SOC 35-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bartenders — Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Bartenders in Grand Rapids, MI is $38,430 per year, 11.9% above the national median of $34,340.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Bartenders in Grand Rapids, MI is $38,430 per year, 11.9% above the national median of $34,340. Half of workers earn between $29,770 and $61,710. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,380 and the ninetieth at $79,360.
Employment stands at 2,730, or 4.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Lansing records the highest median at $40,230. Of the 572 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 493rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,380 | −20.3% |
| 25th | $29,770 | −13.3% |
| Median (50th) | $38,430 | +11.9% |
| 75th | $61,710 | +79.7% |
| 90th | $79,360 | +131.1% |
| Mean | $48,100 | +40.1% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansing | $40,230 | 870 | |
| 2 | Battle Creek | $39,430 | 260 | |
| 3 | Niles | $38,970 | 520 | |
| 4 | Ann Arbor | $38,300 | 780 | |
| 5 | Midland | $38,170 | 130 | |
| 6 | Monroe | $37,800 | 260 | |
| 7 | Kalamazoo | $37,660 | 580 | |
| 8 | Traverse City | $37,300 | 610 | |
| 9 | Muskegon | $36,960 | 410 | |
| 10 | Detroit | $36,780 | 7,660 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Grand Rapids run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $38,430 goes as far as $39,948 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,430as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,948US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,430 a year, 11.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,380 to $79,360 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,730 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lansing, at $40,230.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bartenders in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median annual wage is $38,430, or $18.48 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 Grand Rapids, MI is 11.9% 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 Grand Rapids, MI earns more than $79,360 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,380 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 Lansing, at $40,230 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,730 jobs in this occupation in Grand Rapids, MI. 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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