Bartenders Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $34,750 +3.6% vs national
Median hourly $16.71
10th percentile $33,280
90th percentile $70,010
Employed locally 1,220
National median $33,530

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Bartenders
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Santa Maria, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,280
    25th
    $33,760
    50th (median)
    $34,750
    75th
    $38,770
    90th
    $70,010

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 36% Median Bartenders salary is 64% 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $36,960
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,340
    Cooks, Restaurant $43,320
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $46,290
    Cooks, Fast Food $37,010
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $34,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Santa Maria, CA is $16.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.08 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Santa Maria, CA is 3.6% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $33,280 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,760.