Bartender Salary in Raleigh, NC
Bartenders in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $36,120 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,270 take-home, or $2,522 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,154
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,239
- Medicare (1.45%)$524
- North Carolina income tax$932
- Take-home pay$30,270
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Bartender pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,290 | $7.83 | $14,884 | $1,240 |
| 25th percentile | $22,310 | $10.73 | $19,601 | $1,633 |
| Median (50th) | $36,120 | $17.37 | $30,270 | $2,522 |
| 75th percentile | $59,460 | $28.59 | $48,092 | $4,008 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,880 | $35.52 | $58,365 | $4,864 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,120 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $30,270 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,838 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 Raleigh, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #66 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 |
| 66 | Raleigh, NC | $36,120 | $30,270 | $30,838 |
*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 Carolina
- Wilmington, NC — $37,890
- Charlotte, NC — $37,390
- Winston, NC — $34,920
- Fayetteville, NC — $34,880
- Durham, NC — $37,110
- Greensboro, NC — $34,550
- Asheville, NC — $35,380
- Hickory, NC — $31,860
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Raleigh, NC?
The median bartender salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $36,120 a year, or about $17.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $22,310 and $59,460.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $36,120 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $30,270 a year ($2,522 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $932 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,838 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #66 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Chef and Head Cook — $61,190
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,020
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,460
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,280
- Waiter and Waitress — $34,860
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $32,470
- Dishwasher — $31,300
- Cooks, Short Order — $31,200
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — $29,890
- Food Preparation Worker — $29,470
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,150
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,080