Bartenders Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
In New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, bartenders earn $59,030 at the median — $28.38 an hour. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $94K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 112.56), so that salary is closer to $52,443 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,910/month — about 75.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $59K get you in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
About bartenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Entry-level bartenders (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K.Top earners bring in $94K or more - a $60K 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bartenders make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
The median is $59,030 a year - that works out to about $28.38 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,350, and experienced bartenders can clear $94,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,902/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,910/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 74.6% 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City?
New York-Newark-Jersey City has a Regional Price Parity of 112.56 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bartenders salary is worth about $52,443 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.