Bartender salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Bartenders in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $20,640 a year ($9.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,120 for the top 10%. That is 40% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 1% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $20,850. There are 4.4 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $24,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| 25th percentile | $16,190 | $7.79 |
| Median | $20,640 | $9.92 |
| 75th percentile | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Average (mean) | $24,630 | $11.84 |
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 | $1,720 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $860 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $793.85 |
| Weekly | $396.92 |
| Hourly | $9.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $21,230 | 4,200 |
| Hammond, LA | $20,650 | 220 |
| Monroe, LA | $20,060 | 200 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $19,990 | 520 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $19,770 | 700 |
| Lafayette, LA | $19,070 | 880 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $18,990 | 300 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $18,280 | 550 |
| Alexandria, LA | $17,840 | 160 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,650 | $11.37 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,330 | $13.14 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $24,450 | $11.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,910 | $14.38 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $24,740 | $11.90 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $22,430 | $10.78 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,230 | $14.05 |
| Dishwasher | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $21,640 | $10.40 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,540 | $16.13 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Cooks, All Other | $28,930 | $13.91 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for bartenders in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $20,640 a year, or $9.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $36,120 a year. The top 25% earn $28,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,080 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $16,190 or less.
How many bartenders work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 1,810 bartenders are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.