Bartenders Salary in Virginia
Bartenders in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $47,070 —37.1% above the national median of $34,340. That ranks VA #6 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 0.67× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Highest-paying states for bartenders
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia 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 Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,110 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,760 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,750 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,550 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $34,900 | $35,320 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,950 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do bartenders make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for bartenders in Virginia is $47,070, or $22.63 per hour. That is 37.1% above the national median of $34,340.
What is the entry-level bartenders salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $27,890 per year ($13.41/hour). The 25th percentile is $34,640.
How many people work as bartenders in Virginia?
About 13,370 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 3.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for bartenders?
Virginia ranks #6 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.67x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
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).