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Bartender vs bar back & bartender

The differences between bartenders and bar back & bartenders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a bartender and a bar back & bartender. Additionally, a bartender has an average salary of $26,362, which is higher than the $24,129 average annual salary of a bar back & bartender.

The top three skills for a bartender include wine, bartending and exceptional guest. The most important skills for a bar back & bartender are wine, drink orders, and excellent guest.

Bartender vs bar back & bartender overview

BartenderBar Back & Bartender
Yearly salary$26,362$24,129
Hourly rate$12.67$11.60
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs57,51857,420
Job satisfaction4.67-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age3434
Years of experience22

Bartender vs bar back & bartender salary

Bartenders and bar back & bartenders have different pay scales, as shown below.

BartenderBar Back & Bartender
Average salary$26,362$24,129
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $43,000Between $14,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WA-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyOTTO-
Best paying industryHospitality-

Differences between bartender and bar back & bartender education

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

BartenderBar Back & Bartender
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bartender vs bar back & bartender demographics

Here are the differences between bartenders' and bar back & bartenders' demographics:

BartenderBar Back & Bartender
Average age3434
Gender ratioMale, 39.7% Female, 60.3%Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 3.7% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between bartender and bar back & bartender duties and responsibilities

Bartender example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage all new bartenders achieving significant results in their productivity and knowledge.
  • Manage bar and staff, tend bar, DJ and operate karaoke equipment.
  • Manage and promote company Facebook account.
  • Provide seamless beverage service, managing inventory and operating POS terminal.
  • Manage payroll and timekeeping including completion of proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
  • Direct bartending operations, overseeing beverage service, scheduling, inventory management and customer service.
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Bar back & bartender example responsibilities.

  • Organize weekly bartending classes open to the public, manage new applicants and test staff for speed and accuracy.
  • Manage bar staff and purchased/manage the wine and liquor inventory
  • Manage payroll and timekeeping including completion of proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
  • Negotiate bottle service pricing, ensure attentive service for VIP regulars and high-spenders.
  • Select to target VIP personnel base on continuous track record of outstanding customer support.
  • Need to know a wide variety of specialty cocktails during the day club and using micros.
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Bartender vs bar back & bartender skills

Common bartender skills
  • Wine, 23%
  • Bartending, 10%
  • Exceptional Guest, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 5%
  • Cash Handling, 4%
Common bar back & bartender skills
  • Wine, 50%
  • Drink Orders, 11%
  • Excellent Guest, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Bartending, 5%
  • Bar-Back, 5%

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