Bartender Salary in Bismarck, ND
Bartenders in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median $29,350 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,763 take-home, or $2,147 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Bismarck, ND. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,342
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,820
- Medicare (1.45%)$426
- North Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$25,763
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Bartender pay by experience in Bismarck, ND
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,520 | $9.38 | $17,685 | $1,474 |
| 25th percentile | $22,550 | $10.84 | $20,180 | $1,682 |
| Median (50th) | $29,350 | $14.11 | $25,763 | $2,147 |
| 75th percentile | $37,330 | $17.95 | $32,175 | $2,681 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,590 | $28.17 | $49,257 | $4,105 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,350 buys in Bismarck, ND
Prices in Bismarck, ND are 9.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 16% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $25,763 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,303 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bismarck, ND 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
Bismarck, ND ranks #114 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 |
| 114 | Bismarck, ND | $29,350 | $25,763 | $28,303 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
Bartender salaries elsewhere in North Dakota
- Grand Forks, ND — $28,770
- Fargo, ND — $28,390
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Bismarck, ND?
The median bartender salary in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $29,350 a year, or about $14.11 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $22,550 and $37,330.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Bismarck, ND?
On the median $29,350 salary, a single filer living in North Dakota takes home about $25,763 a year ($2,147 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Bismarck, ND a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 9.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,303 would in a typical U.S. city. Bismarck, ND ranks #114 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Bismarck, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Bismarck, ND is $1,030 a month ($1,175 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Bismarck, ND
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,190
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,610
- Waiter and Waitress — $32,310
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,940