Bartenders pay range in Hickory
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $15,780 a year or less, while the top 10% make $62,570 or more. The middle half of bartenders in Hickory earn between $19,620 and $47,620.
- $16K10th
- $20K25th
- $32KMedian
- $48K75th
- $63K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $38,030 | $3,169 | $18.28 |
| Median | $31,860 | $2,655 | $15.32 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $19,620 | $1,635 | $9.43 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $47,620 | $3,968 | $22.89 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Bartenders pay in Hickory vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Bartenders in Hickory earn 8% less than the North Carolina average ($41,200) and 7% less than the U.S. average ($40,790). At the median the gap is -7% against the U.S. median of $34,340.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory | $38,030 | $31,860 | $15,780 | $62,570 | 530 |
| North Carolina | $41,200 | $36,470 | $16,180 | $74,450 | 20,070 |
| 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 Hickory
On the average salary of $38,030, a single filer in Hickory takes home about $31,728 a year, or $2,644 a month and $1,220 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Hickory a good place for bartenders? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Hickory area are 12% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.5), so the average $38,030 buys what about $42,979 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Hickory ($45,220). A typical home costs $271,739, or 7.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Bartenders salary in other North Carolina cities
Hickory ranks 11th of 15 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Wilmington pays the most ($43,400).
- Wilmington$43,400
- Charlotte$43,270
- Pinehurst$42,630
- Durham$42,080
- Raleigh$41,500
- Winston-Salem$40,710
- Asheville$40,220
- Rocky Mount$39,290
- Burlington$39,140
- Hickory$38,030
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 Hickory: questions
How much do bartenders make an hour in Hickory?
$18.28 an hour on average, and $15.32 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level bartenders salary in Hickory?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $15,780 a year and the 25th percentile is $19,620, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the bartenders take-home pay in Hickory?
About $31,728 a year ($2,644 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $38,030.
Do bartenders earn more in Hickory than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (25860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.9%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.70, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.70).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.