Bartender Salary in Eau Claire, WI
Bartenders in the Eau Claire, WI metro area earn a median $22,990 a year — 33% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $20,251 take-home, or $1,688 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Eau Claire, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$689
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,425
- Medicare (1.45%)$333
- Wisconsin income tax$292
- Take-home pay$20,251
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.50% state
Bartender pay by experience in Eau Claire, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,890 | $8.12 | $15,441 | $1,287 |
| 25th percentile | $20,320 | $9.77 | $18,145 | $1,512 |
| Median (50th) | $22,990 | $11.05 | $20,251 | $1,688 |
| 75th percentile | $29,400 | $14.13 | $25,287 | $2,107 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,450 | $19.93 | $34,442 | $2,870 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $22,990 buys in Eau Claire, WI
Prices in Eau Claire, WI are 7.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 27% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $20,251 take-home pay has the buying power of $21,823 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Eau Claire, WI has 2.2× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Eau Claire, WI ranks #192 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 |
| 192 | Eau Claire, WI | $22,990 | $20,251 | $21,823 |
*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 Wisconsin
- Sheboygan, WI — $25,720
- Milwaukee, WI — $25,970
- Appleton, WI — $23,330
- La Crosse, WI — $23,130
- Green Bay, WI — $23,380
- Oshkosh, WI — $23,120
- Wausau, WI — $22,640
- Racine, WI — $22,960
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Eau Claire, WI?
The median bartender salary in the Eau Claire, WI metro area is $22,990 a year, or about $11.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $20,320 and $29,400.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Eau Claire, WI?
On the median $22,990 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $20,251 a year ($1,688 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $292 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Eau Claire, WI a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 33% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 7.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $21,823 would in a typical U.S. city. Eau Claire, WI ranks #192 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Eau Claire, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Eau Claire, WI is $962 a month ($1,181 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Eau Claire, WI
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $37,920
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,780
- Food Preparation Worker — $33,680
- Waiter and Waitress — $29,720
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,070