Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between bar managers/bartender and caterers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a caterer has an average salary of $28,891, which is higher than the $25,051 average annual salary of a bar manager/bartender.
The top three skills for a bar manager/bartender include wine, bartending and cleanliness. The most important skills for a caterer are food service, kitchen equipment, and food delivery.
| Bar Manager/Bartender | Caterer | |
| Yearly salary | $25,051 | $28,891 |
| Hourly rate | $12.04 | $13.89 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 59,783 | 1,648 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A caterer is responsible for monitoring food preparation and presentation, ensuring the adequacy and accuracy of food stock based on the clients' specifications and guest count. Caterers often work with clients for special occasions and events, identify their needs, including the menu and nutritional requirements. They arrange food services from the dinnerware to choosing the appropriate staff to help with assisting the food preparation in the event's location. A caterer should maintain the highest sanitary standards at all times to guarantee the foods' safety, as well as showcase communication skills when responding to the clients' inquiries and concerns.
Bar managers/bartender and caterers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bar Manager/Bartender | Caterer | |
| Average salary | $25,051 | $28,891 |
| Salary range | Between $17,000 And $36,000 | Between $22,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Beverly, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | New York |
| Best paying company | - | The College of St. Scholastica |
| Best paying industry | - | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a bar manager/bartender and a caterer in terms of educational background:
| Bar Manager/Bartender | Caterer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between bar managers/bartender' and caterers' demographics:
| Bar Manager/Bartender | Caterer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.5% Female, 51.5% | Male, 43.0% Female, 57.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |