Bartender salary in Billings, MT
Bartenders in the Billings, MT metro area earn a median of $23,550 a year ($11.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $30,520 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 9% lower than the Montana statewide median of $26,010. There are 8.3 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $26,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Billings, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,940 | $10.55 |
| 25th percentile | $22,360 | $10.75 |
| Median | $23,550 | $11.32 |
| 75th percentile | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $30,520 | $14.67 |
| Average (mean) | $26,770 | $12.87 |
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 | $1,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $981.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $905.77 |
| Weekly | $452.88 |
| Hourly | $11.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $27,040 | 740 |
| Helena, MT | $26,210 | 390 |
| Missoula, MT | $25,990 | 630 |
| Great Falls, MT | $25,310 | 400 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Billings, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,940 | $11.03 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,550 | $14.69 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,590 | $16.63 |
| Dishwasher | $31,450 | $15.12 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,700 | $18.12 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,180 | $12.59 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,200 | $28.94 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Billings, MT
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 Billings, MT?
The median salary for bartenders in the Billings, MT metro area is $23,550 a year, or $11.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $30,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Billings, MT?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Billings, MT metro area earn at least $30,520 a year. The top 25% earn $28,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Billings, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,940 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $22,360 or less.
How many bartenders work in Billings, MT?
About 780 bartenders are employed in the Billings, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.