Not sure how much you can (or should) earn when working as a Barback? We’ve put together a Barback salary guide to help you out.
With Barbacks earning an average salary of $31,688 per year plus tips, our guide discusses the different factors that affect your overall pay, Barback salaries in specific locations in the United States (U.S.) and more.
While you’re at it, why not try out the comparison tool below? It’s designed to help you determine how your current or desired Barback salary stands in major cities.
What could I earn?
Find out how your salary compares to the average Barback salary.
Average Barback Base Salary:
What can I earn as Barback?Your salary is $0.00 on the US national average.
$15.23
Market Average$15.23
Your salary$15.23
$5.00$10.00$20.00
How Much Does a Barback Make?
Using our salary estimate methodology, we’ve determined the average Barback salary in the U.S. to be $31,688 base plus tips per year.
How Much Do Barbacks Earn Per Month?
The average monthly Barback salary is $2,640.67.
How Much Does a Barback Make Weekly?
On average, Barbacks earn approximately $609.20 per week.
How Much Does a Barback Earn Hourly?
Most Barbacks receive their pay through hourly wages. That said, their average wage is $15.23 base plus tips per hour.
Although a Barback is considered a tipped position, they don’t usually receive tips directly from guests. Instead, they would often get a share through a tip-out (or tip-sharing) arrangement.
In the case of Barbacks, a tip-out arrangement is when the Bartender shares a portion of their tips with the Barback who assisted them. However, this is generally a voluntary set-up in most workplaces and would depend on the Bartender’s discretion.
A tip pool is another for Barbacks to earn tips. Through this arrangement, tips are combined and then distributed among a group of employees. In the context of the hospitality industry, tips are distributed among front-of-house staff, which includes Barbacks.
Barback Salaries Across the US
Although we’ve mentioned the national average Barback salary, there are also the location-specific average salaries — which significantly vary throughout the country.
Below is a table showing the Barback salary averages in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $33,198 |
| Massachusetts | $32,996 |
| Hawaii | $32,097 |
| Connecticut | $31,371 |
| District of Columbia | $30,595 |
| New York | $30,421 |
| Washington | $29,328 |
| Indiana | $29,264 |
| Iowa | $28,836 |
| Maryland | $28,579 |
| Rhode Island | $28,181 |
| Colorado | $28,159 |
| Maine | $27,980 |
| North Dakota | $27,488 |
| Illinois | $27,269 |
| Minnesota | $27,004 |
| Oregon | $26,885 |
| New Jersey | $26,881 |
| Vermont | $26,821 |
| Alaska | $26,707 |
| Louisiana | $26,694 |
| Florida | $26,497 |
| Georgia | $26,004 |
| Michigan | $25,796 |
| Texas | $25,635 |
| New Hampshire | $25,450 |
| South Carolina | $25,204 |
| Kentucky | $25,195 |
| Delaware | $25,184 |
| Arizona | $24,768 |
| Missouri | $24,742 |
| Virginia | $24,702 |
| Wisconsin | $24,485 |
| Idaho | $24,477 |
| Pennsylvania | $24,443 |
| Nevada | $24,388 |
| Oklahoma | $24,356 |
| Tennessee | $24,187 |
| North Carolina | $23,915 |
| Montana | $23,774 |
| Utah | $23,753 |
| Kansas | $23,641 |
| Ohio | $23,456 |
| South Dakota | $23,086 |
| Wyoming | $22,656 |
| Mississippi | $22,633 |
| New Mexico | $22,551 |
| Alabama | $22,424 |
| Arkansas | $21,969 |
| West Virginia | $21,902 |
| Nebraska | $21,571 |
As you can see, Barbacks in places like California, Massachusetts and Hawaii tend to earn more than the national average. This is mainly due to the higher living costs in these states. In fact, a recent Forbes report cites these three states as the most expensive places to live in the U.S.
That said, employers here are more likely to offer Barbacks a salary or wage that matches the cost of living in their area. Meanwhile, Barbacks might earn relatively modest salaries in states with lower costs of living, such as Nebraska and West Virginia.
Barback Wages in Major US Cities
Out of the four cities shown below, NYC offers the highest Barback salary, followed by Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago.
Miami
Average Hourly Wage
$13.70 + tips
New York City
Average Hourly Wage
$15.37 + tips
Chicago
Average Hourly Wage
$13.11 + tips
Los Angeles
Average Hourly Wage
$14.40 + tips
[Calculated using ZipRecruiter, Salary.com, Glassdoor and Talent.com data]
7 Factors That Influence Barback Salary
Aside from geographic location and living costs, several other factors often affect how much a Barback makes.
So, let’s take a look at each of these additional factors.
1. Level of experience and training
While the role is an entry-level one, Barbacks with previous experience working in a bar or similar setting are likely to receive higher pay than complete beginners. This is because such Barbacks have already received some on-the-job training, which most establishments would find valuable.
Bartenders often obtain a TIPS certification to prove they’ve received training in responsible alcohol service. Barbacks can do the same to increase their chances of getting hired, starting salary and opportunity for career progress.
TIPS programs are designed to comply with local laws and regulations regarding alcohol service in each U.S. state.
2. Shifts and schedules
Since Barbacks are typically paid hourly wages, the number of shifts — as well as the length of each shift — they work would determine how much they make each week or month.
A Barback’s shift usually lasts between four and eight hours, though this also depends on the establishment’s staff scheduling.
In some cases, the number of shifts a Barback can work in a week depends on how many staff members are needed on particular days. For example, a Bar Manager often requires more Barbacks to work on Friday and Saturday nights due to a higher influx of patrons.
3. Tips
As mentioned in an earlier section, Barbacks often get tips either through a tip-sharing or a tip-pooling arrangement — which may also increase their overall earnings.
However, keep in mind that they don’t directly receive tips as frequently as Bartenders and Waiters/Waitresses, which are the more customer-facing roles.
This means the amount that a Barback makes in tips may not be as high as those who work in these other positions.
4. Location of establishment
Barbacks who work in areas with increased foot traffic (whether it’s due to tourists, residents or both) may receive higher pay.
Establishments in such areas are more likely to offer better wages for Barbacks who can assist in servicing a larger number of customers.
5. Type of establishment
Upscale nightclubs and bars, as well as high-volume restaurants, tend to pay competitive wages to their Barbacks.
This is often due to their need for more Barbacks to help cater to their clientele.
6. Scope of responsibilities
Barbacks with a more extensive scope of responsibilities — especially those beyond the typical barbacking tasks — could earn higher wages.
Employers tend to place more value on Barbacks who can (and are willing to) take on additional work when assisting the Bartender. This is particularly applicable to establishments with higher standards or more complex standard operating procedures.
7. Negotiation skills
Although Barbacks hold an entry-level role, they might still be able to secure higher pay through effective negotiation during the hiring process or even during performance reviews.
Either way, they’ll need to articulate how their skills and experience can contribute to the establishment’s overall success.
However, it’s worth noting that this factor is generally applicable only to Barbacks who have prior relevant experience — not so much to complete beginners.
Benefits and Perks That Barbacks Often Receive
Besides salary and tips, a Barback’s overall compensation package also includes benefits and perks. These benefits and perks are designed to enhance job satisfaction and work-life balance, support professional growth and help shoulder personal expenses.
In most establishments, the set of benefits and perks for Barbacks typically depends on whether they’re full-time employees or not (e.g., part-time, seasonal or temporary).
Below are the most common perks and benefits for Barbacks in the U.S.
- Healthcare benefits: Alternatively called “health insurance” or “healthcare coverage,” these include medical, dental and vision insurance.
- Personal risk insurance: Similar to healthcare benefits, this is designed to protect employees’ health while also providing financial protection. A personal risk insurance package often includes coverage for disabilities, critical illnesses and accidents.
- Flexible scheduling: Some bars and restaurants offer flexible scheduling options to Barbacks, so they can adjust their work hours around personal commitments and preferences.
- Paid time off: This includes vacation leaves and sick days, both of which allow Barbacks to take breaks and recharge as needed.
- Employee discounts: Barbacks may receive discounts on meals, beverages or other services offered by the establishment or company that they work for.
- 401(k) plan: A 401(k) allows Barbacks to save and invest a portion of their earnings towards long-term savings for retirement. 401(k) contributions are typically deducted directly from their paycheck before taxes are withheld, which could also help reduce current taxable income.
- Employee assistance program (EAP): This workplace-based program assists employees with personal issues that may negatively affect their performance and overall well-being. EAPs usually include confidential counseling, crisis intervention, work-life balance support and referrals to third-party support services or community resources.
- Commuter benefits: Barbacks working in major metropolitan areas are highly likely to receive these. Otherwise called “transit benefits,” these are employer-sponsored programs that help with the cost of an employee’s commute to and from work via public transportation or certain other modes of transportation.
- Training and development opportunities: In the case of Barbacks, these typically include opportunities to participate in skills development workshops as well as alcohol server training sessions.
- Uniform allowance or reimbursement: Most establishments that require Barbacks to wear a uniform would provide allowance or reimbursement to cover the expenses for buying and maintaining uniforms.
How Much Do Careers Similar to a Barback Get Paid?
Barbacks in the U.S. tend to get higher pay compared to other entry-level front-of-house staffers like Bussers and Hosts/Hostesses. However, they often earn less than Baristas and Bartenders.
| Job Title | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Busser | $30,040 |
| Host/Hostess | $30,750 |
| Barista | $34,825 |
| Bartender | $37,090 |
Labor Laws and Taxes for Barbacks
As a Barback, you need to be aware of the minimum wage, overtime pay, leave and tipping policies in your state. Check out the guides below or view more labor laws:
- New York Labor Law Guide
- Illinois Labor Law Guide
- California Labor Law Guide
- Florida Labor Law Guide
- Hawaii Labor Law Guide
To easily calculate federal, state and local taxes in your state, try out our free Paycheck Calculator below.
Paycheck Calculator
Your estimated take home pay:
$55,385.89
Annual
Monthly
Biweekly
Weekly
Daily
Hourly
Here's how to take home more:
Detailed tax breakdown:
25.15%Total Tax74.85%Net pay
Salary $74,000.00
Federal Income Tax – $9,048.10
State Income Tax – $3,905.01
Social Security Tax – $4,588.00
Medicare – $1,073.00
Take Home $55,385.89
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
If your gross pay is $74,000.00 per year in the state of New York, your net pay (or take home pay) will be $55,385.89 after tax deductions of 25.15% (or $18,614.11). Deductions include a total of [1] 12.23% (or $9,048.10) for the federal income tax, [2] 5.28% (or $3,905.01) for the state income tax, [3] 6.20% (or $4,588.00) for the social security tax and [4] 1.45% (or $1,073.00) for Medicare.
The Federal Income Tax is collected by the government and is consistent across all U.S. regions. In contrast, the State Income Tax is levied by the state of residence and work, leading to substantial variations. The Social Security Tax is used to fund Social Security, which benefits retirees, persons with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers. Medicare involves a federal payroll tax designated for the Medicare insurance program. As of 2022, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not levy a state income tax.
Barback Salary FAQ
In most establishments, Barbacks earn a set hourly wage and a percentage of tips that are shared with them by Bartenders or other front-of-house staff members.
It is rare for a Barback to receive tips directly from patrons, given that their role doesn’t involve frequent customer interaction.
Not really, especially compared to many other roles in the restaurant industry. For context, the U.S. average Barback salary is $31,688 a year.
However, Barbacks working in places like California and Hawaii have more chances of getting paid significantly above the national average. This is because these three are the highest-paying states for Barbacks.
The average Barback salary in California is $33,198 a year. California tops the list of highest-paying states in the U.S. for Barbacks.
Barbacks in NYC get paid $15.37 plus tips on average. If you want to start working in New York, you can check out Barback jobs in NYC listed on our website.
Barbacks earn $30,595 a year on average in Washington, D.C. It’s the fifth highest-paying location for Barbacks in the U.S. after California, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Connecticut.
Most of the time, yes. Barbacks with previous experience in the industry may earn — or be able to negotiate — a higher salary than complete beginners.
It depends on the establishment where they work. Some bars or restaurants provide Barbacks with free meals and drinks during their breaks.
In other cases, Barbacks may receive discounts on meals and drinks from the establishment, whether it’s during breaks or even outside work hours.
However, not all establishments offer such perks. If this is something you consider important, then you should ask your prospective employer about their policies on perks and benefits when applying for Barback jobs.
Barbacks typically work 4-8 hours a day, depending on their establishment. Also, they often work night shifts and weekends. In some bars, they might start early in the morning or stay until past midnight.
Expert Reviewer Milos Eric thoroughly evaluated this salary guide to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the analyses provided. The salary guide provides insights such as location-specific figures, industry trends and factors that influence compensation.
As the Co-Founder and General Manager of OysterLink, Milos brings his extensive experience as an entrepreneur and business executive. Through the years, he has led and hired more than 500 employees for global companies like DesignRush and Digital Silk.
Not to mention, he is recognized as a Top Voice for Leadership, Recruitment and Recruitment Management on LinkedIn.
