Bartenders Salary in New Jersey
Bartenders in New Jersey earn a median annual wage of $44,020 —28.2% above the national median of $34,340. That ranks NJ #9 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.78× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in New Jersey.
Highest-paying states for bartenders
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. New Jersey is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $76,490 | $36.78 | 3,540 | 1.16 |
| 2 | New York | $61,210 | $29.43 | 43,130 | 0.92 |
| 3 | Washington | $55,830 | $26.84 | 16,800 | 0.97 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $53,920 | $25.92 | 5,760 | 1.69 |
| 5 | Maine | $48,920 | $23.52 | 3,230 | 1.04 |
| 6 | Virginia | $47,070 | $22.63 | 13,370 | 0.67 |
| 7 | Vermont | $45,450 | $21.85 | 2,080 | 1.40 |
| 8 | Arizona | $45,070 | $21.67 | 14,840 | 0.94 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $44,020 | $21.16 | 16,260 | 0.78 |
| 10 | Oregon | $38,900 | $18.70 | 11,950 | 1.25 |
Related occupations in New Jersey
Occupations in the same job family, compared within New Jersey.
| Occupation | New Jersey median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,150 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,960 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,460 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,420 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,540 | $35,320 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,220 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do bartenders make in New Jersey?
The median annual wage for bartenders in New Jersey is $44,020, or $21.16 per hour. That is 28.2% above the national median of $34,340.
What is the entry-level bartenders salary in New Jersey?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $32,220 per year ($15.49/hour). The 25th percentile is $35,330.
How many people work as bartenders in New Jersey?
About 16,260 people work in this occupation in New Jersey, or 3.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is New Jersey a good state for bartenders?
New Jersey ranks #9 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.78x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in New Jersey.
Which state pays bartenders the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage at $76,490 per year, followed by New York ($61,210) and Washington ($55,830).