Bartender Salary in New York (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$61,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+78% vs US median
US median $34,340
State Rank
#2 of 51
43,130 employed here

How much does a Bartender make in New York?

A Bartender working in New York earns a median salary of $61,210 per year, or about $29.43 per hour. That is 78% above the national median of $34,340 for this occupation.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $33,640 while the top 10% make $93,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,090 and $77,750 a year.

Bartender salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,640$16.17
25th percentile (early career)$37,090$17.83
50th percentile (median)$61,210$29.43
75th percentile (experienced)$77,750$37.38
90th percentile (top earners)$93,530$44.97

How New York compares

New York ranks 2nd 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 New York

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 New York pay ($61,210) 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 New York?
The median Bartender salary in New York is $61,210 per year, or about $29.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,640 at the entry level to $93,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Bartenders about 78% more than the national median of $34,340. New York ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Bartenders?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $61,210 a year. About 43,130 Bartenders are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.