Bartender Salary in Washington, DC
Bartenders in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $48,030 a year — 40% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,056 take-home, or $3,255 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,584
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,978
- Medicare (1.45%)$696
- District of Columbia income tax$1,716
- Take-home pay$39,056
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Bartender pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,480 | $16.58 | $28,982 | $2,415 |
| 25th percentile | $37,070 | $17.82 | $30,908 | $2,576 |
| Median (50th) | $48,030 | $23.09 | $39,056 | $3,255 |
| 75th percentile | $74,510 | $35.82 | $57,851 | $4,821 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,510 | $44.00 | $68,397 | $5,700 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,030 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $39,056 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,870 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #27 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 |
| 27 | Washington, DC | $48,030 | $39,056 | $35,870 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Washington, DC?
The median bartender salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $48,030 a year, or about $23.09 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,070 and $74,510.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $48,030 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $39,056 a year ($3,255 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,716 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 40% above the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,870 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #27 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 61% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Chef and Head Cook — $74,900
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $47,580
- Waiter and Waitress — $46,040
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $44,880
- Cooks, Restaurant — $42,920
- Cooks, Short Order — $39,650
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — $38,590
- Food Preparation Worker — $37,630
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $37,540
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $37,260
- Dishwasher — $37,010
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $36,360