SOC 35-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bartenders — Colorado
Colorado · 7 metro areas compared
In Colorado the median wage for Bartenders is $38,170 a year, which is 11.2% higher than the national figure of $34,340.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Colorado the median wage for Bartenders is $38,170 a year, which is 11.2% higher than the national figure of $34,340. Half of workers earn between $32,430 and $62,640. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $30,800 and the ninetieth at $94,880.
The area has 17,000 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.22 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Colorado ranks 12th by median wage. Fort Collins leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $46,290. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 700th of 738 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,800 | −10.3% |
| 25th | $32,430 | −5.6% |
| Median (50th) | $38,170 | +11.2% |
| 75th | $62,640 | +82.4% |
| 90th | $94,880 | +176.3% |
| Mean | $51,250 | +49.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Collins | $46,290 | 1,210 | |
| 2 | Boulder | $42,520 | 970 | |
| 3 | Colorado Springs | $37,700 | 1,720 | |
| 4 | Greeley | $37,680 | 510 | |
| 5 | Pueblo | $37,630 | 330 | |
| 6 | Denver | $37,180 | 9,430 | |
| 7 | Grand Junction | $36,180 | 370 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $38,170 buys what $37,022 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 7.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,170as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$37,022US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,170 a year, 11.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,800 to $94,880 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 17,000 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 12th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fort Collins, at $46,290.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bartenders in Colorado?
The median annual wage is $38,170, or $18.35 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $34,340, so pay in Colorado is 11.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Colorado earns more than $94,880 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,800 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Fort Collins, at $46,290 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 17,000 jobs in this occupation in Colorado. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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