Bartenders Salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
In Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY, bartenders earn $49,950 at the median — $24.01 an hour. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.84), that's roughly $52,118 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,343/month — about 38.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $50K get you in Buffalo-Cheektowaga?
About bartenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Entry-level bartenders (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $79K or more - a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Bartenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $69K | +105% | 3,640 |
| New York | $61K | +81% | 42,550 |
| District of Columbia | $55K | +64% | 4,890 |
| Vermont | $54K | +62% | 2,210 |
| Washington | $48K | +44% | 19,140 |
| Maine | $48K | +42% | 3,060 |
| Virginia | $47K | +40% | 15,870 |
| New Jersey | $46K | +36% | 17,500 |
| Arizona | $41K | +22% | 13,360 |
| Michigan | $40K | +18% | 19,530 |
| Delaware | $36K | +9% | 2,380 |
| Massachusetts | $36K | +7% | 21,080 |
| California | $36K | +7% | 69,790 |
| Maryland | $36K | +7% | 13,770 |
| Connecticut | $34K | +3% | 8,280 |
Track bartenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Buffalo-Cheektowaga numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bartenders make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median is $49,950 a year - that works out to about $24.01 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,200, and experienced bartenders can clear $78,550. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Buffalo-Cheektowaga?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,336/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,343/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 40.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a bartenders salary go in Buffalo-Cheektowaga?
Buffalo-Cheektowaga has a Regional Price Parity of 95.84 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bartenders salary is worth about $52,118 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do bartenders get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.