Best cities for a bartender
The best cities for bartenders are Anaheim, CA, Gilbert, AZ, and Scottsdale, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for bartenders vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for bartenders in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a bartender or considering a move, this list of the best cities for bartenders to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for bartenders. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a bartender. While the absolute best city for bartenders is Anaheim, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for bartenders in 2024.
If you're looking for a bartender job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for bartenders in 2026
1. Anaheim, CA
Bartender jobs in AnaheimTotal bartender jobs: 32 Average annual salary: $32,200 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 1.39 2. Gilbert, AZ
Bartender jobs in GilbertTotal bartender jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $28,159 Lowest 10 percent warn: $16,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 0.82 3. Scottsdale, AZ
Bartender jobs in ScottsdaleTotal bartender jobs: 40 Average annual salary: $28,132 Lowest 10 percent warn: $16,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $46,000 Location quotient: 0.85 4. Long Beach, CA
Bartender jobs in Long BeachTotal bartender jobs: 22 Average annual salary: $32,226 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 0.79 5. Chula Vista, CA
Bartender jobs in Chula VistaTotal bartender jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $32,113 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 1.38 6. Portland, OR
Bartender jobs in PortlandTotal bartender jobs: 96 Average annual salary: $29,420 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 0.62 7. Mesa, AZ
Bartender jobs in MesaTotal bartender jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $28,145 Lowest 10 percent warn: $16,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $46,000 Location quotient: 0.56 8. Bakersfield, CA
Bartender jobs in BakersfieldTotal bartender jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $32,258 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 0.54 9. Tucson, AZ
Bartender jobs in TucsonTotal bartender jobs: 27 Average annual salary: $28,111 Lowest 10 percent warn: $16,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 0.53 10. New Orleans, LA
Bartender jobs in New OrleansTotal bartender jobs: 72 Average annual salary: $23,254 Lowest 10 percent warn: $13,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Location quotient: 1.73
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Best cities for bartenders
- Anaheim, CA
- Gilbert, AZ
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Long Beach, CA
- Chula Vista, CA
- Portland, OR
- Mesa, AZ
- Bakersfield, CA
- Tucson, AZ
- New Orleans, LA
Detailed list of the best cities for a bartender
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anaheim, CA | $32,200 | $19,000 | 351,043 | 32 |
| 2 | Gilbert, AZ | $28,159 | $16,000 | 237,133 | 9 |
| 3 | Scottsdale, AZ | $28,132 | $16,000 | 246,645 | 40 |
| 4 | Long Beach, CA | $32,226 | $19,000 | 470,130 | 22 |
| 5 | Chula Vista, CA | $32,113 | $19,000 | 267,172 | 9 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $29,420 | $19,000 | 639,863 | 96 |
| 7 | Mesa, AZ | $28,145 | $16,000 | 484,587 | 12 |
| 8 | Bakersfield, CA | $32,258 | $19,000 | 376,380 | 11 |
| 9 | Tucson, AZ | $28,111 | $16,000 | 530,706 | 27 |
| 10 | New Orleans, LA | $23,254 | $13,000 | 391,495 | 72 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $32,743 | $21,000 | 704,352 | 189 |
| 12 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $36,853 | $30,000 | 351,792 | 29 |
| 13 | Glendale, AZ | $28,198 | $16,000 | 245,895 | 5 |
| 14 | Louisville, KY | $23,924 | $14,000 | 597,337 | 59 |
| 15 | Henderson, NV | $23,149 | $14,000 | 292,969 | 14 |
| 16 | Chandler, AZ | $28,173 | $16,000 | 247,477 | 18 |
| 17 | Lexington, KY | $23,915 | $14,000 | 318,449 | 18 |
| 18 | Los Angeles, CA | $32,246 | $19,000 | 3,976,322 | 166 |
| 19 | Las Vegas, NV | $23,145 | $14,000 | 632,912 | 104 |
| 20 | Chesapeake, VA | $26,409 | $15,000 | 237,940 | 13 |
| 21 | Buffalo, NY | $31,838 | $19,000 | 256,902 | 18 |
| 22 | Reno, NV | $23,103 | $14,000 | 245,255 | 29 |
| 23 | Santa Ana, CA | $32,196 | $19,000 | 334,217 | 9 |
| 24 | San Diego, CA | $32,124 | $19,000 | 1,406,630 | 122 |
| 25 | Phoenix, AZ | $28,179 | $16,000 | 1,615,017 | 89 |
| 26 | Boston, MA | $31,739 | $17,000 | 673,184 | 102 |
| 27 | Denver, CO | $25,679 | $16,000 | 693,060 | 32 |
| 28 | Fresno, CA | $32,089 | $19,000 | 522,053 | 10 |
| 29 | Laredo, TX | $21,824 | $12,000 | 257,156 | 5 |
| 30 | Toledo, OH | $21,266 | $13,000 | 278,508 | 12 |
| 31 | Colorado Springs, CO | $25,711 | $16,000 | 465,101 | 57 |
| 32 | Orlando, FL | $22,874 | $12,000 | 277,173 | 64 |
| 33 | Saint Louis, MO | $22,141 | $13,000 | 311,404 | 89 |
| 34 | Newark, NJ | $33,337 | $18,000 | 281,764 | 13 |
| 35 | Detroit, MI | $24,297 | $15,000 | 672,795 | 40 |
| 36 | Durham, NC | $24,257 | $14,000 | 263,016 | 29 |
| 37 | Arlington, TX | $21,622 | $12,000 | 392,772 | 18 |
| 38 | Albuquerque, NM | $21,723 | $13,000 | 559,277 | 39 |
| 39 | San Antonio, TX | $21,780 | $12,000 | 1,492,510 | 82 |
| 40 | Norfolk, VA | $26,416 | $15,000 | 245,115 | 15 |
| 41 | Milwaukee, WI | $20,392 | $13,000 | 595,047 | 80 |
| 42 | Washington, DC | $30,238 | $17,000 | 681,170 | 129 |
| 43 | Charlotte, NC | $24,244 | $14,000 | 842,051 | 96 |
| 44 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $22,911 | $12,000 | 260,999 | 15 |
| 45 | Cleveland, OH | $21,285 | $13,000 | 385,809 | 33 |
| 46 | Fort Wayne, IN | $22,360 | $14,000 | 264,488 | 10 |
| 47 | Corpus Christi, TX | $21,781 | $12,000 | 325,733 | 6 |
| 48 | Sacramento, CA | $31,932 | $19,000 | 495,234 | 28 |
| 49 | Hialeah, FL | $22,804 | $12,000 | 236,387 | 3 |
| 50 | El Paso, TX | $21,964 | $13,000 | 683,080 | 13 |
Highest paying cities for bartenders
| Rank | City | Avg. bartender salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $32,743 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $32,246 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $31,869 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $31,739 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $30,238 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $29,420 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $28,179 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $27,103 |
| 9 | Portland, ME | $26,483 |
| 10 | Baltimore, MD | $26,306 |
| 11 | Colorado Springs, CO | $25,711 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $24,248 |
| 13 | New Orleans, LA | $23,254 |
| 14 | Las Vegas, NV | $23,145 |
| 15 | Tampa, FL | $22,909 |
| 16 | Columbus, IN | $22,407 |
| 17 | Atlanta, GA | $22,352 |
| 18 | Saint Louis, MO | $22,141 |
| 19 | Philadelphia, PA | $21,960 |
| 20 | Chicago, IL | $21,895 |
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Updated January 8, 2025