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The differences between bar backs and bar managers/bartender 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 $25,051 average annual salary of a bar manager/bartender.
The top three skills for a bar back include BARS, wine and cleanliness. The most important skills for a bar manager/bartender are wine, bartending, and cleanliness.
| Bar Back | Bar Manager/Bartender | |
| Yearly salary | $25,316 | $25,051 |
| Hourly rate | $12.17 | $12.04 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 56,369 | 59,783 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 39 | 37 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A bar back performs various support tasks in restaurants and other dining establishments. They may assist bartenders and other staff by taking orders, serving drinks, monitoring inventories, re-stocking supplies, discarding the trash, and maintaining the cleanliness of different areas. They may also participate in opening and closing the establishment, replenishing items such as napkins and garnishes, conducting regular maintenance checks, and performing basic maintenance repairs as necessary. Moreover, as a bar back, it is essential to maintain an open communication line with co-workers, coordinating to maintain an efficient workflow.
A bar manager/bartender is responsible for handling daily bar operations to achieve the highest customer satisfaction. Bar manager/bartenders often interact with guests, responding to their inquiries and special requests, and immediately resolving service complaints. They also develop marketing strategies to attract guests by updating menu information and researching the latest market trends. Bar managers/bartenders also monitor inventories and stock supplies, coordinating with third-party vendors, and negotiating contracts with trusted suppliers. A bar manager/bartender must have excellent leadership skills and oversee the compliance of all staff to the bar regulations and safety standards.
Bar backs and bar managers/bartender have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bar Back | Bar Manager/Bartender | |
| Average salary | $25,316 | $25,051 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $33,000 | Between $17,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | - |
| Highest paying state | New York | - |
| Best paying company | El Camino High School | - |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a bar back and a bar manager/bartender in terms of educational background:
| Bar Back | Bar Manager/Bartender | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between bar backs' and bar managers/bartender' demographics:
| Bar Back | Bar Manager/Bartender | |
| Average age | 39 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0% | Male, 48.5% Female, 51.5% |
| 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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 5.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 10% |