Bartenders Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $22,270 -33.6% vs national
Median hourly $10.71
10th percentile $15,700
90th percentile $49,030
Employed locally 1,570
National median $33,530

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Bartenders
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Knoxville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,700
    25th
    $17,810
    50th (median)
    $22,270
    75th
    $36,640
    90th
    $49,030

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 32% Median Bartenders salary is 68% 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
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $28,880
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $23,180
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $23,170
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $23,110
    Clarksville, TN-KY $22,650
    Cleveland, TN $22,560

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,680
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,100
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,620
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,630
    Food Preparation Workers $30,920
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,760

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Knoxville, TN is $10.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.14 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Knoxville, TN is 33.6% below 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $15,700 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $17,810.