Career Profile: Bartenders

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 514,000 people employed as bartenders in the United States. The median annual salary is $26,350. Entry level employees earn approximately $17,870 per year and senior employees earn approximately $47,710 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Order or requisition liquors and supplies.
• Plan bar menus.
• Prepare appetizers such as pickles, cheese, and cold meats.
• Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins, or straws.
• Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
• Collect money for drinks served.
• Balance cash receipts.
• Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
• Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
• Attempt to limit problems and liability related to customers' excessive drinking by taking steps such as persuading customers to stop drinking, or ordering taxis or other transportation for intoxicated patrons.
• Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
• Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
• Plan, organize, and control the operations of a cocktail lounge or bar.
• Serve snacks or food items to customers seated at the bar.
• Mix ingredients, such as liquor, soda, water, sugar, and bitters, to prepare cocktails and other drinks.
• Slice and pit fruit for garnishing drinks.
• Ask customers who become loud and obnoxious to leave, or physically remove them.
• Arrange bottles and glasses to make attractive displays.
• Create drink recipes.
• Supervise the work of bar staff and other bartenders.

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