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.