National Salary Overview
VS
Waiters and Waitresses earns $88 more (0.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$33,875
$33,964
Average (Mean) Salary
$40,449
$39,648
Total Employment
756,380
2,270,900
States with Higher Pay
27
23
Salary by State: Bartenders vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Bartenders pays more in 27 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 23.
| State | Bartenders | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,980 | $26,840 | +$1,140 | ||
| Alaska | $30,460 | $26,310 | +$4,150 | ||
| Arizona | $45,070 | $43,950 | +$1,120 | ||
| Arkansas | $25,090 | $24,680 | +$410 | ||
| California | $36,220 | $36,080 | +$140 | ||
| Colorado | $38,170 | $44,860 | $-6,690 | ||
| Connecticut | $38,780 | $37,770 | +$1,010 | ||
| Delaware | $36,840 | $36,880 | $-40 | ||
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | $47,850 | +$6,070 | ||
| Florida | $35,150 | $36,150 | $-1,000 | ||
| Georgia | $22,830 | $18,700 | +$4,130 | ||
| Hawaii | $76,490 | $62,390 | +$14,100 | ||
| Idaho | $27,240 | $30,050 | $-2,810 | ||
| Illinois | $31,200 | $31,200 | $0 | ||
| Indiana | $22,770 | $28,480 | $-5,710 | ||
| Iowa | $21,720 | $21,000 | +$720 | ||
| Kansas | $27,940 | $36,120 | $-8,180 | ||
| Kentucky | $28,780 | $29,660 | $-880 | ||
| Louisiana | $20,850 | $15,080 | +$5,770 | ||
| Maine | $48,920 | $43,370 | +$5,550 | ||
| Maryland | $37,580 | $36,750 | +$830 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | $38,460 | $-1,020 | ||
| Michigan | $36,780 | $37,760 | $-980 | ||
| Minnesota | $26,900 | $25,470 | +$1,430 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,320 | $21,370 | +$6,950 | ||
| Missouri | $30,090 | $29,400 | +$690 | ||
| Montana | $26,010 | $23,370 | +$2,640 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,180 | $33,770 | $-3,590 | ||
| Nevada | $27,460 | $26,410 | +$1,050 | ||
| New Hampshire | $28,800 | $38,430 | $-9,630 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,020 | $44,960 | $-940 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,980 | $36,920 | +$60 | ||
| New York | $61,210 | $47,020 | +$14,190 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,470 | $32,150 | +$4,320 | ||
| North Dakota | $29,040 | $30,890 | $-1,850 | ||
| Ohio | $30,880 | $36,700 | $-5,820 | ||
| Oklahoma | $24,790 | $17,910 | +$6,880 | ||
| Oregon | $38,900 | $48,410 | $-9,510 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,420 | $34,690 | $-6,270 | ||
| Rhode Island | $36,410 | $35,420 | +$990 | ||
| South Carolina | $19,370 | $18,370 | +$1,000 | ||
| South Dakota | $29,400 | $28,990 | +$410 | ||
| Tennessee | $27,480 | $27,760 | $-280 | ||
| Texas | $22,690 | $23,240 | $-550 | ||
| Utah | $32,150 | $31,150 | +$1,000 | ||
| Vermont | $45,450 | $59,140 | $-13,690 | ||
| Virginia | $47,070 | $44,760 | +$2,310 | ||
| Washington | $55,830 | $56,130 | $-300 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,630 | $35,380 | $-5,750 | ||
| Wisconsin | $23,460 | $29,670 | $-6,210 | ||
| Wyoming | $22,030 | $23,920 | $-1,890 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Bartenders vs Waiters and Waitresses salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Bartenders or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a Waiters and Waitresses earns more than a Bartenders. The national median salary difference is $88 (0.3%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Bartenders earn more than a Waiters and Waitresses?
A Bartenders earns a higher median salary than a Waiters and Waitresses in 27 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 23 states.
What is the median salary for a Bartenders vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a Bartenders is $33,875 per year, compared to $33,964 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Bartenders or Waiters and Waitresses?
There are more people employed as Waiters and Waitresses. BLS reports approximately 756,380 Bartenders positions and 2,270,900 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Bartenders or Waiters and Waitresses?
Both Bartenders and Waiters and Waitresses 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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