Bartender

Your Fit

Income

$34K

Preparation

Some

Growth

3.3%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Bartender?

Bartenders mix and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to customers. They are skilled in the art of drink-making and provide excellent customer service in various social settings.

Sample job titles:

Banquet Bartender, Bar Captain, Bartender, Mixologist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Bartender.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Bartender earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$20K per year	$26K per year	$34K per year	$47K per year	$72K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $16K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Bartender do?

Work environment

Bartenders typically work in bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels, and other hospitality venues. The environment is fast-paced and social, often requiring work during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Bartenders must be adept at handling busy periods and interacting positively with a diverse range of customers.

Quick task list

Mixes, garnishes, and serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Understands and adheres to local alcohol laws and regulations.
Maintains a clean and organized bar area.
Manages inventory and restocks bar supplies.
Interacts with customers, takes orders, and makes recommendations.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Mixologist: Specializing in creating innovative and complex cocktails.
Wine Specialist: Focusing on wine selection, pairing, and service.
Flair Bartending: Entertaining guests with acrobatic and juggling skills while preparing drinks.
Craft Beer Expert: Specializing in craft and artisanal beers, including knowledge about brewing processes.
Event Bartending: Catering to private parties, weddings, and special events.

Description

Bartending is a dynamic and interactive occupation that combines skill, personality, and customer service. Bartenders must have a thorough knowledge of drink recipes, the ability to multitask, and the dexterity to make drinks quickly and accurately. They are responsible for ensuring that customers have a pleasant drinking experience, which requires good communication skills and the ability to manage different customer personalities.

The role demands a high level of energy and the ability to work in a potentially loud and crowded environment. Bartenders also need to be mindful of responsible service of alcohol and be able to handle challenging situations, including the refusal of service when necessary.

A career in bartending can be highly rewarding for those who enjoy social interaction and the fast pace of the hospitality industry. It offers opportunities for creativity, especially for those who delve into mixology or specialty areas of drink service.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Crafting and serving a variety of beverages to appreciative customers.
Social interaction and building rapport with regular patrons.
The creative aspect of developing new drink recipes and presentations.

You might make a good Bartender if you are...

Social and enjoy interacting with people from all walks of life.
Detail-oriented, especially when it comes to mixing precise drink recipes.
Able to multitask and manage a busy workload efficiently.
Interested in learning about and serving a variety of alcoholic beverages.
Responsible and aware of the importance of alcohol safety and regulations.

Pros:

Opportunity to work in a social and dynamic environment.
Potential for high earning through tips.
Flexible work hours and the possibility of part-time work.

Cons:

Often requires working late nights, weekends, and holidays.
Can be physically demanding with long hours spent standing.
Dealing with difficult customers or situations involving excessive drinking.

How to become a Bartender

Typical education

Formal education beyond high school is not typically required, but bartenders often go through on-the-job training. Many have completed bartending courses or vocational training programs. Some states require bartenders to complete a state-approved alcohol awareness training program.

High school preparation

Courses:

Home Economics or Culinary Arts for an introduction to food and beverage.
Communication or Public Speaking to develop interpersonal skills.
Mathematics for handling transactions and inventory management.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Part-time jobs or internships in hospitality, such as restaurants or cafes.
Volunteering for events where food and beverage are served.
Joining drama or improvisation clubs to enhance performance and interaction skills.

Preparation after high school

Bartending or mixology courses from a vocational school or community college.
Certification in responsible alcohol service, as required by many states.
Entry-level positions in hospitality to gain experience in customer service.
Workshops or seminars on specialty areas like wine, craft beers, or cocktail creation.

More resources

National Bartenders Association - Offers networking and educational resources for bartenders.
BarSmarts - Provides online mixology training and certification.
Bartending Blueprint - Online resource for aspiring bartenders with training materials and tips.
The United States Bartenders' Guild - A professional organization offering networking, education, and competitions for bartenders.
Tales of the Cocktail - An annual event and resource for the cocktail industry, featuring seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.