Bartender Salary in Houston, TX
Bartenders in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $22,770 a year — 34% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $20,361 take-home, or $1,697 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$667
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,412
- Medicare (1.45%)$330
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$20,361
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 Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,760 | $8.06 | $15,412 | $1,284 |
| 25th percentile | $17,830 | $8.57 | $16,293 | $1,358 |
| Median (50th) | $22,770 | $10.95 | $20,361 | $1,697 |
| 75th percentile | $36,750 | $17.67 | $31,709 | $2,642 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,370 | $27.58 | $48,277 | $4,023 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $22,770 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $20,361 take-home pay has the buying power of $20,644 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 Houston, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #47 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 |
| 47 | Houston, TX | $22,770 | $20,361 | $20,644 |
*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
- Austin, TX — $23,670
- Dallas, TX — $24,170
- San Antonio, TX — $21,980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Houston, TX?
The median bartender salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $22,770 a year, or about $10.95 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $17,830 and $36,750.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $22,770 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $20,361 a year ($1,697 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 34% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $20,644 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #47 of 50 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 78% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Houston, TX
- Chef and Head Cook — $45,400
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $36,410
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $35,660
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,050
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,020
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $29,050
- Dishwasher — $28,600
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,570
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $26,730
- Cooks, Fast Food — $23,090
- Waiter and Waitress — $22,080
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $21,850