Bartender Salary in Austin, TX
Bartenders in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area earn a median $23,670 a year — 31% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $21,102 take-home, or $1,759 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Austin, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$757
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,468
- Medicare (1.45%)$343
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$21,102
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Bartender pay by experience in Austin, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,590 | $7.98 | $15,272 | $1,273 |
| 25th percentile | $18,030 | $8.67 | $16,458 | $1,371 |
| Median (50th) | $23,670 | $11.38 | $21,102 | $1,759 |
| 75th percentile | $40,830 | $19.63 | $34,987 | $2,916 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,150 | $30.84 | $53,725 | $4,477 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $23,670 buys in Austin, TX
Prices in Austin, TX are 1.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.20× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $21,102 take-home pay has the buying power of $21,518 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bartender jobs are about as common in Austin, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.13).
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Austin, TX ranks #42 of 50 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $58,180 | $48,928 | $44,026 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $61,220 | $48,661 | $43,230 |
| 3 | Buffalo, NY | $46,920 | $37,944 | $39,589 |
| 4 | Virginia Beach, VA | $46,700 | $37,832 | $38,628 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,940 | $38,932 | $37,682 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $48,030 | $39,056 | $35,870 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $45,590 | $35,652 | $33,819 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $37,000 | $31,674 | $33,178 |
| 42 | Austin, TX | $23,670 | $21,102 | $21,518 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 50 metros →
About the job: bartenders
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Bartender salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Dallas, TX — $24,170
- San Antonio, TX — $21,980
- Houston, TX — $22,770
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Austin, TX?
The median bartender salary in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area is $23,670 a year, or about $11.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $18,030 and $40,830.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Austin, TX?
On the median $23,670 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $21,102 a year ($1,759 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Austin, TX a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 31% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 1.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $21,518 would in a typical U.S. city. Austin, TX ranks #42 of 50 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Austin, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Austin, TX is $1,562 a month ($1,852 for two bedrooms) — 89% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Austin, TX
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $40,650
- Cooks, Fast Food — $38,560
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,810
- Dishwasher — $35,360
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,880
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,310
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,130
- Waiter and Waitress — $27,260
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $27,260