SOC 35-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bartenders — Southern Michigan
Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Bartenders in Southern Michigan, MI is $36,570 per year, close to the national median of $34,340 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Bartenders in Southern Michigan, MI is $36,570 per year, close to the national median of $34,340 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $25,960 at the tenth percentile to more than $75,040 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $27,660 to $53,060.
Employment stands at 820, or 6.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Lansing leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $40,230. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 304th of 361 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,960 | −24.4% |
| 25th | $27,660 | −19.5% |
| Median (50th) | $36,570 | +6.5% |
| 75th | $53,060 | +54.5% |
| 90th | $75,040 | +118.5% |
| Mean | $43,070 | +25.4% |
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 | Grand Rapids | $38,430 | 2,730 | |
| 5 | Ann Arbor | $38,300 | 780 | |
| 6 | Midland | $38,170 | 130 | |
| 7 | Monroe | $37,800 | 260 | |
| 8 | Kalamazoo | $37,660 | 580 | |
| 9 | Traverse City | $37,300 | 610 | |
| 10 | Muskegon | $36,960 | 410 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southern Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $36,570 goes as far as $38,015 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,570as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,015US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,570 a year, 6.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,960 to $75,040 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 820 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 Southern Michigan, MI?
The median annual wage is $36,570, or $17.58 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 Southern Michigan, MI is 6.5% 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 Southern Michigan, MI earns more than $75,040 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,960 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 820 jobs in this occupation in Southern Michigan, 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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