Bartenders Salary in Detroit, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Median annual salary $38,730 +15.5% vs national
Median hourly $18.62
10th percentile $27,300
90th percentile $75,150
Employed locally 7,190
National median $33,530

Compare Bartenders salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Detroit, MI stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Bartenders
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Detroit, MI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,300
    25th
    $29,740
    50th (median)
    $38,730
    75th
    $59,920
    90th
    $75,150

    Detroit economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,123 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 52% Median Bartenders salary is 48% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Bartenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $80,040
    Urban Honolulu, HI $70,300
    Hawaii $68,820
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $65,480
    New York $60,750
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $59,390

    Nearby metros — Bartenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI $46,470
    Ann Arbor, MI $46,080
    Midland, MI $45,850
    Lansing-East Lansing, MI $45,330
    Flint, MI $45,130
    Traverse City, MI $44,520

    Related occupations in Detroit, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,490
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,120
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,440
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,950
    Food Preparation Workers $35,490

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Detroit?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Detroit, MI is $18.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.68 or more per hour.

    Is Detroit above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Detroit, MI is 15.5% above the national median of $33,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Bartenders in Detroit?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $27,300 per year in Detroit, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,740.