Bartender salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Bartenders in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $34,630 a year ($16.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,850 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 15% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $30,180. There are 7.6 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| 25th percentile | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| Median | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| 75th percentile | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,850 | $30.21 |
| Average (mean) | $40,150 | $19.30 |
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 | $2,885.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,442.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,331.92 |
| Weekly | $665.96 |
| Hourly | $16.65 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 1,470 |
| Lincoln, NE | $30,660 | 1,110 |
| Grand Island, NE | $28,910 | 260 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $23,750 | 430 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $22,340 | 2,200 |
| Iowa City, IA | $21,900 | 790 |
| Dubuque, IA | $21,720 | 460 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $21,600 | 790 |
| Ames, IA | $21,580 | 450 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $21,540 | 540 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,450 | $14.16 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $34,290 | $16.48 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,740 | $19.59 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,170 | $14.99 |
| Dishwasher | $33,810 | $16.25 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,710 | $15.73 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,240 | $29.92 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $48,070 | $23.11 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for bartenders in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $34,630 a year, or $16.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $62,850 a year. The top 25% earn $48,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,080 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $28,080 or less.
How many bartenders work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 3,790 bartenders are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.