📖 Read the bartenders salary & career guide →
Bartenders Salary in California
Ranked #16 of 51 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of bartenderss in California earn between $34,320 and $75,130. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean bartenders salary in California is $44,780, about 9.8% above the U.S. average ($40,790). That works out to roughly $22/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,270 | $50,890 | 2,790 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $39,670 | $50,970 | 10,260 |
| Napa, CA | $37,790 | $46,780 | 580 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $37,680 | $46,650 | 1,310 |
| Vallejo, CA | $36,870 | $44,310 | 450 |
| Salinas, CA | $36,350 | $46,550 | 830 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $36,260 | $46,900 | 8,740 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $36,100 | $43,240 | 560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do bartenders make in California?
The median bartenders salary in California is $36,220 per year (mean $44,780), and about 80% earn between $34,320 and $75,130.
How much do bartenders make per hour in California?
Roughly $22 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $44,780 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for bartenders?
California ranks #16 of 51 states for bartenders pay. Its mean salary of $44,780 is about 9.8% above the U.S. average of $40,790.
Which metro areas in California pay bartenders the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for bartenders are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,270), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($39,670), Napa, CA ($37,790), by median annual wage.