Bartender Salary in State College, PA
Bartenders in the State College, PA metro area earn a median $28,100 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $23,888 take-home, or $1,991 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in State College, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,200
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,742
- Medicare (1.45%)$407
- Pennsylvania income tax$863
- Take-home pay$23,888
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.07% state
Bartender pay by experience in State College, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,260 | $8.30 | $15,294 | $1,274 |
| 25th percentile | $21,530 | $10.35 | $18,679 | $1,557 |
| Median (50th) | $28,100 | $13.51 | $23,888 | $1,991 |
| 75th percentile | $44,720 | $21.50 | $36,740 | $3,062 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,280 | $29.94 | $50,310 | $4,192 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,100 buys in State College, PA
Prices in State College, PA are 3.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $23,888 take-home pay has the buying power of $24,687 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
State College, PA has 1.7× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
State College, PA ranks #169 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 |
| 169 | State College, PA | $28,100 | $23,888 | $24,687 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA — $36,040
- Allentown, PA — $32,220
- Pittsburgh, PA — $29,750
- York, PA — $28,810
- Scranton, PA — $28,010
- Reading, PA — $28,260
- Lancaster, PA — $28,280
- Harrisburg, PA — $27,520
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in State College, PA?
The median bartender salary in the State College, PA metro area is $28,100 a year, or about $13.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $21,530 and $44,720.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in State College, PA?
On the median $28,100 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $23,888 a year ($1,991 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $863 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is State College, PA a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 3.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $24,687 would in a typical U.S. city. State College, PA ranks #169 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in State College, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in State College, PA is $1,194 a month ($1,406 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in State College, PA
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $42,500
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,990
- Waiter and Waitress — $35,280
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,790