How much does a bartender make in Raleigh?
$36,120a year
Median yearly pay for bartenders in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area. That is $17.37 an hour or $3,010 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.37
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 103 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 3,070
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $16,290Median: $36,120Highest 10%: $73,880
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,290 | $7.83 | |
| 25th | $22,310 | $10.73 | |
| Median | $36,120 | $17.37 | |
| 75th | $59,460 | $28.59 | |
| 90th | $73,880 | $35.52 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for bartenders.
| Virginia Beach, VA | $46,700 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,890 |
| Pinehurst, NC | $37,700 |
| Charlotte, NC | $37,390 |
| Durham, NC | $37,110 |
| Asheville, NC | $35,380 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $34,920 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $34,880 |
| Greensboro, NC | $34,550 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $33,800 |
| Hickory, NC | $31,860 |
| Burlington, NC | $31,170 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $31,000 |
| Greenville, NC | $30,190 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $27,740 |
Related jobs in Raleigh
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,190 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $46,020 |
| Cook | $37,460 |
| Cook | $36,280 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $34,860 |
| Food Server | $32,470 |
| Dishwasher | $31,300 |
| Cook | $31,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $29,890 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make an hour in Raleigh?
The median hourly pay in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $17.37 ($36,120 a year).
Do bartenders make more in Raleigh than the national average?
Yes: $36,120 against $34,340 nationally, 5% more.
How does Raleigh compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $36,470, so Raleigh pays 1% less.
Where does Raleigh rank for bartender pay?
103 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a bartender make starting out in Raleigh?
The lowest-paid 10% make $16,290 or less a year; the top 10% make $73,880 or more.
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.