Food Service · Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
This profile is intended as career exploration guidance based on federal labor data. Actual job requirements, salaries, and opportunities vary by employer and location.
Entry Salary
$22–27k
First 1–2 years
Peak Salary
$87–102k
10+ years experience
Job Outlook
+5.9% · Faster than average
Projected growth of 5.9% from 2024 to 2034; about 130 openings projected per year.
Time to Start
1–2 years
College degree typical
Salary data sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, employer, and specialization.
Entry-Level Bartenders
Bartenders
Experienced Bartenders
Senior Bartenders
Director of Food Service
You prioritize Relationships
This career is strongly aligned with Relationships — a core work value that shapes how people approach their career decisions.
You're strong in Active Listening
Active Listening is a top skill for this career, and it plays to what students like you naturally do best.
Good fit for your timeline
This career typically requires short-term training (less than 1 year), which matches common student preparation goals.
Browse schools offering programs in this field
7 schools offer programs in this career field.
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