Bartenders Salary in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, bartenders earn $27,090 at the median, or about $13.02 an hour. The range runs from $17K at the entry level to $51K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $27K get you in Pennsylvania?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level bartenders (10th percentile) start around $17K. Mid-career wages sit at $27K. Top earners bring in $51K or more, a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Bartenders salary by metro in Pennsylvania
16 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $34K | +27% | 14,300 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $31K | +13% | 1,840 |
| Lancaster | $28K | +5% | 1,370 |
| York-Hanover | $28K | +4% | 990 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $28K | +3% | 1,500 |
| State College | $27K | +1% | 500 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $27K | -0% | 1,710 |
| Gettysburg | $26K | -3% | 300 |
| Chambersburg | $26K | -5% | 320 |
| Reading | $25K | -8% | 1,010 |
| Williamsport | $24K | -10% | 400 |
| Lebanon | $23K | -14% | 340 |
| Pittsburgh | $23K | -14% | 6,800 |
| Erie | $22K | -19% | 980 |
| Altoona | $22K | -20% | 380 |
| Johnstown | $20K | -26% | 580 |
Showing 1–10 of 16 metros
Compare to other states
Track bartenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bartenders make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $27,090 a year, that works out to about $13 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $17,400, and experienced bartenders can clear $51,010. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $27K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $1,914/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 70.6% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania 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 $28,525 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.