Bartender salary in Connecticut
Bartenders in Connecticut earn a median of $38,780 a year ($18.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,760 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $34,340. Connecticut ranks 11th of 51 states for bartenders pay. There are 4.5 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 25th percentile | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Median | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| 75th percentile | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| Average (mean) | $51,020 | $24.53 |
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 | $3,231.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,615.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,491.54 |
| Weekly | $745.77 |
| Hourly | $18.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in cities in Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $45,150 | 1,770 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $43,950 | 900 |
| New Haven, CT | $38,260 | 1,300 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $37,290 | 2,720 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $37,290 | 680 |
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 |
Related jobs in Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,940 | $25.45 |
| Dishwasher | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,310 | $30.92 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Cooks, All Other | $37,190 | $17.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
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 Connecticut?
The median salary for bartenders in Connecticut is $38,780 a year, or $18.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of bartenders in Connecticut earn at least $81,760 a year. The top 25% earn $62,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,010 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $34,010 or less.
How many bartenders work in Connecticut?
About 7,680 bartenders are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.