Bartender salary in Boulder, CO
Bartenders in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $42,520 a year ($20.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,040 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 11% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $38,170. There are 5.1 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| 25th percentile | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| Median | $42,520 | $20.44 |
| 75th percentile | $63,720 | $30.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,040 | $44.25 |
| Average (mean) | $53,010 | $25.49 |
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 | $3,543.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,771.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,635.38 |
| Weekly | $817.69 |
| Hourly | $20.44 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $46,290 | 1,210 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $37,700 | 1,720 |
| Greeley, CO | $37,680 | 510 |
| Pueblo, CO | $37,630 | 330 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $37,180 | 9,430 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $36,180 | 370 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $49,870 | $23.97 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Dishwasher | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,740 | $29.68 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $39,270 | $18.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for bartenders in the Boulder, CO metro area is $42,520 a year, or $20.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $92,040 a year. The top 25% earn $63,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,190 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $35,030 or less.
How many bartenders work in Boulder, CO?
About 970 bartenders are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.