How much does a bartender make in California?
$36,220a year
Median yearly pay for bartenders in California. That is $17.41 an hour or $3,018 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.41
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among states
- 20 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 71,470
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,320Median: $36,220Highest 10%: $75,130
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,320 | $16.50 | |
| 25th | $34,660 | $16.66 | |
| Median | $36,220 | $17.41 | |
| 75th | $40,990 | $19.71 | |
| 90th | $75,130 | $36.12 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $42,270 |
| San Francisco, CA | $39,670 |
| Napa, CA | $37,790 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $37,680 |
| Vallejo, CA | $36,870 |
| Salinas, CA | $36,350 |
| San Diego, CA | $36,260 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $36,100 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $35,810 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $35,630 |
| Oxnard, CA | $35,590 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $35,510 |
| Sacramento, CA | $35,510 |
| Hanford, CA | $35,240 |
| Modesto, CA | $35,100 |
| Riverside, CA | $34,840 |
| Stockton, CA | $34,770 |
| Merced, CA | $34,680 |
| El Centro, CA | $34,620 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $34,320 |
| Chico, CA | $34,320 |
| Fresno, CA | $34,320 |
| Redding, CA | $34,320 |
| Visalia, CA | $34,320 |
| Yuba City, CA | $34,320 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for bartenders.
| 17. Michigan | $36,780 |
| 18. North Carolina | $36,470 |
| 19. Rhode Island | $36,410 |
| 20. California | $36,220 |
| 21. Florida | $35,150 |
| 22. Utah | $32,150 |
| 23. Illinois | $31,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $17.41 ($36,220 a year).
Do bartenders make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $36,220 against $34,340 nationally, 5% more.
Where does California rank for bartender pay?
California ranks 20 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays bartenders the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $42,270 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.