Bartender Salary in Nashville, TN
Bartenders in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median $28,190 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,824 take-home, or $2,069 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Nashville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,209
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,748
- Medicare (1.45%)$409
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$24,824
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 Nashville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,740 | $8.05 | $15,395 | $1,283 |
| 25th percentile | $18,840 | $9.06 | $17,125 | $1,427 |
| Median (50th) | $28,190 | $13.55 | $24,824 | $2,069 |
| 75th percentile | $39,470 | $18.98 | $33,894 | $2,825 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,470 | $27.63 | $48,357 | $4,030 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,190 buys in Nashville, TN
Prices in Nashville, TN are 3.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $24,824 take-home pay has the buying power of $25,768 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 Nashville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Nashville, TN ranks #37 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 |
| 37 | Nashville, TN | $28,190 | $24,824 | $25,768 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Nashville, TN?
The median bartender salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $28,190 a year, or about $13.55 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $18,840 and $39,470.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Nashville, TN?
On the median $28,190 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $24,824 a year ($2,069 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $25,768 would in a typical U.S. city. Nashville, TN ranks #37 of 50 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Nashville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Nashville, TN is $1,530 a month ($1,685 for two bedrooms) — 74% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Nashville, TN
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,630
- Cooks, Restaurant — $38,170
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,910
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,640
- Dishwasher — $34,380
- Cooks, Fast Food — $34,210
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,520
- Waiter and Waitress — $29,390
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,150
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,800