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Bartender vs lead bartender

The differences between bartenders and lead 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 lead bartender. Additionally, a lead bartender has an average salary of $34,197, which is higher than the $26,362 average annual salary of a bartender.

The top three skills for a bartender include wine, bartending and exceptional guest. The most important skills for a lead bartender are wine, bartending, and cleanliness.

Bartender vs lead bartender overview

BartenderLead Bartender
Yearly salary$26,362$34,197
Hourly rate$12.67$16.44
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs57,51828,748
Job satisfaction4.67-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age3434
Years of experience22

Bartender vs lead bartender salary

Bartenders and lead bartenders have different pay scales, as shown below.

BartenderLead Bartender
Average salary$26,362$34,197
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $43,000Between $25,000 And $46,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WA-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyOTTO-
Best paying industryHospitality-

Differences between bartender and lead bartender education

There are a few differences between a bartender and a lead bartender in terms of educational background:

BartenderLead Bartender
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bartender vs lead bartender demographics

Here are the differences between bartenders' and lead bartenders' demographics:

BartenderLead Bartender
Average age3434
Gender ratioMale, 39.7% Female, 60.3%Male, 50.1% Female, 49.9%
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, 5.1% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 3.5% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between bartender and lead 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.
  • Show more

Lead bartender example responsibilities.

  • Operate POS system, handle cash orders, take phone calls, and are entrusted to manage to-go orders.
  • Manage bartending staff including coordinating work and scheduling.
  • Manage and organize deliveries of excessive wine orders and liquor inventory.
  • Conduct end of day procedures including counting petty cash, preparing and making bank deposits, and POS accounting.
  • Train bartenders on all aspects of the job from drink preparation and knowledge to building valuable customer relationships and upselling techniques.
  • Increase average check by upselling appetizers and beverages.
  • Show more

Bartender vs lead bartender skills

Common bartender skills
  • Wine, 23%
  • Bartending, 10%
  • Exceptional Guest, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 5%
  • Cash Handling, 4%
Common lead bartender skills
  • Wine, 27%
  • Bartending, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • POS, 5%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 5%
  • Fine Dining, 4%

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