Kentucky ranks 28th of 51 states and D.C. for bartenders pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($68,820) by $40,230 — a 141% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $16,350 to $56,250 — a $39,900 spread, 23% tighter than the national $51,990 range.
Bartenders are less concentrated in Kentucky than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.64 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.56× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $16,350 | $7.86 |
| 25th percentile | $20,370 | $9.79 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $28,590 | $13.75 |
| 75th percentile | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,250 | $27.04 |
| Mean (average) | $32,830 | $15.79 |
How Kentucky Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (current) | $28,590 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $68,820 | +141% |
| New York | $60,750 | +112% |
| District of Columbia | $54,930 | +92% |
| Vermont | $54,310 | +90% |
| Washington | $48,320 | +69% |
| Maine | $47,630 | +67% |
| Virginia | $46,860 | +64% |
| New Jersey | $45,660 | +60% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Kentucky
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Workers | $28,570 | 7,510 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,670 | 2,470 |
| Residential Advisors | $28,800 | 1,870 |
| Dishwashers | $28,140 | 4,530 |
| Sewing Machine Operators | $29,040 | 3,270 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $29,100 | 370 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Bartenders salary in Kentucky?
The mean bartenders salary in Kentucky is $32,830 per year. The median (middle) salary is $28,590 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Bartenders in Kentucky?
Entry-level bartenderss (10th percentile) in Kentucky typically earn around $16,350 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $20,370 per year.
What is the highest Bartenders salary in Kentucky?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Kentucky make approximately $56,250 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $42,600 per year.
How does the Kentucky Bartenders salary compare to the national average?
The median bartenders salary in Kentucky is $28,590, which is -15% below national average of $33,530.