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Food Service

Bartenders

Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Bartenders
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Median pay

$33,530
Median annual pay for Bartenders.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

5.9%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

129,600
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

756,700
Estimated U.S. employment for Bartenders in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+44,800
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Active Learning
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Education and Training
  4. 4Sales and Marketing
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Information Ordering
  4. 4Near Vision
  5. 5Speech Recognition
  6. 6Arm-Hand Steadiness

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Social Orientation
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Self-Control
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Optimism
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  2. 2Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  3. 3Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Training and Teaching Others
  6. 6Handling and Moving Objects

Work context

  1. 1Contact With Others
  2. 2Spend Time Standing
  3. 3Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Physical Proximity
  6. 6Freedom to Make Decisions

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

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Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.