Bartenders Salary in North Carolina
In North Carolina, bartenders earn $32,410 at the median, or about $15.58 an hour. The range runs from $16K at the entry level to $65K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $32K get you in North Carolina?
About bartenders
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level bartenders (10th percentile) start around $16K. Mid-career wages sit at $32K. Top earners bring in $65K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Bartenders salary by metro in North Carolina
15 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $36K | +11% | 5,880 |
| Asheville | $35K | +8% | 1,460 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $34K | +6% | 2,750 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $34K | +4% | 260 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $32K | -1% | 1,160 |
| Rocky Mount | $30K | -8% | 140 |
| Wilmington | $30K | -9% | 1,440 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $30K | -9% | 1,140 |
| Winston-Salem | $28K | -12% | 1,000 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $28K | -13% | 550 |
| Burlington | $28K | -14% | 220 |
| Fayetteville | $27K | -17% | 420 |
| Jacksonville | $27K | -18% | 300 |
| Greenville | $23K | -28% | 300 |
| Goldsboro | $19K | -42% | 140 |
Showing 1–10 of 15 metros
Compare to other states
Track bartenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bartenders make in North Carolina?
The median is $32,410 a year, that works out to about $16 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $16,100, and experienced bartenders can clear $64,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $32K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,219/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 57.9% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bartenders salary is worth about $34,977 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.