BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Bartenders in Wisconsin

$26,970 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$12.97 per hour

▼ 33.9% below U.S. average49th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$26,970per year
Median$23,460per year
Hourly$12.97per hour
10th – 90th percentile$17,200 – $39,040per year

Bartenders Pay Range in Wisconsin

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$17,200
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$20,910
  • 50th Percentile — Median$23,460
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$29,860
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$39,040

Half of Bartenders in Wisconsin earn more than $23,460. The top 10% make $39,040 or more, while entry-level workers start around $17,200.

Bartenders in Wisconsin: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Wisconsin ranks 49th of 51 states for Bartenders pay, at $26,970 per year (33.9% below the U.S. average of $40,790).
  • 29,520 people work as Bartenders in Wisconsin — 3.9% of all U.S. Bartenders jobs.
  • Location quotient 2.06: Bartenders jobs are more concentrated in Wisconsin than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $17,200; the top 10% earn over $39,040.
  • Hourly equivalent: $12.97 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $76,740.
  • Among hospitality jobs in Wisconsin, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($64,210).

Bartenders Job Market in Wisconsin

Key factors affecting compensation

Wisconsin's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Bartenders here earn $26,970 on average, placing the state 49th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a Wisconsin salary of $26,970 is roughly equivalent to $29,315 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wyoming ($29,000), South Carolina ($28,440), Indiana ($27,780) are the closest alternatives for Bartenders weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Bartenders salary in Wisconsin?

The average Bartenders salary in Wisconsin is $26,970 per year (median $23,460), which is 33.9% below the national average of $40,790.

How does Wisconsin rank for Bartenders pay?

Wisconsin ranks 49th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($76,740/yr).

How much do entry-level Bartenders make in Wisconsin?

The lowest-paid 10% of Bartenders in Wisconsin earn about $17,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $20,910.

How much do Bartenders make per hour in Wisconsin?

About $12.97 per hour, based on the $26,970 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Bartenders work in Wisconsin?

BLS counts 29,520 Bartenders jobs in Wisconsin (OEWS May 2025).

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