Bartender salary in Massachusetts
Bartenders in Massachusetts earn a median of $37,440 a year ($18.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,870 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $34,340. Massachusetts ranks 14th of 51 states for bartenders pay. There are 5.5 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,890 | $15.33 |
| 25th percentile | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| Median | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 75th percentile | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Average (mean) | $45,120 | $21.69 |
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 | $3,120 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,560 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,440 |
| Weekly | $720 |
| Hourly | $18.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $43,530 | 890 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $37,760 | 14,840 |
| Worcester, MA | $35,950 | 1,830 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $35,680 | 4,510 |
| Springfield, MA | $35,610 | 1,000 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $35,390 | 450 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $35,300 | 480 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Dishwasher | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,540 | $33.43 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cooks, All Other | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,870 | $18.21 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for bartenders in Massachusetts is $37,440 a year, or $18.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of bartenders in Massachusetts earn at least $70,870 a year. The top 25% earn $49,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,890 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $34,200 or less.
How many bartenders work in Massachusetts?
About 19,850 bartenders are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.