Bartender Salary in Bloomington, IN
Bartenders in the Bloomington, IN metro area earn a median $22,370 a year — 35% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $19,401 take-home, or $1,617 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Bloomington, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$627
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,387
- Medicare (1.45%)$324
- Indiana income tax$630
- Take-home pay$19,401
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 2.95% state
Bartender pay by experience in Bloomington, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,740 | $8.53 | $15,725 | $1,310 |
| 25th percentile | $18,700 | $8.99 | $16,487 | $1,374 |
| Median (50th) | $22,370 | $10.75 | $19,401 | $1,617 |
| 75th percentile | $29,740 | $14.30 | $25,228 | $2,102 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,840 | $20.12 | $34,594 | $2,883 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $22,370 buys in Bloomington, IN
Prices in Bloomington, IN are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $19,401 take-home pay has the buying power of $20,404 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bloomington, IN has 1.2× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Bloomington, IN ranks #216 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 |
| 216 | Bloomington, IN | $22,370 | $19,401 | $20,404 |
*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 Indiana
- Fort Wayne, IN — $23,010
- South Bend, IN — $23,000
- Evansville, IN — $22,360
- Lafayette, IN — $22,680
- Indianapolis, IN — $22,880
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Bloomington, IN?
The median bartender salary in the Bloomington, IN metro area is $22,370 a year, or about $10.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $18,700 and $29,740.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Bloomington, IN?
On the median $22,370 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $19,401 a year ($1,617 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $630 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Bloomington, IN a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 35% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 4.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $20,404 would in a typical U.S. city. Bloomington, IN ranks #216 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Bloomington, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Bloomington, IN is $1,036 a month ($1,176 for two bedrooms) — 64% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Bloomington, IN
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,250
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,230
- Cooks, Restaurant — $34,910
- Waiter and Waitress — $28,540
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,230