Bartenders Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $29,650 -11.6% vs national
Median hourly $14.25
10th percentile $15,460
90th percentile $61,680
Employed locally 1,440
National median $33,530

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Bartenders
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Wilmington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,460
    25th
    $17,700
    50th (median)
    $29,650
    75th
    $47,320
    90th
    $61,680

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 40% Median Bartenders salary is 60% 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
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $45,220
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $44,740
    Winchester, VA-WV $41,100
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $38,430
    Lynchburg, VA $37,940
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $36,240

    Related occupations in Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $21,540
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,910
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,740
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,780
    Food Preparation Workers $31,750

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Wilmington?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Wilmington, NC is $14.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.84 or more per hour.

    Is Wilmington above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Wilmington, NC is 11.6% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $15,460 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $17,700.