Bartender Salary in Reno, NV
Bartenders in the Reno, NV metro area earn a median $25,770 a year — 25% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $22,832 take-home, or $1,903 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Reno, NV. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$967
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,598
- Medicare (1.45%)$374
- Nevada income tax$0
- Take-home pay$22,832
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 0.00% state
Bartender pay by experience in Reno, NV
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,960 | $12.00 | $22,165 | $1,847 |
| 25th percentile | $24,960 | $12.00 | $22,165 | $1,847 |
| Median (50th) | $25,770 | $12.39 | $22,832 | $1,903 |
| 75th percentile | $26,740 | $12.86 | $23,630 | $1,969 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,450 | $17.04 | $30,664 | $2,555 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Nevada resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $25,770 buys in Reno, NV
Prices in Reno, NV are 1.0% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.23× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $22,832 take-home pay has the buying power of $22,602 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Reno, NV 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
Reno, NV ranks #181 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 |
| 181 | Reno, NV | $25,770 | $22,832 | $22,602 |
*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 Nevada
- Las Vegas, NV — $33,750
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Reno, NV?
The median bartender salary in the Reno, NV metro area is $25,770 a year, or about $12.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24,960 and $26,740.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Reno, NV?
On the median $25,770 salary, a single filer living in Nevada takes home about $22,832 a year ($1,903 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Reno, NV a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 25% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 1.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $22,602 would in a typical U.S. city. Reno, NV ranks #181 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Reno, NV?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Reno, NV is $1,444 a month ($1,805 for two bedrooms) — 76% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Reno, NV
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $42,590
- Cooks, Restaurant — $38,930
- Dishwasher — $33,190
- Food Preparation Worker — $32,180
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $31,530
- Cooks, Fast Food — $30,410
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,620
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $26,030
- Waiter and Waitress — $25,700