Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between bar managers/bartender and head bartenders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a head bartender has an average salary of $89,366, 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 head bartender are customer service, wine, and bartending.
| Bar Manager/Bartender | Head Bartender | |
| Yearly salary | $25,051 | $89,366 |
| Hourly rate | $12.04 | $42.96 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 59,783 | 34,561 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 37 | 34 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
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 head bartender is responsible for monitoring bar operations, assisting the bar staff, and ensuring the highest customer satisfaction by addressing the guests' needs and concerns. Head bartenders usually mix drinks, requiring them to have excellent knowledge of the drink mixing industry, experimenting on the menu, and researching current bar drinks to attract and meet guests' demands. The ultimate goal is to generate more revenues and bar patrons. They also monitor stock inventories, coordinate with the manager to request for supplies, and perform administrative duties as needed.
Bar managers/bartender and head bartenders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bar Manager/Bartender | Head Bartender | |
| Average salary | $25,051 | $89,366 |
| Salary range | Between $17,000 And $36,000 | Between $47,000 And $168,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a bar manager/bartender and a head bartender in terms of educational background:
| Bar Manager/Bartender | Head Bartender | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between bar managers/bartender' and head bartenders' demographics:
| Bar Manager/Bartender | Head Bartender | |
| Average age | 37 | 34 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.5% Female, 51.5% | Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5% |
| 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, 5.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 8% |