Bartender salary in Maine
Bartenders in Maine earn a median of $48,920 a year ($23.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,850 for the top 10%. That is 42% higher than the national median of $34,340. Maine ranks 5th of 51 states for bartenders pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 5.0 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,120 | $14.96 |
| 25th percentile | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Median | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| 75th percentile | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,850 | $48.01 |
| Average (mean) | $58,520 | $28.14 |
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 | $4,076.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,038.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,881.54 |
| Weekly | $940.77 |
| Hourly | $23.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in cities in Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $54,170 | 1,780 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $45,040 | 180 |
| Bangor, ME | $43,880 | 340 |
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 Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Dishwasher | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,360 | $17.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Maine
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 Maine?
The median salary for bartenders in Maine is $48,920 a year, or $23.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Maine?
The top 10% of bartenders in Maine earn at least $99,850 a year. The top 25% earn $75,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,120 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $34,800 or less.
How many bartenders work in Maine?
About 3,230 bartenders are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.