Bartender salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Bartenders in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn a median of $26,210 a year ($12.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,970 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 6% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $27,980. There are 5.5 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,380 | $8.36 |
| 25th percentile | $20,910 | $10.05 |
| Median | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| 75th percentile | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,970 | $24.99 |
| Average (mean) | $30,910 | $14.86 |
Half of bartenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,184.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,092.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,008.08 |
| Weekly | $504.04 |
| Hourly | $12.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $30,540 | 100 |
| Birmingham, AL | $30,010 | 1,590 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $28,360 | 740 |
| Huntsville, AL | $28,210 | 850 |
| Mobile, AL | $27,980 | 570 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $27,730 | 190 |
| Dothan, AL | $27,420 | 190 |
| Montgomery, AL | $26,830 | 460 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $26,830 | 450 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $25,760 | 120 |
| Gadsden, AL | $23,700 | 120 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $20,940 | 380 |
Highest-paying states for bartenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $55,830 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 |
| Maine | $48,920 |
| Virginia | $47,070 |
| Vermont | $45,450 |
| Arizona | $45,070 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 |
| Oregon | $38,900 |
See Bartender pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $24,600 | $11.83 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,470 | $12.73 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,520 | $11.31 |
| Dishwasher | $28,160 | $13.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $20,900 | $10.05 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $21,860 | $10.51 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $68,830 | $33.09 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The median salary for bartenders in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area is $26,210 a year, or $12.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn at least $51,970 a year. The top 25% earn $33,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,380 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $20,910 or less.
How many bartenders work in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
About 400 bartenders are employed in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.