Bartenders vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Waiters and Waitressess out-earn Bartenderss by $890 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Bartenderss land at $34,340 and Waiters and Waitressess at $35,230. The education gap is real: bartender programs typically require no formal educational credential, while waiters and waitress programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Bartenderss is Hawaii ($76,490); for Waiters and Waitressess it's Hawaii ($62,390).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Bartenders median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Bartenderss or Waiters and Waitressess?
Waiters and Waitressess earn more nationally. The median is $34,340 for Bartenderss versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitressess, a difference of $890. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Bartenders or Waiters and Waitresses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Bartenders or Waiters and Waitresses?
Bartenders typically requires no formal educational credential. Waiters and Waitresses requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Bartenderss get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Bartenderss at $76,490/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Bartenders vs. Waiters and Waitresses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Bartenderss earn $76,490 vs. $62,390 for Waiters and Waitressess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.