Bartender Salary in Fort Collins, CO
Bartenders in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area earn a median $46,290 a year — 35% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,046 take-home, or $3,170 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Fort Collins, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,375
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,870
- Medicare (1.45%)$671
- Colorado income tax$1,328
- Take-home pay$38,046
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Bartender pay by experience in Fort Collins, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 | $26,281 | $2,190 |
| 25th percentile | $31,410 | $15.10 | $26,744 | $2,229 |
| Median (50th) | $46,290 | $22.25 | $38,046 | $3,170 |
| 75th percentile | $62,430 | $30.01 | $50,304 | $4,192 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,240 | $40.50 | $65,095 | $5,425 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,290 buys in Fort Collins, CO
Prices in Fort Collins, CO are 1.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $38,046 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,621 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fort Collins, CO has 1.5× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Fort Collins, CO ranks #23 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 |
| 23 | Fort Collins, CO | $46,290 | $38,046 | $37,621 |
*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 Colorado
- Boulder, CO — $42,520
- Greeley, CO — $37,680
- Colorado Springs, CO — $37,700
- Denver, CO — $37,180
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Fort Collins, CO?
The median bartender salary in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area is $46,290 a year, or about $22.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,410 and $62,430.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Fort Collins, CO?
On the median $46,290 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $38,046 a year ($3,170 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,328 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Collins, CO a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 35% above the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 1.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,621 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Collins, CO ranks #23 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Fort Collins, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fort Collins, CO is $1,537 a month ($1,732 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 Fort Collins, CO
- Waiter and Waitress — $47,360
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $47,150
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $39,770
- Cooks, Restaurant — $38,370
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $36,970
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,510
- Dishwasher — $35,800
- Cooks, Fast Food — $35,230
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $34,890
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $34,850