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Bar back salary
Average bar back salary
$12.17
Average Bar Back Salary
The average salary for a bar back is approximately $25,316 annually, or $12 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on factors like location, experience, and the type of establishment. For instance, bar backs in upscale venues may earn higher wages due to increased demand for skilled support staff.
Salary Variations by State
Bar back salaries differ across states. For example, states with a high concentration of nightlife and tourism, such as California and New York, typically offer higher pay rates. In contrast, states with fewer urban centers may present lower salary averages.
Experience Levels and Pay
Entry-level bar backs may start with lower wages, but with experience, they can increase their earning potential. Experienced bar backs often see salaries rise, especially when taking on additional responsibilities such as inventory management or customer service.
Opportunities for Advancement
Working as a bar back can lead to various career paths within the hospitality industry, including bartender and management positions. This role provides valuable experience and networking opportunities, making it a strong starting point for those interested in a long-term career in hospitality.
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Where can a Bar Back earn more?
Bar back salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level bar back | $22,500 | $10.80 |
| Mid-level bar back | $28,000 | $13.48 |
| Senior-level bar back | $27,900 | $13.39 |
Average bar back salary by state
The average bar back salary in New York, Maine, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average bar back salary states are Alabama, Louisiana, and South Dakota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for bar backs
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $33,081 | $15.90 |
| 2 | Colorado | $27,756 | $13.34 |
| 3 | California | $29,208 | $14.04 |
| 4 | New York | $33,837 | $16.27 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $31,416 | $15.10 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $31,199 | $15.00 |
| 7 | Arizona | $25,014 | $12.03 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $27,721 | $13.33 |
| 9 | Washington | $29,877 | $14.36 |
| 10 | Idaho | $29,597 | $14.23 |
| 11 | Vermont | $30,565 | $14.69 |
| 12 | Ohio | $23,564 | $11.33 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $28,679 | $13.79 |
| 14 | Texas | $23,186 | $11.15 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $28,758 | $13.83 |
| 16 | Michigan | $23,995 | $11.54 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $27,690 | $13.31 |
| 18 | Hawaii | $27,915 | $13.42 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $23,040 | $11.08 |
| 20 | Oregon | $25,752 | $12.38 |
| 21 | Delaware | $24,109 | $11.59 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $26,099 | $12.55 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $22,747 | $10.94 |
| 24 | Florida | $22,690 | $10.91 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $22,190 | $10.67 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $22,412 | $10.78 |
| 27 | Maryland | $25,057 | $12.05 |
| 28 | Kansas | $21,974 | $10.56 |
| 29 | Nevada | $21,616 | $10.39 |
| 30 | Georgia | $22,502 | $10.82 |
| 31 | Montana | $24,082 | $11.58 |
| 32 | Indiana | $21,650 | $10.41 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $23,656 | $11.37 |
| 34 | Missouri | $22,042 | $10.60 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $22,350 | $10.75 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $21,871 | $10.51 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $22,169 | $10.66 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $21,471 | $10.32 |
| 39 | Illinois | $22,177 | $10.66 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $21,662 | $10.41 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $21,425 | $10.30 |
| 42 | Iowa | $21,048 | $10.12 |
| 43 | Alaska | $20,396 | $9.81 |
| 44 | Virginia | $21,090 | $10.14 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $19,298 | $9.28 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $20,791 | $10.00 |
| 47 | Alabama | $19,669 | $9.46 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $16,275 | $7.82 |
| 49 | Utah | $17,151 | $8.25 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $19,113 | $9.19 |
| 51 | Nebraska | $16,582 | $7.97 |
Highest paying cities for bar backs
The highest-paying cities for bar backs are New York, NY, Boston, MA, and Seattle, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $33,720 | $16.21 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $31,288 | $15.04 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $29,855 | $14.35 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $29,369 | $14.12 |
| 5 | Clifton, NJ | $28,967 | $13.93 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $27,761 | $13.35 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $25,158 | $12.10 |
| 8 | Glendale, AZ | $25,023 | $12.03 |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $23,967 | $11.52 |
| 10 | Saint Paul, MN | $23,627 | $11.36 |
| 11 | El Paso, TX | $23,297 | $11.20 |
| 12 | Columbus, OH | $23,245 | $11.18 |
| 13 | Green Bay, WI | $23,185 | $11.15 |
| 14 | Asheville, NC | $23,027 | $11.07 |
| 15 | Orlando, FL | $22,694 | $10.91 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $22,508 | $10.82 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $22,173 | $10.66 |
| 18 | Philadelphia, PA | $22,121 | $10.64 |
| 19 | Albuquerque, NM | $21,677 | $10.42 |
| 20 | Las Vegas, NV | $21,569 | $10.37 |
Bar back salary details
A bar back's salary ranges from $19,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $33,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a bar back's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 75th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| Average | $25,316 | $2,110 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
| 10th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
Highest paying bar back jobs
The highest paying types of bar backs are dining room coordinator, dining room hostess, and banquet houseman.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining Room Server | $29,540 | $2,462 | $14.20 | 99,079 |
| Room Service Server | $26,717 | $2,226 | $12.84 | 144,551 |
| Bus Person | $24,058 | $2,005 | $11.57 | 47,277 |
| Busser | $24,111 | $2,009 | $11.59 | 14,989 |
| Breakfast Attendant | $26,791 | $2,233 | $12.88 | 63,312 |
| Cafeteria Worker | $24,465 | $2,039 | $11.76 | 31,802 |
Top companies hiring bar backs now:
Which companies pay bar backs the most?
