Montana Median
$26,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$12.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $34,340
State Rank
#41 of 51
5,370 employed here
How much does a Bartender make in Montana?
A Bartender working in Montana earns a median salary of $26,010 per year, or about $12.50 per hour. That is 24% below the national median of $34,340 for this occupation.
Within Montana, entry-level pay starts around $21,940 while the top 10% make $32,870 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $22,310 and $28,770 a year.
Bartender salary range in Montana
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,940 | $10.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $22,310 | $10.73 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $26,010 | $12.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $28,770 | $13.83 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $32,870 | $15.80 |
|
How Montana compares
Montana ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories for Bartender pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Bartender salary in other states
Hawaii $76,490New York $61,210Washington $55,830District of Columbia $53,920Maine $48,920Virginia $47,070Vermont $45,450Arizona $45,070New Jersey $44,020Oregon $38,900Connecticut $38,780Colorado $38,170Maryland $37,580Massachusetts $37,440New Mexico $36,980Delaware $36,840Michigan $36,780North Carolina $36,470Rhode Island $36,410California $36,220Florida $35,150Utah $32,150Illinois $31,200Ohio $30,880Alaska $30,460Nebraska $30,180Missouri $30,090West Virginia $29,630South Dakota $29,400North Dakota $29,040New Hampshire $28,800Kentucky $28,780Pennsylvania $28,420Mississippi $28,320Alabama $27,980Kansas $27,940Tennessee $27,480Nevada $27,460Idaho $27,240Minnesota $26,900Arkansas $25,090Oklahoma $24,790Wisconsin $23,460Georgia $22,830Indiana $22,770Texas $22,690Wyoming $22,030Iowa $21,720Louisiana $20,850South Carolina $19,370
Working as a Bartender in Montana
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 Montana pay ($26,010) 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 Montana?
The median Bartender salary in Montana is $26,010 per year, or about $12.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,940 at the entry level to $32,870 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Montana pay compare to the national average?
Montana pays Bartenders about 24% less than the national median of $34,340. Montana ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Montana a good state for Bartenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $26,010 a year. About 5,370 Bartenders are employed in Montana. 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 Montana?
The highest-paying occupations in Montana include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($560,820), Physician, All Other ($438,850), Radiologist ($360,330), 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.