Bartender salary in North Dakota
Bartenders in North Dakota earn a median of $29,040 a year ($13.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,050 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $34,340. North Dakota ranks 30th of 51 states for bartenders pay. There are 9.2 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,850 | $9.06 |
| 25th percentile | $22,760 | $10.94 |
| Median | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| 75th percentile | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,050 | $27.43 |
| Average (mean) | $33,390 | $16.05 |
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 | $2,420 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,210 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,116.92 |
| Weekly | $558.46 |
| Hourly | $13.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in cities in North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $29,350 | 620 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $28,770 | 490 |
| Minot, ND | $28,610 | 340 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $28,390 | 1,380 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,890 | $14.85 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,490 | $18.99 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,010 | $14.91 |
| Dishwasher | $29,980 | $14.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $74,740 | $35.93 |
| Cooks, All Other | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $23,410 | $11.25 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for bartenders in North Dakota is $29,040 a year, or $13.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of bartenders in North Dakota earn at least $57,050 a year. The top 25% earn $35,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,850 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $22,760 or less.
How many bartenders work in North Dakota?
About 3,960 bartenders are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.