What's the minimum wage for bartenders?
Asked by: Marlon Haag | Last update: January 17, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (46 votes)
The federal minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour. However, with their tips combined, tipped employees must earn at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Why do servers only make $2.13 an hour?
Reason that servers make 2 thirteen an hour. is because the money they earn through tips. usually exceeds the federal minimum wage, which is 7:25. So you go in on one shift. and you make somehow zero dollars. Your employer, for those hours that you were there. Has to make up the difference.
Do bartenders make 2.13 an hour?
It depends on the state you live in. Most is then have an hourly rate of 2.50 or so an hour. Some states like Oregon do the minimum wage. I love in Virginia which is 2 something an hour. As a bartender I've always been paid more than. The least I made was six an hour, and the most was 12.
Is the minimum wage $16 an hour in California?
The minimum wage in California, effective January 1, 2025, is $16.50/hour for all employers. Fast Food Restaurant employers, effective April 1, 2024, and Healthcare Facility employers, effective October 16, 2024 (see below), have a higher minimum wage.
Who gets $20 an hour in California?
Starting April 1, 2024, all “fast food restaurant employees” who are covered by the new law must be paid at least $20.00 per hour. Does an employer covered by the new law have to post a new minimum wage or Industrial Welfare Commissioner Order? Yes.
'Don't mess with our tipping system': Servers, bartenders don't want $15 minimum wage
Is $25 an hour good in California?
California ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for 25 Hr salaries.
Can you make $1000 a week bartending?
For some people, this is what is most important. If you go to bartending school, graduate and get a job, how much money should you expect to make? At any normal bar, you should expect to make anywhere from $250-300 per night in tips. Work 3 nights per week and that's already close to $1000 per week, just in tips.
What state has the lowest minimum wage?
State Minimum Wages Summary
Five states have not adopted a state minimum wage: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Three states, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wyoming, have a minimum wage below $7.25 per hour. In all eight of these states, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour generally applies.
Is bartending good pay?
In California, bartenders can earn a base pay from $38,000 to $60,000 a year. The average is around $48,000. Additional pay is in the range of $19,000 to $35,000, with $28,000 as the median amount.
How much do bartenders make an hour without tips?
Without tips, bartenders make an average of $12.55 per hour or $26,094 per year. This sum will change depending on a wide range of variables, such as location, bar theme, specific jobs, possession of a bartending license, available bartending equipment, and more.
Is $20 an hour good in Texas?
$20 An Hour Salary in Texas. $52,700 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $64,200 is the 75th percentile.
What is the tipped minimum wage in California?
In California, the minimum wage for servers in 2025 is $16.50 per hour. In some cities and counties, the minimum wage is higher. Unlike in some other states, servers and other workers in California are entitled to the minimum wage in addition to the tips they earn.
Can I make 100k as a bartender?
While it might be challenging, it is not impossible for bartenders in high-end establishments or busy locations, with substantial tips, to earn $100k or more annually.
Can you pay bartenders less than minimum wage?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employers in the state of California are required to pay tipped workers the state's minimum wage.
What states are going to $15 an hour minimum wage?
- California.
- Connecticut.
- Delaware.
- Illinois.
- Maryland.
- Massachusetts.
- New Jersey.
- New York.
What is the highest minimum wage in the world?
Luxembourg. Luxembourg offers the highest minimum wage of any country worldwide at US$3,214 (€3,085) per month for skilled talent over the age of 18. Unskilled talent and talent under the age of 18 receive a lower monthly minimum wage: Unskilled workers 18 years of age and older: US$2,679 (€2,571)
How to make $1200 a week?
- Dentist. Great Expressions Dental Centers. ...
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Are bartending jobs worth it?
Bartending has many benefits, including an active job environment and the potential for good tips, a strong job outlook, the chance to socialize with a diverse group of patrons, and since many bartenders work at night, you're typically free during the day.
How many hours do bartenders work?
Full-time bartenders work roughly 40 hours a week, with an average shift, day or night, lasting between 10 to 12 hours. This includes set-up or breakdown time and often does not include breaks. Part-time bartenders, on the other hand, can work anywhere from a few hours to 30 hours.
How much is $70,000 a year per hour in California?
As of Jan 21, 2025, the average hourly pay for a $70000 in California is $22.15 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $35.35 and as low as $15.42, the majority of $70000 salaries currently range between $18.99 (25th percentile) to $22.79 (75th percentile) in California.
Can you live off $20 an hour in California?
If we look at an adult with one child, the MIT living wage calculator is about $45 an hour, so even this $20 per hour is far below what MIT suggests for a living wage," Leigh said. MIT's living wage calculator considers expenses for a living wage to cover basic needs, such as food, health care and housing.
Is 70K a good salary?
$70K can be a good salary for a single person, depending on your circumstances. But if you'd like to stretch your income as much as possible, here are a few ideas: Determine your monthly budget. A budgeting and spending plan that works for your lifestyle and long-term goals is essential.