Bartenders pay range in Boston
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $32,010 a year or less, while the top 10% make $73,890 or more. The middle half of bartenders in Boston earn between $34,470 and $50,400.
- $32K10th
- $34K25th
- $38KMedian
- $50K75th
- $74K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $46,040 | $3,837 | $22.13 |
| Median | $37,760 | $3,147 | $18.15 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $34,470 | $2,872 | $16.57 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $50,400 | $4,200 | $24.23 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Bartenders pay in Boston vs. Massachusetts and the U.S.
Bartenders in Boston earn about the same as the Massachusetts average ($45,120) and 13% more than the U.S. average ($40,790). At the median the gap is +10% against the U.S. median of $34,340.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $46,040 | $37,760 | $32,010 | $73,890 | 14,840 |
| Massachusetts | $45,120 | $37,440 | $31,890 | $70,870 | 19,850 |
| 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 Boston
On the average salary of $46,040, a single filer in Boston takes home about $37,191 a year, or $3,099 a month and $1,430 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in NH | $39,173 | $3,264 |
| Working in MA | $37,191 | $3,099 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.
Is Boston a good place for bartenders? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Boston area are 8% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.3), so the average $46,040 buys what about $42,525 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Boston ($66,620). A typical home costs $741,868, or 16.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Bartenders salary in other Massachusetts cities
Boston ranks 2nd of 6 Massachusetts metro areas for this job; Barnstable pays the most ($48,450).
- Barnstable$48,450
- Boston$46,040
- Amherst$42,770
- Pittsfield$42,310
- Worcester$41,400
- Springfield$41,310
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Bartenders salary in Boston: questions
How much do bartenders make an hour in Boston?
$22.13 an hour on average, and $18.15 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level bartenders salary in Boston?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $32,010 a year and the 25th percentile is $34,470, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the bartenders take-home pay in Boston?
About $37,191 a year ($3,099 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $46,040. Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.
Do bartenders earn more in Boston than elsewhere?
The average here is 13% more 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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH (14460). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.0%.
- 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). Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.13, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.