Bar back demographics and statistics in the US
Bar back demographics research summary. Zippia estimates bar back demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our bar back estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about bar backs after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 8,513 bar backs currently employed in the United States.
- 11.0% of all bar backs are women, while 89.0% are men.
- The average bar back age is 38 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of bar backs is White (59.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (17.7%), Black or African American (10.0%) and Asian (6.4%).
- In 2022, women earned 96% of what men earned.
- 6% of all bar backs are LGBT.
- Bar backs are 80% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
On this page
Bar back demographics by:
Bar back gender statistics
11.0% of bar backs are women and 89.0% of bar backs are men.
- Male, 89.0%
- Female, 11.0%
Bar back gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 89.0% |
| Female | 11.0% |
Bar back gender pay gap
Women earn 96¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$26,029
Female income
$24,955
Bar back gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in bar back positions over time. Currently, 11.0% of bar backs are female.
Bar back gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 89.29% | 10.71% |
| 2011 | 90.31% | 9.69% |
| 2012 | 91.14% | 8.86% |
| 2013 | 91.33% | 8.67% |
| 2014 | 90.86% | 9.14% |
| 2015 | 90.73% | 9.27% |
| 2016 | 90.73% | 9.27% |
| 2017 | 92.12% | 7.88% |
| 2018 | 91.44% | 8.56% |
| 2019 | 91.38% | 8.62% |
| 2020 | 91.51% | 8.49% |
| 2021 | 88.97% | 11.03% |
Bar back related jobs gender ratio
We compared bar backs with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, banquet houseman and bus boy have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Lunchroom Worker | 4% | 96% |
| Lead Hostess | 6% | 94% |
| Dining Room Hostess | 7% | 93% |
| Bar Back | 89% | 11% |
| Preacher | 92% | 8% |
| Bus Boy | 95% | 5% |
| Banquet Houseman | 97% | 3% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Bar back demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among bar backs is White, which makes up 59.5% of all bar backs. Comparatively, 17.7% of bar backs are Hispanic or Latino and 10.0% of bar backs are Black or African American.
- White, 59.5%
- Hispanic or Latino, 17.7%
- Black or African American, 10.0%
- Asian, 6.4%
- Unknown, 5.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
Bar back race
| Bar back race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 59.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 17.7% |
| Black or African American | 10.0% |
| Asian | 6.4% |
| Unknown | 5.4% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 1.0% |
Bar back race and ethnicity over time
See how bar back racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Bar back race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 62.40% | 10.58% | 5.03% | 18.35% |
| 2011 | 62.15% | 11.41% | 5.81% | 16.79% |
| 2012 | 62.13% | 11.48% | 5.00% | 17.69% |
| 2013 | 61.10% | 10.93% | 5.41% | 18.18% |
| 2014 | 61.54% | 11.07% | 5.17% | 18.70% |
| 2015 | 60.92% | 11.83% | 5.44% | 18.06% |
| 2016 | 59.97% | 12.59% | 5.84% | 17.33% |
| 2017 | 60.99% | 11.14% | 6.15% | 17.15% |
| 2018 | 61.71% | 10.87% | 6.11% | 16.43% |
| 2019 | 62.38% | 10.36% | 5.69% | 17.17% |
| 2020 | 64.41% | 10.10% | 5.71% | 13.81% |
| 2021 | 59.46% | 9.99% | 6.42% | 17.67% |
Bar back wage gap by race
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $26,225 |
| White | $25,315 |
| Black or African American | $25,799 |
| Asian | $26,320 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $26,501 |
Average bar back age
See how the average age of bar backs varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Bar back age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 24.5 | 45.5 |
| White | 22 | 48.5 |
| Black or African American | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Asian | 33 | 52 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 35 | 46 |
Bar back age breakdown
The average age of bar backs is 40+ years years old, representing 49% of the bar back population.
Bar back age breakdown
| Bar Back Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 49% |
| 30-40 years | 16% |
| 20-30 years | 22% |
Bar back educational attainment
The most common degree for bar backs is bachelor's degree, with 36% of bar backs earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 34% and high school diploma degree at 18%.
- Bachelor's, 36%
- High School Diploma, 34%
- Associate, 18%
- Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 6%
Bar backs by degree level
| Bar back degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 36% |
| High School Diploma | 34% |
| Associate | 18% |
| Diploma | 6% |
| Other Degrees | 6% |
Bar back jobs you might like
Bar back wage gap by degree level
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $26,304 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $26,116 |
Bar back employment statistics
Most bar backs work for a private in the hospitality industry.
Company size where bar backs work
Below, you can see the size of companies where bar backs work.
Bar back jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 17% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 11% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 22% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 7% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 29% |
| > 10,000 employees | 13% |
Bar back jobs by company type
Employees with the bar back job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most bar backs prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Bar back jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 1% |
| Public | 17% |
| Private | 80% |
| Government | 1% |
Bar back jobs by industry
The most common industries for bar backs are hospitality, media and retail.
Bar back industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Hospitality | 49% |
| Media | 9% |
| Start-up | 6% |
| Retail | 6% |
| Manufacturing | 5% |
| Finance | 4% |
| Real Estate | 3% |
| Fortune 500 | 3% |
| Professional | 3% |
| Agriculture | 1% |
| Transportation | 1% |
| Government | 1% |
| Construction | 1% |
| Utilities | 1% |
| Non Profits | 1% |
| Education | 1% |
| Energy | 1% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Technology | 1% |
| Insurance | 1% |
Bar back turnover and employment statistics
Bar back unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for bar backs between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Bar back unemployment rate by year
| Year | Bar back unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 13.16% |
| 2011 | 14.12% |
| 2012 | 12.25% |
| 2013 | 12.21% |
| 2014 | 9.82% |
| 2015 | 8.87% |
| 2016 | 8.29% |
| 2017 | 8.02% |
| 2018 | 8.28% |
| 2019 | 7.80% |
| 2020 | 13.54% |
| 2021 | 12.10% |
Average bar back tenure
The average bar back stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 2,729 bar backs resumes in Zippia's database.
Bar back tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 42% |
| 1-2 years | 33% |
| 3-4 years | 8% |
| 5-7 years | 10% |
| 8-10 years | 3% |
| 11+ years | 3% |
Bar back LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of bar backs that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Cleaner | 5.37% | 35,476 |
| Bar Back | 6.11% | - |
| Food Service Coordinator | 6.78% | 79,537 |
| Shift Leader And Server | 7.02% | 145,084 |
| Party Host | 7.29% | 10,198 |
| Head Bartender | 7.68% | 34,561 |
| Bakery Manager | 8.43% | 97,468 |
Similar bar back jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Cleaner | 5.37% | 35,476 |
| Food Service Coordinator | 6.78% | 79,537 |
| Shift Leader And Server | 7.02% | 145,084 |
| Party Host | 7.29% | 10,198 |
| Head Bartender | 7.68% | 34,561 |
| Bakery Manager | 8.43% | 97,468 |
Foreign languages spoken by bar backs
The most common foreign language among bar backs is Spanish at 61.3%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is Russian at 5.0% and German is the third-most popular at 5.0%.
- Spanish, 61.3%
- Russian, 5.0%
- German, 5.0%
- French, 5.0%
- Portuguese, 2.5%
- Other, 21.2%
Bar back languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 61.3% |
| Russian | 5.0% |
| German | 5.0% |
| French | 5.0% |
| Portuguese | 2.5% |
| Other | 21.2% |
