Bartender Salary in Wilmington, NC
Bartenders in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median $37,890 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,622 take-home, or $2,635 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Wilmington, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,367
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,349
- Medicare (1.45%)$549
- North Carolina income tax$1,003
- Take-home pay$31,622
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Bartender pay by experience in Wilmington, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,990 | $7.69 | $14,637 | $1,220 |
| 25th percentile | $22,000 | $10.58 | $19,358 | $1,613 |
| Median (50th) | $37,890 | $18.22 | $31,622 | $2,635 |
| 75th percentile | $59,330 | $28.52 | $47,993 | $3,999 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,630 | $36.84 | $60,190 | $5,016 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,890 buys in Wilmington, NC
Prices in Wilmington, NC are 3.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 7% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $31,622 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,795 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Wilmington, NC has 1.6× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Wilmington, NC ranks #41 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 |
| 41 | Wilmington, NC | $37,890 | $31,622 | $32,795 |
*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
- Charlotte, NC — $37,390
- Winston, NC — $34,920
- Fayetteville, NC — $34,880
- Durham, NC — $37,110
- Greensboro, NC — $34,550
- Raleigh, NC — $36,120
- Asheville, NC — $35,380
- Hickory, NC — $31,860
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Wilmington, NC?
The median bartender salary in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $37,890 a year, or about $18.22 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $22,000 and $59,330.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Wilmington, NC?
On the median $37,890 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $31,622 a year ($2,635 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,003 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 3.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,795 would in a typical U.S. city. Wilmington, NC ranks #41 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Wilmington, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Wilmington, NC is $1,380 a month ($1,512 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,360
- Cooks, Restaurant — $34,940
- Food Preparation Worker — $31,830
- Waiter and Waitress — $30,610
- Dishwasher — $29,870
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,250
- Cooks, Fast Food — $27,500
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,460
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $27,320