Post job

Bar back & bartender vs bartender server

The differences between bar back & bartenders and bartender servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a bar back & bartender and a bartender server. Additionally, a bartender server has an average salary of $32,591, which is higher than the $24,129 average annual salary of a bar back & bartender.

The top three skills for a bar back & bartender include wine, drink orders and excellent guest. The most important skills for a bartender server are bartending, POS, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Bar back & bartender vs bartender server overview

Bar Back & BartenderBartender Server
Yearly salary$24,129$32,591
Hourly rate$11.60$15.67
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs57,420106,784
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age3434
Years of experience22

Bar back & bartender vs bartender server salary

Bar back & bartenders and bartender servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Bar Back & BartenderBartender Server
Average salary$24,129$32,591
Salary rangeBetween $14,000 And $40,000Between $23,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City-Edmonds, WA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Earth Fare
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between bar back & bartender and bartender server education

There are a few differences between a bar back & bartender and a bartender server in terms of educational background:

Bar Back & BartenderBartender Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bar back & bartender vs bartender server demographics

Here are the differences between bar back & bartenders' and bartender servers' demographics:

Bar Back & BartenderBartender Server
Average age3434
Gender ratioMale, 86.1% Female, 13.9%Male, 33.8% Female, 66.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between bar back & bartender and bartender server duties and responsibilities

Bar back & bartender example responsibilities.

  • Organize weekly bartending classes open to the public, manage new applicants and test staff for speed and accuracy.
  • Manage bar staff and purchased/manage the wine and liquor inventory
  • Manage payroll and timekeeping including completion of proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
  • Negotiate bottle service pricing, ensure attentive service for VIP regulars and high-spenders.
  • Select to target VIP personnel base on continuous track record of outstanding customer support.
  • Need to know a wide variety of specialty cocktails during the day club and using micros.
  • Show more

Bartender server example responsibilities.

  • Use micros, handle money, give change, manage bar cost, keep good customer relations to gain repeat business.
  • Direct bartending operations, seamless beverage services, inventory management and customer service.
  • Provide efficient hands-on food and beverage delivery while successfully upselling food and beverage orders.
  • Optimize bar revenue by upselling drinks and facilitating repeat business by cultivating relationships to encourage repeat patronage.
  • Fast pace serving customers, bartender on occasion, put orders in micros and get people their checks in a timely matter
  • Experience utilizing POS system quickly and accurately.
  • Show more

Bar back & bartender vs bartender server skills

Common bar back & bartender skills
  • Wine, 50%
  • Drink Orders, 11%
  • Excellent Guest, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Bartending, 5%
  • Bar-Back, 5%
Common bartender server skills
  • Bartending, 15%
  • POS, 10%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 9%
  • Fine Dining, 7%
  • Drink Orders, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs