Bartenders pay range in Columbus
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $15,080 a year or less, while the top 10% make $51,110 or more. The middle half of bartenders in Columbus earn between $16,930 and $30,030.
- $15K10th
- $17K25th
- $21KMedian
- $30K75th
- $51K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $27,960 | $2,330 | $13.44 |
| Median | $20,940 | $1,745 | $10.07 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $16,930 | $1,411 | $8.14 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $30,030 | $2,502 | $14.44 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Bartenders pay in Columbus vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Bartenders in Columbus earn 8% less than the Georgia average ($30,330) and 31% less than the U.S. average ($40,790). At the median the gap is -39% against the U.S. median of $34,340.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $27,960 | $20,940 | $15,080 | $51,110 | 380 |
| Georgia | $30,330 | $22,830 | $15,840 | $53,310 | 14,600 |
| United States | $40,790 | $34,340 | $20,110 | $73,770 | 756,390 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Bartenders salary after taxes in Columbus
On the average salary of $27,960, a single filer in Columbus takes home about $23,988 a year, or $1,999 a month and $923 every two weeks. Taxes take 14% of gross pay.
The Columbus, GA-AL metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in GA | $23,988 | $1,999 |
| Working in AL | $23,556 | $1,963 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Columbus a good place for bartenders? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Columbus area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.3), so the average $27,960 buys what about $31,312 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbus ($43,540). A typical home costs $209,527, or 7.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Bartenders salary in other Georgia cities
Columbus ranks 13th of 14 Georgia metro areas for this job; Hinesville pays the most ($35,410).
- Hinesville$35,410
- Gainesville$34,020
- Dalton$33,070
- Brunswick$32,840
- Savannah$32,450
- Warner Robins$31,800
- Macon$31,750
- Valdosta$31,450
- Rome$31,250
- Columbus$27,960
Highest-paying cities for bartenders
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($91,360).
- Kahului, HI$91,360
- Honolulu, HI$72,660
- New York, NY$63,630
- Seattle, WA$62,090
- Portland, ME$60,600
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Bartenders salary in Columbus: questions
How much do bartenders make an hour in Columbus?
$13.44 an hour on average, and $10.07 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level bartenders salary in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $15,080 a year and the 25th percentile is $16,930, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the bartenders take-home pay in Columbus?
About $23,988 a year ($1,999 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $27,960.
Do bartenders earn more in Columbus than elsewhere?
The average here is 31% less than the U.S. average for this job ($40,790).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-3011; area Columbus, GA-AL (17980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.8%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.67, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.67).
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