Bartenders Salary in Modesto, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Modesto, CA

Median annual salary $34,670 +3.4% vs national
Median hourly $16.67
10th percentile $33,280
90th percentile $78,250
Employed locally 580
National median $33,530

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Bartenders
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Modesto, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,280
    25th
    $33,660
    50th (median)
    $34,670
    75th
    $37,760
    90th
    $78,250

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 44% Median Bartenders salary is 56% 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
    Ithaca, NY $49,940
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $39,650
    Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area $39,410
    Utica-Rome, NY $38,630
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,620
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $38,430

    Related occupations in Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $37,430
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,310
    Cooks, Fast Food $36,650
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,360
    Cooks, Restaurant $38,770
    Food Preparation Workers $36,320

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Modesto?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Modesto, CA is $16.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.78 or more per hour.

    Is Modesto above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Modesto, CA is 3.4% 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 Modesto?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $33,280 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,660.