Bar back salaries at El Camino High School and Windmill Intl are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average bar back salary at companies like Legal Sea Foods and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Camino High School | $32,753 | $15.75 |
| 2 | Windmill Intl | $31,286 | $15.04 |
| 3 | Legal Sea Foods | $31,187 | $14.99 |
| 4 | Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | $31,151 | $14.98 |
| 5 | Hyatt Hotels | $29,737 | $14.30 |
| 6 | Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| 7 | Interstate Hotels & Resorts | $29,135 | $14.01 |
| 8 | Aramark | $28,228 | $13.57 |
| 9 | Fairmont Schools | $28,075 | $13.50 |
| 10 | Alkar Human Resources | $27,985 | $13.45 |
| 11 | Compass Group USA | $27,946 | $13.44 |
| 12 | Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise | $27,848 | $13.39 |
| 13 | Live Nation Entertainment | $27,494 | $13.22 |
| 14 | Marriott International | $27,285 | $13.12 |
| 15 | Viceroy Hotel Group | $27,162 | $13.06 |
| 16 | O'Connors Restaurant & Bar | $26,936 | $12.95 |
| 17 | Center for Families & Children Inc. | $26,778 | $12.87 |
| 18 | Smith & Wollensky | $26,775 | $12.87 |
| 19 | Twin Peaks Restaurants | $26,665 | $12.82 |
| 20 | The Black Sheep | $26,480 | $12.73 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Bar back salary trends
The average bar back salary has risen by $6,671 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average bar back earned $18,645 annually, but today, they earn $25,316 a year. That works out to a 24% change in pay for bar backs over the last decade.
Compare bar back salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average bar back salary over time
Compare bar back salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Bar back salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $25,300 | $12.17 | +6.2% |
| 2025 | $23,800 | $11.42 | +5.1% |
| 2024 | $22,500 | $10.84 | +5.0% |
| 2023 | $21,400 | $10.30 | +4.5% |
| 2022 | $20,400 | $9.83 | +4.6% |
Recently added bar back salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skyport Hospitality | Bar Backs-Elway's Taproom Denver International Airport | Denver, CO | 06/28/2025 | $39,256 |
| Daveandbusters | Bar Back | Richmond, VA | 06/28/2025 | $25,044 |
| Compass Group USA Inc. | Concession Bar Back (Full and | Houston, TX | 06/27/2025 | $27,131 |
| Compass Group, North America | Bar Back | Knoxville, TN | 06/27/2025 | $25,044 |
| Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort | Bar Back | Jackson, CA | 06/27/2025 | $34,436 |
| Omni Hotels & Resorts | Great Hall Bar Barback | Asheville, NC | 06/27/2025 | $25,044 |
| Accorhotel | Barback-Olympic Bar | Seattle, WA | 06/27/2025 | $45,914 |
| Accor Hotels | Barback-Olympic Bar | Seattle, WA | 06/26/2025 | $45,914 |
| Landry's | Bar Back | Charlotte, NC | 06/26/2025 | $31,305 |
| Landry's | Bar Back | New York, NY | 06/26/2025 | $22,957 |
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