Bartenders Salary in Lexington, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lexington-Fayette, KY

Median annual salary $30,110 -10.2% vs national
Median hourly $14.47
10th percentile $16,560
90th percentile $59,900
Employed locally 1,230
National median $33,530

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

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Bartenders
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Lexington, KY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $16,560
    25th
    $20,760
    50th (median)
    $30,110
    75th
    $45,050
    90th
    $59,900

    Lexington economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 43% Median Bartenders salary is 57% 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
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $30,460
    Rocky Mount, NC $29,860
    Sandusky, OH $29,230
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $28,910
    Kentucky $28,590
    Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $28,580

    Related occupations in Lexington, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,740
    Waiters and Waitresses $22,290
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,050
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,520
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,480
    Food Preparation Workers $26,980

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Lexington?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Lexington, KY is $14.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.52 or more per hour.

    Is Lexington above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Lexington, KY is 10.2% 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 Lexington?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $16,560 per year in Lexington, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,760.