Bartender Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$30,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $34,340
State Rank
#24 of 51
27,420 employed here

How much does a Bartender make in Ohio?

A Bartender working in Ohio earns a median salary of $30,880 per year, or about $14.85 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $34,340 for this occupation.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $22,990 while the top 10% make $72,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $25,720 and $44,940 a year.

Bartender salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$22,990$11.05
25th percentile (early career)$25,720$12.37
50th percentile (median)$30,880$14.85
75th percentile (experienced)$44,940$21.61
90th percentile (top earners)$72,190$34.71

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 24th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($30,880) 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 Ohio?
The median Bartender salary in Ohio is $30,880 per year, or about $14.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,990 at the entry level to $72,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Bartenders about 10% less than the national median of $34,340. Ohio ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Bartenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,880 a year. About 27,420 Bartenders are employed in Ohio. 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.