How to become a Bartender
Official title: Bartenders
Also called: Banquet Bartender, Bar Captain, Bartender, Mixologist
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
Main tasks
- Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
- Collect money for drinks served.
- Balance cash receipts.
- Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
- Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
- Attempt to limit problems and liability related to customers' excessive drinking by taking steps such as persuading customers to stop drinking, or ordering taxis or other transportation for intoxicated patrons.
- Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
- Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
How to become one
Bartenders typically do not need formal education credentials to enter the occupation. Most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18 years old. They typically learn their skills on the job.
Typical education to start: No formal educational credential
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Bartender.
- Licence: A licence is required in 11 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $34,340 a year The middle half earn $27,400 to $47,570.
- About 762,600 people work in this job now, and about 800,500 are projected by 2035. (+5%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Bartender?
Bartenders typically do not need formal education credentials to enter the occupation. Most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18 years old. They typically learn their skills on the job.
How much does a Bartender earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $34,340 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $27,400 to $47,570.
Is a Bartender a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 762,600 to about 800,500 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Bartender?
Usually not. Only 22% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Bartender.
Will AI change the work of a Bartender?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.