Bar back vs bar attendant

The differences between bar backs and bar attendants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a bar back has an average salary of $25,316, which is higher than the $24,295 average annual salary of a bar attendant.

The top three skills for a bar back include BARS, wine and cleanliness. The most important skills for a bar attendant are cleanliness, front desk, and quality standards.

Bar back vs bar attendant overview

	Bar Back	Bar Attendant
Yearly salary	$25,316	$24,295
Hourly rate	$12.17	$11.68
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	56,369	101,930
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 37%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Bar back vs bar attendant salary

Bar backs and bar attendants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Bar Back	Bar Attendant
Average salary	$25,316	$24,295
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $33,000	Between $18,000 And $31,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Urban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying state	New York	Maine
Best paying company	El Camino High School	HEI Hotels & Resorts
Best paying industry	Finance	Retail

Differences between bar back and bar attendant education

There are a few differences between a bar back and a bar attendant in terms of educational background:

	Bar Back	Bar Attendant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 37%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Bar back vs bar attendant demographics

Here are the differences between bar backs' and bar attendants' demographics:

	Bar Back	Bar Attendant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%	Male, 35.2% Female, 64.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between bar back and bar attendant duties and responsibilities

Bar back example 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.
Clean tables and run food to tables while ensuring a good customer experience.
Charge with replenishing and cleaning keg coolers, liquor pump rooms and CO2 area.

Bar attendant example responsibilities.

Maintain cleanliness and organization of designate work areas.
Maintain cleanliness, sanitation and organize assigned work areas.
Keep records on individual pet, including daily observations and information activities perform, meals sever, and medication administer.
Set up the VIP area.
Check IDs.Security.Make judgment calls.handle bar responsibilities.greet guest in a professional respectable manner.handle and count money.

Bar back vs bar attendant skills

Common bar back skills

BARS, 26%
Wine, 24%
Cleanliness, 21%
Bar-Back, 13%
Excellent Guest, 2%
Fresh Fruit, 2%

Common bar attendant skills

Cleanliness, 25%
Front Desk, 16%
Quality Standards, 14%
Guest Satisfaction, 12%
Clean Tables, 6%
Cash Handling, 4%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Bar Back
Bar Back vs Bar Attendant

Updated January 8, 2025

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