Bartenders Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$15,970
- 25th Percentile — Junior$18,160
- 50th Percentile — Median$27,480
- 75th Percentile — Senior$38,930
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$52,740
Half of Bartenders in Tennessee earn more than $27,480. The top 10% make $52,740 or more, while entry-level workers start around $15,970.
Bartenders in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 41st of 51 states for Bartenders pay, at $31,180 per year (23.6% below the U.S. average of $40,790).
- 10,330 people work as Bartenders in Tennessee — 1.4% of all U.S. Bartenders jobs.
- Location quotient 0.65: Bartenders jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $15,970; the top 10% earn over $52,740.
- Hourly equivalent: $14.99 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $76,740.
- Among hospitality jobs in Tennessee, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($70,710).
Bartenders Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Bartenders here earn $31,180 on average, placing the state 41st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $31,180 is roughly equivalent to $35,432 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Idaho ($32,670), Texas ($32,640), Alabama ($32,220) 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 Tennessee
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $70,710/yr Tennessee +126.8% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $44,720/yr Tennessee +43.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,530/yr Tennessee +17.2% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $35,260/yr Tennessee +13.1% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,680/yr Tennessee 4.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,480/yr Tennessee 5.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $29,070/yr Tennessee 6.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,870/yr Tennessee 10.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Bartenders salary in Tennessee?
The average Bartenders salary in Tennessee is $31,180 per year (median $27,480), which is 23.6% below the national average of $40,790.
How does Tennessee rank for Bartenders pay?
Tennessee ranks 41st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($76,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Bartenders make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Bartenders in Tennessee earn about $15,970 per year and the 25th percentile is $18,160.
How much do Bartenders make per hour in Tennessee?
About $14.99 per hour, based on the $31,180 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Bartenders work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 10,330 Bartenders jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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