Bartender Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Bartenders in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $25,970 a year — 24% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $22,600 take-home, or $1,883 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$987
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,610
- Medicare (1.45%)$377
- Wisconsin income tax$396
- Take-home pay$22,600
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Bartender pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,930 | $8.14 | $15,472 | $1,289 |
| 25th percentile | $21,250 | $10.22 | $18,879 | $1,573 |
| Median (50th) | $25,970 | $12.49 | $22,600 | $1,883 |
| 75th percentile | $30,070 | $14.46 | $25,799 | $2,150 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,250 | $19.35 | $33,531 | $2,794 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $25,970 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $22,600 take-home pay has the buying power of $23,315 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Milwaukee, WI has 1.8× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #40 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 |
| 40 | Milwaukee, WI | $25,970 | $22,600 | $23,315 |
*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 Wisconsin
- Madison, WI — $23,210
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median bartender salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $25,970 a year, or about $12.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $21,250 and $30,070.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $25,970 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $22,600 a year ($1,883 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $396 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 24% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $23,315 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #40 of 50 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 59% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $40,080
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $38,980
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,180
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,470
- Waiter and Waitress — $30,330
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,440