Bartenders Salary in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, bartenders earn $22,520 at the median, or about $10.83 an hour. The range runs from $17K at the entry level to $37K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Wisconsin. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $23K get you in Wisconsin?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Wisconsin
Entry-level bartenders (10th percentile) start around $17K. Mid-career wages sit at $23K. Top earners bring in $37K or more, a $19K spread from bottom to top.
Bartenders salary by metro in Wisconsin
13 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan | $26K | +15% | 470 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $24K | +9% | 7,090 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $24K | +6% | 1,180 |
| Fond du Lac | $23K | +2% | 350 |
| Green Bay | $23K | +2% | 1,600 |
| Appleton | $23K | +1% | 1,060 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $23K | +0% | 930 |
| Madison | $22K | -0% | 3,650 |
| Kenosha | $22K | -2% | 610 |
| Eau Claire | $22K | -2% | 870 |
| Wausau | $22K | -2% | 640 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | $22K | -3% | 710 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $22K | -4% | 740 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 metros
Compare to other states
Track bartenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Wisconsin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bartenders make in Wisconsin?
The median is $22,520 a year, that works out to about $11 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $17,200, and experienced bartenders can clear $36,520. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $23K enough to live in Wisconsin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $1,643/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,202/month, which eats 73.2% 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin 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 $23,874 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.