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Head bartender vs bar back & bartender

The differences between head 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 head bartender and a bar back & bartender. Additionally, a head bartender has an average salary of $89,366, which is higher than the $24,129 average annual salary of a bar back & bartender.

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

Head bartender vs bar back & bartender overview

Head BartenderBar Back & Bartender
Yearly salary$89,366$24,129
Hourly rate$42.96$11.60
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs34,56157,420
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age3434
Years of experience22

Head bartender vs bar back & bartender salary

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

Head BartenderBar Back & Bartender
Average salary$89,366$24,129
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $168,000Between $14,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between head bartender and bar back & bartender education

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

Head BartenderBar Back & Bartender
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Head bartender vs bar back & bartender demographics

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

Head BartenderBar Back & Bartender
Average age3434
Gender ratioMale, 49.5% Female, 50.5%Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 64.0% 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 head bartender and bar back & bartender duties and responsibilities

Head bartender example responsibilities.

  • Direct bartending operations and manage inventory for the bar area.
  • Manage payroll and timekeeping including completion of proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
  • Input data for POS systems, including monthly inventory, and maintaining all POS systems.
  • Certify trainer, responsible for weekly bar inventory for restaurant purchases, highly focuse on upselling.
  • Handle all POS operations, including starting tabs, handling cash, closing the drawer, and accounting for all transactions.
  • Boost revenue significantly by upselling signature drinks.
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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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Head bartender vs bar back & bartender skills

Common head bartender skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Wine, 18%
  • Bartending, 10%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 6%
  • Craft Beer, 6%
  • POS, 6%
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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