How To Become A Bar Back: What It Is and Career Path

What is a bar back and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

When you go to the bar and have a drink, the person who cleans up after you is not always the bartender. They may be, in fact, the bar back, the person responsible for "bussing" the bar area.

However, the duties of a bar back don't stop there. Aside from keeping the bar clean, they also ensure that the bartender has what they need to run the bar efficiently: clean glasses, liquor, beer, garnishes, and other ingredients or equipment. Most bar backs also have opening and closing shift duties, including restocking the bar, cleaning up, and keeping track of inventory levels. Essentially, they are the bartender's sidekick--the one working mostly unseen to ensure an efficient service.

It doesn't take much to become a bar back. In fact, one can become a bar back with a high school degree or GED. Many establishments are also willing to take in newbies and train them on the job. However, an applicant must be physically fit as the job of a bar back often involves heavy lifting and moving about for hours on end. Soft skills like customer service, adaptability, and problem-solving are also important for many employers.

Since this is an entry-level position, bar backs earn minimum wage. But for many, becoming a bar back is the first step before becoming a fully-fledged bartender.

ScoreBar BackUS Average

Salary

2.0

Avg. Salary $25,316

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.2

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.09%

Asian 6.42%

Black or African American 9.99%

Hispanic or Latino 17.67%

Unknown 5.38%

White 59.46%

Gender

female 11.03%

male 88.97%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.1

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a bar back

Explore bar back education requirements

Most common bar back degrees

Bachelor's

36.4 %

High School Diploma

34.3 %

Associate

18.3 %

Start to develop specific bar back skills

Skills	Percentages
BARS	25.55%
Wine	23.93%
Cleanliness	21.32%
Bar-Back	12.72%
Excellent Guest	1.95%

Complete relevant bar back training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New bar backs learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a bar back based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real bar back resumes.

Research bar back duties and responsibilities

Manage bar revenues/process orders on computerize POS system.
Serve as bar-back to staff bartenders.
Plan out the seating chart and organize the bar reservations.
Bar back and run food for this company in Tallahassee during college.

Prepare your bar back resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your bar back resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a bar back resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable bar back resume templates

Build a professional bar back resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your bar back resume.

Apply for bar back jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a bar back job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do bar backs rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Bar back reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022

Pros

Connecting with customers/regulars, building a foundation and not only making money for myself, but my bar. Making sure everyone has an amazing time while I’m on the clock!

Cons

Bad management

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020