Bartender salary in Helena, MT
Bartenders in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $26,210 a year ($12.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $29,840 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 1% higher than the Montana statewide median of $26,010. There are 8.8 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $27,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,980 | $10.57 |
| 25th percentile | $22,490 | $10.81 |
| Median | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| 75th percentile | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| Average (mean) | $27,080 | $13.02 |
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 | $2,184.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,092.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,008.08 |
| Weekly | $504.04 |
| Hourly | $12.60 |
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 |
| Missoula, MT | $25,990 | 630 |
| Great Falls, MT | $25,310 | 400 |
| Billings, MT | $23,550 | 780 |
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 Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,030 | $18.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,090 | $21.68 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Dishwasher | $29,750 | $14.30 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,150 | $11.13 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,510 | $27.65 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Helena, 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 Helena, MT?
The median salary for bartenders in the Helena, MT metro area is $26,210 a year, or $12.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $29,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $29,840 a year. The top 25% earn $28,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,980 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $22,490 or less.
How many bartenders work in Helena, MT?
About 390 bartenders are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.