Bartenders Salary in Kalamazoo, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

Median annual salary $43,150 +28.7% vs national
Median hourly $20.75
10th percentile $27,780
90th percentile $75,620
Employed locally 570
National median $33,530

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Bartenders
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Kalamazoo, MI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,780
    25th
    $29,860
    50th (median)
    $43,150
    75th
    $59,700
    90th
    $75,620

    Kalamazoo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 61% Median Bartenders salary is 39% 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 Kalamazoo, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,840
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,930
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,150
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,270
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,140
    Food Preparation Workers $30,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Kalamazoo?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Kalamazoo, MI is $20.75, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.40 or more per hour.

    Is Kalamazoo above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Kalamazoo, MI is 28.7% 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 Kalamazoo?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $27,780 per year in Kalamazoo, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,860.