Bartender salary in West Virginia
Bartenders in West Virginia earn a median of $29,630 a year ($14.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,280 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $34,340. West Virginia ranks 28th of 51 states for bartenders pay. There are 4.8 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,900 | $9.57 |
| 25th percentile | $23,290 | $11.20 |
| Median | $29,630 | $14.24 |
| 75th percentile | $45,850 | $22.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,280 | $30.91 |
| Average (mean) | $37,910 | $18.22 |
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 | $2,469.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,234.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,139.62 |
| Weekly | $569.81 |
| Hourly | $14.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $48,030 | 14,560 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $41,640 | 240 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $33,620 | 670 |
| Charleston, WV | $30,900 | 350 |
| Morgantown, WV | $30,310 | 420 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $30,010 | 240 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,280 | 570 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $29,100 | 190 |
| Beckley, WV | $29,060 | 170 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $28,530 | 370 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,070 | $12.54 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,120 | $11.12 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,070 | $15.90 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,360 | $13.63 |
| Dishwasher | $26,460 | $12.72 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,420 | $11.74 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,150 | $13.05 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,440 | $13.19 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $21,640 | $10.40 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for bartenders in West Virginia is $29,630 a year, or $14.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of bartenders in West Virginia earn at least $64,280 a year. The top 25% earn $45,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,900 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $23,290 or less.
How many bartenders work in West Virginia?
About 3,340 bartenders are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.