Salary data · Bespree
Bartender Salary in Los Angeles
Bartenders in the Los Angeles area earn a median of $16.90/hr — based on BLS OEWS May 2024.
At median pay, that's roughly $35,152/year, $676/week, or $2,927/month (40-hour week, before taxes).
About bartenders
Job duties, work environment, and education based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What bartenders do
Bartenders mix and serve drinks to customers directly or through wait staff. They verify customer age, take drink orders, mix cocktails and other beverages, serve snacks or food, maintain bar supplies and inventory, clean bar areas, and process payments. Bartenders also check customers for signs of intoxication and may be responsible for refusing service when necessary.
Work environment
Bartenders work in bars, restaurants, hotels, clubs, and other establishments that serve alcoholic beverages. The work is done on their feet and can be physically demanding. Bartenders often work late night hours, weekends, and holidays. The pace can be hectic during busy periods. Tips are a significant part of a bartender's income.
How to become one
There are no formal education requirements for bartenders, though a high school diploma is preferred. Many learn through on-the-job training. Some attend bartending school to learn mixology and service techniques. Most states require bartenders to be at least 18 or 21 years old, depending on local laws, and many require responsible alcohol service training.
Similar occupations
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — bls.gov/ooh. BLS content is in the public domain.
Hourly wage ranges
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th) | $16.10 | $33,488 |
| 25th percentile | $16.40 | $34,112 |
| Median (50th) | $16.90 | $35,152 |
| 75th percentile | $19.14 | $39,811 |
| Top earners (90th) | $36.06 | $75,005 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 · Annual estimate = hourly × 2,080 hrs · Actual annual income varies by hours worked and schedule.
Bartenders — Hourly Pay Distribution
Percentile range from entry-level to top earners
How Los Angeles compares
Bartenders pay by metro
| Metro | Median/hr |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $16.90 |
| New York City | $28.38 |
| Trenton-Princeton | $21.51 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford | $16.91 |
| Philadelphia | $16.54 |
| New Haven | $16.11 |
| Miami | $14.19 |
| Chicago | $14.00 |
| Houston | $12.98 |
Bartenders — Median Hourly Pay by Metro
Sorted by median pay, highest to lowest
Job outlook for Bartenders
National employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
🟡 About as fast as average
+3.6% projected growth, 2024–2034
+24,700
2024–2034
~113,100
New + replacement
681,200
2024 estimate
No formal credential
Entry-level
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Published August 2025. National-level projections — local growth may differ.
Skills & qualifications
Key skills and knowledge areas from O*NET OnLine, plus representative tools compiled by Bespree for bartenders.
- Active Listening
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Food Production
- Sales and Marketing
- Public Safety and Security
- Cocktail shakers
- Jiggers
- Blenders
- Draft beer systems
- Point-of-sale terminals
Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree.
Commute-adjusted effective wage
What you actually earn after subtracting the cost of getting to work.
Effective hourly wage after estimated commute costs, based on a 40-hr work week.
| Commute mode | Monthly cost | Hourly impact | Effective wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commute cost (baseline) | — | — | $16.90 |
| Metro rail/bus (monthly pass) | ~$122/mo | −$0.70/hr | $16.20/hr |
| Driving (gas + wear, no parking) | ~$280/mo | −$1.62/hr | $15.28/hr |
Methodology: Commute cost is deducted from median hourly wage assuming 2,080 working hours per year (52 weeks × 40 hrs). Costs are directional estimates based on published transit fares or AAA average variable driving costs. Actual costs vary by distance, schedule, vehicle, and commute days.
Metro rail/bus (monthly pass): LA Metro monthly pass, 2024 rate.
Driving (gas + wear, no parking): AAA avg variable cost × 20mi avg LA round-trip.
Local job market
—
No current paid openings on Bespree
No exact matches right now — new openings are added regularly.
Browse all jobs on Bespree →BLS estimates 20,810 bartenders employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area, or 8.5 per 1,000 jobs. (BLS OEWS May 2024)
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Data source: Wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, BLS OEWS May 2024. Job outlook data is from the BLS Employment Projections program (BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034). BLS data is in the public domain. Occupation profile content summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after retrieval. Wage figures are estimates and do not constitute a guarantee of earnings. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, certifications, and hours worked. Weekly and monthly earnings shown assume a 40-hour work week and are pre-tax estimates. Commute cost figures are directional estimates based on published transit fares and AAA average variable driving cost data; actual commute costs vary.