National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$31,012
Average (Mean)
$32,463
Employed Nationwide
267,840
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns $935 more (3.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$30,077
$31,012
Average (Mean) Salary
$36,127
$32,463
Total Employment
711,100
267,840
States with Higher Pay
19
32
Salary by State: Bartenders vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Bartenders pays more in 19 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 32.
| State | Bartenders | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $20,840 | $26,590 | $-5,750 | ||
| Alaska | $27,840 | $33,630 | $-5,790 | ||
| Arizona | $44,390 | $34,070 | +$10,320 | ||
| Arkansas | $28,890 | $26,920 | +$1,970 | ||
| California | $34,700 | $36,790 | $-2,090 | ||
| Colorado | $30,980 | $36,420 | $-5,440 | ||
| Connecticut | $32,500 | $35,130 | $-2,630 | ||
| Delaware | $29,010 | $29,060 | $-50 | ||
| District of Columbia | $47,210 | $37,280 | +$9,930 | ||
| Florida | $29,910 | $30,190 | $-280 | ||
| Georgia | $27,850 | $29,820 | $-1,970 | ||
| Hawaii | $55,940 | $35,660 | +$20,280 | ||
| Idaho | $22,960 | $28,810 | $-5,850 | ||
| Illinois | $29,660 | $31,940 | $-2,280 | ||
| Indiana | $22,550 | $29,570 | $-7,020 | ||
| Iowa | $21,770 | $29,350 | $-7,580 | ||
| Kansas | $26,790 | $23,880 | +$2,910 | ||
| Kentucky | $29,140 | $29,810 | $-670 | ||
| Louisiana | $20,700 | $26,560 | $-5,860 | ||
| Maine | $34,950 | $33,080 | +$1,870 | ||
| Maryland | $34,860 | $33,870 | +$990 | ||
| Massachusetts | $34,970 | $35,770 | $-800 | ||
| Michigan | $31,010 | $30,560 | +$450 | ||
| Minnesota | $26,330 | $34,040 | $-7,710 | ||
| Mississippi | $21,500 | $22,880 | $-1,380 | ||
| Missouri | $28,210 | $27,970 | +$240 | ||
| Montana | $21,880 | $30,390 | $-8,510 | ||
| Nebraska | $27,040 | $29,390 | $-2,350 | ||
| Nevada | $28,860 | $31,760 | $-2,900 | ||
| New Hampshire | $27,610 | $33,700 | $-6,090 | ||
| New Jersey | $38,230 | $34,310 | +$3,920 | ||
| New Mexico | $28,580 | $28,390 | +$190 | ||
| New York | $45,980 | $36,910 | +$9,070 | ||
| North Carolina | $33,160 | $29,430 | +$3,730 | ||
| North Dakota | $27,970 | $33,780 | $-5,810 | ||
| Ohio | $27,440 | $29,150 | $-1,710 | ||
| Oklahoma | $20,590 | $23,650 | $-3,060 | ||
| Oregon | $30,810 | $34,500 | $-3,690 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $22,740 | $30,680 | $-7,940 | ||
| Rhode Island | $28,600 | $32,100 | $-3,500 | ||
| South Carolina | $18,610 | $29,200 | $-10,590 | ||
| South Dakota | $28,380 | $32,030 | $-3,650 | ||
| Tennessee | $22,000 | $28,830 | $-6,830 | ||
| Texas | $27,520 | $26,920 | +$600 | ||
| Utah | $33,280 | $27,000 | +$6,280 | ||
| Vermont | $35,530 | $33,090 | +$2,440 | ||
| Virginia | $42,850 | $30,540 | +$12,310 | ||
| Washington | $48,570 | $36,370 | +$12,200 | ||
| West Virginia | $27,960 | $27,750 | +$210 | ||
| Wisconsin | $22,660 | $31,510 | $-8,850 | ||
| Wyoming | $21,620 | $30,610 | $-8,990 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Bartenders or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
On average across all states, a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns more than a Bartenders. The national median salary difference is $935 (3.1%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Bartenders earn more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
A Bartenders earns a higher median salary than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in 19 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 32 states.
What is the median salary for a Bartenders vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
The national median salary for a Bartenders is $30,077 per year, compared to $31,012 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Bartenders or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
There are more people employed as Bartenders. BLS reports approximately 711,100 Bartenders positions and 267,840 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Bartenders or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Both Bartenders and Food Servers, Nonrestaurant are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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