Bar back vs barmaid

The differences between bar backs and barmaids can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a barmaid has an average salary of $25,939, which is higher than the $25,316 average annual salary of a bar back.

The top three skills for a bar back include BARS, wine and cleanliness. The most important skills for a barmaid are drink recipes, non-alcoholic beverages, and beverage orders.

Bar back vs barmaid overview

	Bar Back	Barmaid
Yearly salary	$25,316	$25,939
Hourly rate	$12.17	$12.47
Growth rate	9%	18%
Number of jobs	56,369	79,746
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	39	34
Years of experience	-	2

Bar back vs barmaid salary

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

	Bar Back	Barmaid
Average salary	$25,316	$25,939
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $33,000	Between $19,000 And $33,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	-
Highest paying state	New York	-
Best paying company	El Camino High School	-
Best paying industry	Finance	-

Differences between bar back and barmaid education

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

	Bar Back	Barmaid
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Bar back vs barmaid demographics

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

	Bar Back	Barmaid
Average age	39	34
Gender ratio	Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%	Male, 4.8% Female, 95.2%
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, 6.6% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 4.0% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	6%	8%

Differences between bar back and barmaid 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.

Barmaid example responsibilities.

Provide seamless beverage service, managing inventory and operating POS terminal.
Enter orders into micros quickly and in proper sequence using appropriate modification and charges.
Assure the inventory of all the necessary mixes to prepare the drinks are ready and always available.
Recognize for consistent leadership skills and ability to maintain a positive and efficient team environment while maintaining high productivity and sales.
Recognize for consistent leadership skills and ability to maintain a positive and efficient team environment while maintaining high productivity and sales.

Bar back vs barmaid skills

Common bar back skills

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

Common barmaid skills

Drink Recipes, 35%
Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 12%
Beverage Orders, 6%
Serving Drinks, 6%
Food Orders, 5%
Bartending, 5%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
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Bar Back vs Barmaid

Updated January 8, 2025

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