Bartender Salary in Worcester, MA
Bartenders in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median $35,950 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,488 take-home, or $2,457 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Worcester, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,134
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,229
- Medicare (1.45%)$521
- Massachusetts income tax$1,578
- Take-home pay$29,488
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Bartender pay by experience in Worcester, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,909 | $2,159 |
| 25th percentile | $32,800 | $15.77 | $27,115 | $2,260 |
| Median (50th) | $35,950 | $17.28 | $29,488 | $2,457 |
| 75th percentile | $44,270 | $21.28 | $35,757 | $2,980 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,660 | $28.20 | $46,600 | $3,883 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,950 buys in Worcester, MA
Prices in Worcester, MA are 2.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $29,488 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,763 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 Worcester, MA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Worcester, MA ranks #103 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 |
| 103 | Worcester, MA | $35,950 | $29,488 | $28,763 |
*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 Massachusetts
- Barnstable Town, MA — $43,530
- Pittsfield, MA — $35,390
- Springfield, MA — $35,610
- Amherst Town, MA — $35,300
- Boston, MA — $37,760
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Worcester, MA?
The median bartender salary in the Worcester, MA metro area is $35,950 a year, or about $17.28 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,800 and $44,270.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Worcester, MA?
On the median $35,950 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $29,488 a year ($2,457 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,578 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Worcester, MA a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 2.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,763 would in a typical U.S. city. Worcester, MA ranks #103 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Worcester, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Worcester, MA is $1,558 a month ($1,997 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 Worcester, MA
- Chef and Head Cook — $64,620
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $46,780
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,500
- Cooks, Restaurant — $44,250
- Waiter and Waitress — $36,840
- Dishwasher — $36,660
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,550
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $35,870
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $35,790
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $34,610
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $33,620