Bartender Salary in Lubbock, TX
Bartenders in the Lubbock, TX metro area earn a median $20,990 a year — 39% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $18,895 take-home, or $1,575 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Lubbock, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$489
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,301
- Medicare (1.45%)$304
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$18,895
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 0.00% state
Bartender pay by experience in Lubbock, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,390 | $7.40 | $14,213 | $1,184 |
| 25th percentile | $16,430 | $7.90 | $15,140 | $1,262 |
| Median (50th) | $20,990 | $10.09 | $18,895 | $1,575 |
| 75th percentile | $34,540 | $16.61 | $29,933 | $2,494 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,090 | $29.85 | $52,069 | $4,339 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $20,990 buys in Lubbock, TX
Prices in Lubbock, TX are 8.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 24% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $18,895 take-home pay has the buying power of $20,692 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bartender jobs are about as common in Lubbock, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Lubbock, TX ranks #213 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 |
| 213 | Lubbock, TX | $20,990 | $18,895 | $20,692 |
*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 Texas
- Beaumont, TX — $22,600
- Austin, TX — $23,670
- Killeen, TX — $21,280
- Dallas, TX — $24,170
- San Antonio, TX — $21,980
- Waco, TX — $21,420
- Houston, TX — $22,770
- Amarillo, TX — $21,050
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Lubbock, TX?
The median bartender salary in the Lubbock, TX metro area is $20,990 a year, or about $10.09 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $16,430 and $34,540.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Lubbock, TX?
On the median $20,990 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $18,895 a year ($1,575 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lubbock, TX a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 39% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 8.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $20,692 would in a typical U.S. city. Lubbock, TX ranks #213 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Lubbock, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lubbock, TX is $974 a month ($1,155 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lubbock, TX
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $33,220
- Cooks, Restaurant — $30,250
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $29,700
- Dishwasher — $28,970
- Food Preparation Worker — $28,550
- Cooks, Fast Food — $25,500
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $25,290
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $25,250
- Waiter and Waitress — $22,560
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $20,140