Bartenders Salary in Salinas, CA

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

Median annual salary $35,570 +6.1% vs national
Median hourly $17.10
10th percentile $33,930
90th percentile $78,020
Employed locally 850
National median $33,530

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Bartenders
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,930
    25th
    $34,680
    50th (median)
    $35,570
    75th
    $54,380
    90th
    $78,020

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 38% Median Bartenders salary is 62% 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 Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$37,440
    Waiters and Waitresses$35,390
    Cooks, Restaurant$44,490
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$47,460
    Cooks, Fast Food$37,960
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$35,360

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Salinas?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Salinas, CA is $17.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.01 or more per hour.

    Is Salinas above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Salinas, CA is 6.1% 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $33,930 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,680.