Bartender salary in Cleveland, OH
Bartenders in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $33,470 a year ($16.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,060 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 8% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $30,880. There are 5.6 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,000 | $11.06 |
| 25th percentile | $25,220 | $12.13 |
| Median | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| 75th percentile | $43,350 | $20.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,060 | $35.12 |
| Average (mean) | $39,210 | $18.85 |
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 | $2,789.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,394.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,287.31 |
| Weekly | $643.65 |
| Hourly | $16.09 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $37,000 | 5,030 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,240 | 5,870 |
| Akron, OH | $31,120 | 1,530 |
| Toledo, OH | $30,820 | 1,480 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $30,450 | 810 |
| Lima, OH | $30,270 | 220 |
| Sandusky, OH | $30,130 | 710 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $30,010 | 240 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $29,830 | 1,680 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $29,520 | 850 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,280 | 570 |
| Mansfield, OH | $28,640 | 270 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $28,530 | 370 |
| Springfield, OH | $28,440 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,750 | $13.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,060 | $13.01 |
| Dishwasher | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,400 | $14.13 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $27,700 | $13.32 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,120 | $14.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for bartenders in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $33,470 a year, or $16.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $73,060 a year. The top 25% earn $43,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,000 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $25,220 or less.
How many bartenders work in Cleveland, OH?
About 5,750 bartenders are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.