How to hire a bouncer

How to hire a bouncer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step bouncer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a bouncer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new bouncer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a bouncer job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your bouncer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a bouncer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A bouncer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, bouncers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of bouncer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Bouncer	Description	Hourly rate
   Bouncer	Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.	$13-21
   Security, Shift Supervisor	A security shift supervisor is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the building premises and company assets. Security shift supervisors observe and report suspicious people and activities within the building, monitor surveillance, and write incident reports... Show more	$14-22
   Security/Customer Service	A security/customer service is primarily in charge of enforcing security protocols in business establishments to prevent theft and protect properties and individuals. Part of their daily responsibilities is to patrol areas, keep an eye out for any suspicious activities or behavior, monitor security systems and cameras, and conduct regular inspections... Show more	$11-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Front Door
   • IDS
   • Crowd Control
   • Bartenders
   • Safety Procedures
   • Local Law Enforcement
   • Club Rules
   • Dance Floors
   • Bartending
   • Conflict Resolution
   • Dress Code
   • VIP
   • Legal Compliance
   • Barback

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assite with bartending services as needed.
   • Assist with bartending during high business times.
   • Check ids to make sure every one of age in the facility.
   • Defuse any situations between the customers before they get out of hand.
   • Maintain a safe & secure area by enforcing rules & regulations while escorting ATM technicians.
   • Make sure customer where happy check ids break up any fights or arguments assure customers where safe

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your bouncer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A bouncer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, bouncers' average salary in louisiana is 53% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level bouncers earn 38% less than senior-level bouncers.
   • Certifications. A bouncer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a bouncer's salary.

   Average bouncer salary

   $35,781yearly

   $17.20 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level bouncer salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 23, 2025

4. Writing a bouncer job description

   A bouncer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a bouncer job description:

   Bouncer job description example

   Currently seeking a professional security personnel. Must be well spoken, level headed with a great attitude. Must understand that customer service, patron safety, employee safety, and de-escalation are top priorities.
   
   Your duties include, Welcoming our guests! Checking IDs, ensuring no one under 21 enters premises after designated times, alcohol awareness, refusing entry to intoxicated guests, assisting staff with guests, observing guests within the establishment, ensuring employee safety and walking staff to cars.
   Main security hours will be Weekend nights from 9pm - 2am
   
   Daily security shifts will be available based on need.
   
   Potential for TIp Pools on busy nights
   
   PAID WEEKLY
   
   Team outings and other AWESOMENESS
   
   Bonus and Giveaway opportunities during fun contests
   
   About Lookout Tavern
   
   Lookout Tavern is a brand new take on a modern social tavern coming to North Phoenix with a full menu, large center bar with 16+ beers on tap and an impressive cocktail menu. Two patios combined with roll-up garage doors create a cohesive inside outside experience. 50 HD TV's for Premium sporting event viewing, a game area with Darts, Shuffleboard, over-sized jenga and other social bar games lend to the relaxed atmosphere. A state of the art sound and lighting systems carries and drives the energy throughout the day and into the late-night. A dedicated DJ booth combined with our sound and lighting means our weekend nights will be unmatched anywhere in this region of Phoenix.
   
   830 E Greenway Pkwy #100 Phoenix, AZ 85022
   
   7th St & Greenway Pkwy
   
   Responsibilities Greet Guests! Be personable!
   
   ID guests and ensure legal drinking age
   
   Refuse entry to intoxicated guests
   
   Assist other staff with potentially intoxicated or unruly guests
   
   De-escalate conflicts on-premise and remove from property in a reasonable manner.
   
   Walk staff to cars after dark
   
   LOG security related items in daily log books
   
   Requirements
   
   1 year Previous experience in a security related position.
   
   Security Training or Certificates
   
   Positive attitude and excellent communication skills
   
   Working long hours on your feet in a crowded and energetic environment
   
   Benefits
   
   Team outings, Contests with prizes, FUN energetic environment. Working for an awesome Ownership and management team!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find bouncers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any bouncers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level bouncers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your bouncer job on Zippia to find and recruit bouncer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with bouncer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new bouncer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the bouncer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new bouncer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a bouncer?