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The differences between bartenders and bar managers/bartender can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a bartender has an average salary of $26,362, which is higher than the $25,051 average annual salary of a bar manager/bartender.
The top three skills for a bartender include wine, bartending and exceptional guest. The most important skills for a bar manager/bartender are wine, bartending, and cleanliness.
| Bartender | Bar Manager/Bartender | |
| Yearly salary | $26,362 | $25,051 |
| Hourly rate | $12.67 | $12.04 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 57,518 | 59,783 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.67 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 34 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A bartender is an expert in mixing and serving alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, either directly to customers at the bar or through waitstaff who place drink orders for dine-in or room customers. Bartenders should have a wide range of knowledge of drink recipes and be able to assess customers' needs and preferences to make recommendations. They should mix drinks accurately, quickly, and without waste. They are also responsible for checking the customers' identification to ensure they are of legal drinking age and monitor the level of their intoxication.
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.
Bartenders and bar managers/bartender have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bartender | Bar Manager/Bartender | |
| Average salary | $26,362 | $25,051 |
| Salary range | Between $16,000 And $43,000 | Between $17,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | - |
| Best paying company | OTTO | - |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | - |
There are a few differences between a bartender and a bar manager/bartender in terms of educational background:
| Bartender | Bar Manager/Bartender | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between bartenders' and bar managers/bartender' demographics:
| Bartender | Bar Manager/Bartender | |
| Average age | 34 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% | Male, 48.5% Female, 51.5% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 5.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |