Bartender Salary in Chicago, IL
Updated
The median bartender in the Chicago area earns $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour), 9% below the U.S. median ($34,340) and about the same as the Illinois median ($31,200). Half of the 28,750 bartenders there earn between $31,200 and $33,500.
Median $31,200
10th: $31,20090th: $48,530
| Annual pay | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,200 | $31,200 | $20,110 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $31,200 | $27,400 |
| Median | $31,200 | $31,200 | $34,340 |
| 75th percentile | $33,500 | $31,780 | $47,570 |
| 90th percentile | $48,530 | $46,520 | $73,770 |
| Average | $35,740 | $35,550 | $40,790 |
| Jobs | 28,750 | 43,010 | 756,390 |
Chicago, IL ranks 33rd of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for bartender pay. Highest: New York, NY ($61,220).
Paid less than $31,200? That gap, with its source, is the strongest line in a raise request. Check your pay for your level in 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.
Check my payBartender pay in other cities
- New York, NY: $61,220
- Seattle, WA: $58,180
- Washington, DC: $48,030
- Phoenix, AZ: $46,940
- Buffalo, NY: $46,920
- Virginia Beach, VA: $46,700
- Richmond, VA: $46,070
- Portland, OR: $45,590
- All cities
Similar jobs in Chicago, IL
- Fast Food Worker: $34,630
- Waiter: $31,200
- Restaurant Cook: $38,930
- Food Service Supervisor: $42,650
- Food Preparation Worker: $35,410
- All jobs in Chicago, IL
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.