Bartender salary in Topeka, KS
Bartenders in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median of $27,860 a year ($13.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $16,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,580 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is about the same as the Kansas statewide median of $27,940. There are 4.0 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Topeka, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,520 | $7.94 |
| 25th percentile | $19,290 | $9.27 |
| Median | $27,860 | $13.40 |
| 75th percentile | $49,830 | $23.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| Average (mean) | $36,560 | $17.58 |
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 | $2,321.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,160.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,071.54 |
| Weekly | $535.77 |
| Hourly | $13.40 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $30,300 | 4,890 |
| Lawrence, KS | $29,980 | 470 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $29,000 | 210 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 310 |
| Wichita, KS | $28,540 | 1,300 |
| 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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $26,670 | $12.82 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,200 | $15.96 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,290 | $10.72 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,570 | $12.77 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Dishwasher | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $55,030 | $26.46 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,180 | $14.03 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Topeka, 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 Topeka, KS?
The median salary for bartenders in the Topeka, KS metro area is $27,860 a year, or $13.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $16,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Topeka, KS?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Topeka, KS metro area earn at least $67,580 a year. The top 25% earn $49,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Topeka, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16,520 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $19,290 or less.
How many bartenders work in Topeka, KS?
About 470 bartenders are employed in the Topeka, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.