How much does a bartender make in Washington?
$48,030a year
Median yearly pay for bartenders in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $23.09 an hour or $4,003 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.09
- Vs. national median
- +40%
- Rank among cities
- 18 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 14,560
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,480Median: $48,030Highest 10%: $91,510
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,480 | $16.58 | |
| 25th | $37,070 | $17.82 | |
| Median | $48,030 | $23.09 | |
| 75th | $74,510 | $35.82 | |
| 90th | $91,510 | $44.00 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for bartenders.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,900 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $47,580 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $46,040 |
| Cook | $44,880 |
| Cook | $42,920 |
| Cook | $39,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $38,590 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,630 |
| Food Server | $37,540 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $37,260 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $23.09 ($48,030 a year).
Do bartenders make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $48,030 against $34,340 nationally, 40% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $53,920, so Washington pays 11% less.
Where does Washington rank for bartender pay?
18 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a bartender make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,480 or less a year; the top 10% make $91,510 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.