Research Summary. After comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we present the latest insights into bartender server salaries by state across the United States for 2026:
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Hawaii boasts the highest bartender server salary at $49,378.
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Mississippi ranks lowest with a bartender server salary of $19,774.
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The national average salary for bartender servers is now $32,591.
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The national hourly pay for bartender servers is approximately $15.67.
For more information, check out our specific methodology.
Background
In surveys spanning various demographics, salary remains the foremost concern for job seekers. Many wonder, “How much do bartender servers earn in my area?” Understanding salary expectations is crucial, especially in the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry.
While individual earnings can vary based on factors such as experience and location, comprehensive data reflects average salaries for bartender servers across all states in America, segmented by seniority level. Although local conditions may differ, these averages provide a reliable framework for salary expectations.
As of 2026, Hawaii continues to lead with the highest salary for bartender servers.
Highest-Paid Bartender Servers By State
| Rank | State | Average Bartender Server Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $49,378 | $42,000 | $57,000 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $41,258 | $27,000 | $61,000 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $41,065 | $26,000 | $62,000 |
| 4 | Washington | $40,811 | $27,000 | $60,000 |
| 5 | Oregon | $39,883 | $27,000 | $58,000 |
| 6 | New York | $39,787 | $26,000 | $60,000 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $39,324 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| 8 | California | $36,921 | $24,000 | $54,000 |
| 9 | Vermont | $36,180 | $23,000 | $54,000 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $35,950 | $23,000 | $55,000 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $35,599 | $23,000 | $53,000 |
| 12 | Arizona | $34,047 | $23,000 | $50,000 |
| 13 | Idaho | $33,517 | $22,000 | $49,000 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $33,382 | $22,000 | $49,000 |
| 15 | Maine | $33,296 | $22,000 | $50,000 |
| 16 | Michigan | $31,510 | $20,000 | $48,000 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $31,400 | $20,000 | $48,000 |
| 18 | Maryland | $30,907 | $20,000 | $46,000 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $30,839 | $20,000 | $47,000 |
| 20 | Virginia | $30,000 | $20,000 | $44,000 |
| 21 | Nevada | $28,910 | $19,000 | $43,000 |
| 22 | Iowa | $27,593 | $18,000 | $41,000 |
| 23 | Montana | $27,541 | $18,000 | $41,000 |
| 24 | Colorado | $27,303 | $18,000 | $40,000 |
| 25 | Alaska | $27,159 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $26,744 | $17,000 | $39,000 |
| 27 | Delaware | $26,682 | $17,000 | $40,000 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $26,660 | $17,000 | $40,000 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $26,655 | $18,000 | $39,000 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $26,329 | $17,000 | $39,000 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $26,170 | $17,000 | $38,000 |
| 32 | Indiana | $25,776 | $17,000 | $38,000 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $25,690 | $17,000 | $38,000 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $25,616 | $16,000 | $39,000 |
| 35 | Missouri | $25,361 | $16,000 | $37,000 |
| 36 | Georgia | $24,564 | $16,000 | $36,000 |
| 37 | Texas | $24,379 | $16,000 | $36,000 |
| 38 | Kansas | $24,167 | $16,000 | $36,000 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $24,033 | $16,000 | $35,000 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $23,486 | $15,000 | $35,000 |
| 41 | Utah | $23,456 | $15,000 | $35,000 |
| 42 | Florida | $23,188 | $15,000 | $33,000 |
| 43 | Illinois | $22,700 | $14,000 | $34,000 |
| 44 | Ohio | $22,334 | $14,000 | $33,000 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $22,274 | $15,000 | $32,000 |
| 46 | Alabama | $22,026 | $14,000 | $32,000 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $20,937 | $13,000 | $31,000 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $20,666 | $13,000 | $30,000 |
| 49 | Tennessee | $20,134 | $13,000 | $29,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $19,774 | $13,000 | $29,000 |
Methodology: Bartender Server Salary By State
To analyze bartender server salaries by state, Zippia has gathered data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This information is supplemented with actual salary listings from job postings. The data science team then computes a weighted average of these inputs to establish average pay for bartender servers in each state.
We ranked states based on their average annual salary for bartender servers, identifying the state with the highest average salary as the top-ranked location.
Bartender Server Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for bartender servers?
The highest-paid state for bartender servers is Hawaii, offering an average salary of $49,378 per year.
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What city pays bartender servers the most?
Edmonds, WA provides the highest average salary for bartender servers at $40,981 per year.
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What is the worst state for bartender servers?
The state with the lowest average salary for bartender servers is Mississippi, with an average salary of $19,774 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
