Bartender Salary in Anchorage, AK
Bartenders in the Anchorage, AK metro area earn a median $31,200 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,249 take-home, or $2,271 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Anchorage, AK. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,564
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,934
- Medicare (1.45%)$452
- Alaska income tax$0
- Take-home pay$27,249
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Bartender pay by experience in Anchorage, AK
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,770 | $11.91 | $22,008 | $1,834 |
| 25th percentile | $28,000 | $13.46 | $24,668 | $2,056 |
| Median (50th) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $27,249 | $2,271 |
| 75th percentile | $47,150 | $22.67 | $40,065 | $3,339 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,940 | $29.78 | $51,949 | $4,329 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alaska resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,200 buys in Anchorage, AK
Prices in Anchorage, AK are 5.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.10× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $27,249 take-home pay has the buying power of $25,848 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Anchorage, AK has 1.4× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Anchorage, AK ranks #152 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $86,280 | $64,501 | $58,962 |
| 2 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $75,340 | $57,636 | $51,943 |
| 3 | Kennewick, WA | $55,820 | $47,031 | $46,994 |
| 4 | Bellingham, WA | $56,110 | $47,264 | $45,739 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $58,180 | $48,928 | $44,026 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $61,220 | $48,661 | $43,230 |
| 7 | Bremerton, WA | $53,810 | $45,416 | $43,005 |
| 8 | Portland, ME | $54,170 | $43,231 | $42,442 |
| 152 | Anchorage, AK | $31,200 | $27,249 | $25,848 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Anchorage, AK?
The median bartender salary in the Anchorage, AK metro area is $31,200 a year, or about $15.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,000 and $47,150.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Anchorage, AK?
On the median $31,200 salary, a single filer living in Alaska takes home about $27,249 a year ($2,271 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Anchorage, AK a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 5.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $25,848 would in a typical U.S. city. Anchorage, AK ranks #152 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Anchorage, AK?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Anchorage, AK is $1,190 a month ($1,562 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Anchorage, AK
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $48,290
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,920
- Cooks, Restaurant — $40,140
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,760
- Cooks, Fast Food — $33,960
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $33,280
- Dishwasher — $31,940
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $30,140
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $27,040
- Waiter and Waitress — $26,080