $63,960/yr North Carolina +55.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,550/yr North Carolina +13.0% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $37,850/yr North Carolina 8.1% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $36,130/yr North Carolina 12.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,140/yr North Carolina 14.7% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,050/yr North Carolina 29.5% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,690/yr North Carolina 32.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,080/yr North Carolina 34.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Bartenders salary in North Carolina?
The average Bartenders salary in North Carolina is $41,200 per year (median $36,470), which is 1.0% above the national average of $40,790.
How does North Carolina rank for Bartenders pay?
North Carolina ranks 21st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($76,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Bartenders make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Bartenders in North Carolina earn about $16,180 per year and the 25th percentile is $21,740.
How much do Bartenders make per hour in North Carolina?
About $19.81 per hour, based on the $41,200 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Bartenders work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 20,070 Bartenders jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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