Bartender salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Bartenders in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $30,300 a year ($14.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,110 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $30,090. There are 4.5 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,240 | $12.14 |
| 25th percentile | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Median | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| 75th percentile | $44,060 | $21.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Average (mean) | $38,450 | $18.49 |
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 | $2,525 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,262.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,165.38 |
| Weekly | $582.69 |
| Hourly | $14.57 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $31,200 | 8,340 |
| Lawrence, KS | $29,980 | 470 |
| Springfield, MO | $29,120 | 950 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $29,000 | 210 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $28,630 | 250 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $28,600 | 280 |
| Columbia, MO | $28,600 | 680 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 310 |
| Wichita, KS | $28,540 | 1,300 |
| Topeka, KS | $27,860 | 470 |
| Manhattan, KS | $27,160 | 250 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,620 | $16.16 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,370 | $17.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,230 | $15.49 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| Dishwasher | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,810 | $14.33 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,820 | $17.22 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for bartenders in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $30,300 a year, or $14.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $62,110 a year. The top 25% earn $44,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,240 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $28,600 or less.
How many bartenders work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 4,890 bartenders are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.