Bartender salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Bartenders in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median of $37,290 a year ($17.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,480 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 4% lower than the Connecticut statewide median of $38,780. There are 4.2 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 25th percentile | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Median | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| 75th percentile | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| Average (mean) | $49,880 | $23.98 |
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 | $3,107.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,553.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,434.23 |
| Weekly | $717.12 |
| Hourly | $17.93 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $45,150 | 1,770 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $43,950 | 900 |
| New Haven, CT | $38,260 | 1,300 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $37,290 | 2,720 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| Dishwasher | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,180 | $16.44 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,080 | $28.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,780 | $21.53 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median salary for bartenders in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $37,290 a year, or $17.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn at least $81,480 a year. The top 25% earn $61,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,010 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $34,010 or less.
How many bartenders work in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
About 680 bartenders are employed in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.