Bartender Salary in Indiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Bartenders in Indiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Indiana Median
$22,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$10.95
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-34% vs US median
US median $34,340
State Rank
#46 of 51
12,880 employed here

How much does a Bartender make in Indiana?

Bartenders in Indiana take home a median of $22,770 annually — roughly $10.95 an hour — which runs 34% below the national median of $34,340.

Within Indiana, entry-level pay starts around $17,050 while the top 10% make $45,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $20,220 and $30,940 a year.

Bartender salary range in Indiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$17,050$8.20
25th percentile (early career)$20,220$9.72
50th percentile (median)$22,770$10.95
75th percentile (experienced)$30,940$14.88
90th percentile (top earners)$45,000$21.63

How Indiana compares

Indiana ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories for Bartender pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$76,490
2New York$61,210
3Washington$55,830
4District of Columbia$53,920
5Maine$48,920

Working as a Bartender in Indiana

Nationally, about 756,000 people work as Bartenders in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Indiana pay ($22,770) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Bartender make in Indiana?
The median Bartender salary in Indiana is $22,770 per year, or about $10.95 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $17,050 at the entry level to $45,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Indiana pay compare to the national average?
Indiana pays Bartenders about 34% less than the national median of $34,340. Indiana ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Indiana a good state for Bartenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $22,770 a year. About 12,880 Bartenders are employed in Indiana. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Indiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Indiana include Cardiologist ($588,890), Surgeon, All Other ($459,300), Radiologist ($430,640), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Bartender salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.