Bartenders pay range in South Bend
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $16,650 a year or less, while the top 10% make $45,130 or more. The middle half of bartenders in South Bend earn between $19,880 and $34,160.
- $17K10th
- $20K25th
- $23KMedian
- $34K75th
- $45K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $28,530 | $2,378 | $13.72 |
| Median | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11.06 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $19,880 | $1,657 | $9.56 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $34,160 | $2,847 | $16.42 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Bartenders pay in South Bend vs. Indiana and the U.S.
Bartenders in South Bend earn about the same as the Indiana average ($27,780) and 30% less than the U.S. average ($40,790). At the median the gap is -33% against the U.S. median of $34,340.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend | $28,530 | $23,000 | $16,650 | $45,130 | 580 |
| Indiana | $27,780 | $22,770 | $17,050 | $45,000 | 12,880 |
| 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 South Bend
On the average salary of $28,530, a single filer in South Bend takes home about $23,796 a year, or $1,983 a month and $915 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
The South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in MI | $24,138 | $2,011 |
| Working in IN | $23,796 | $1,983 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
Is South Bend a good place for bartenders? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the South Bend area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.9), so the average $28,530 buys what about $30,724 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.5 times the median wage of all jobs in South Bend ($46,540). A typical home costs $238,866, or 8.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Bartenders salary in other Indiana cities
South Bend ranks 4th of 12 Indiana metro areas for this job; Indianapolis pays the most ($29,510).
- Indianapolis$29,510
- Columbus$28,970
- Elkhart$28,620
- South Bend$28,530
- Lafayette$27,340
- Michigan City$27,280
- Kokomo$27,160
- Fort Wayne$27,130
- Bloomington$26,810
- Evansville$26,360
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 South Bend: questions
How much do bartenders make an hour in South Bend?
$13.72 an hour on average, and $11.06 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level bartenders salary in South Bend?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $16,650 a year and the 25th percentile is $19,880, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the bartenders take-home pay in South Bend?
About $23,796 a year ($1,983 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $28,530. Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
Do bartenders earn more in South Bend than elsewhere?
The average here is 30% 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 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI (43780). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.9%.
- 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 (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.90, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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