Bartender salary in Bismarck, ND
Bartenders in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median of $29,350 a year ($14.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,590 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Dakota statewide median of $29,040. There are 8.8 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $34,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Bismarck, ND
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,520 | $9.39 |
| 25th percentile | $22,550 | $10.84 |
| Median | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| 75th percentile | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| Average (mean) | $34,350 | $16.51 |
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 | $2,445.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,222.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,128.85 |
| Weekly | $564.42 |
| Hourly | $14.11 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $28,770 | 490 |
| Minot, ND | $28,610 | 340 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $28,390 | 1,380 |
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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bismarck, ND
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,310 | $15.53 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,190 | $21.72 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,300 | $13.61 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,310 | $15.05 |
| Dishwasher | $32,180 | $15.47 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Bismarck, ND
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 Bismarck, ND?
The median salary for bartenders in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $29,350 a year, or $14.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Bismarck, ND?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn at least $58,590 a year. The top 25% earn $37,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Bismarck, ND?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,520 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $22,550 or less.
How many bartenders work in Bismarck, ND?
About 620 bartenders are employed in the Bismarck, ND metro area, not counting the self-employed.