Bartenders Salary in North Carolina
Bartenders in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $36,470 —6.2% above the national median of $34,340. That ranks NC #18 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 0.83× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in North Carolina.
Highest-paying states for bartenders
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.
| Occupation | North Carolina median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,150 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,400 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,010 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,260 | $35,320 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,190 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do bartenders make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for bartenders in North Carolina is $36,470, or $17.53 per hour. That is 6.2% above the national median of $34,340.
What is the entry-level bartenders salary in North Carolina?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $16,180 per year ($7.78/hour). The 25th percentile is $21,740.
How many people work as bartenders in North Carolina?
About 20,070 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 4.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is North Carolina a good state for bartenders?
North Carolina ranks #18 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.83x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in North Carolina.
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).