Appleton, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Bartender Salary in Appleton, WI

In the Appleton, WI metropolitan area, bartenders earned a median annual wage of $23,000 ($11.06/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $16,900/year and the 90th was $38,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $20,247 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$23,000$11.06 per hour · $1,917 monthly
10th Percentile$16,900$8.13/hr base
25th Percentile$20,500$9.86/hr base
75th Percentile$29,300$14.09/hr base
90th Percentile$38,300$18.41/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$23,000
$15,000$50,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$23,000
Net 88%
Fed 3%
WI 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$20,247After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,687Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$779Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$690 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$304 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,760 / yr

Bartenders Wage Percentiles in Appleton, WI

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Bartenders in the Appleton, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$8.13/hr$1,408$16,900$15,449
25th Percentile$9.86/hr$1,708$20,500$18,286
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$11.06/hr$1,917$23,000$20,247
75th Percentile$14.09/hr$2,442$29,300$25,166
90th Percentile$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$31,954

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Appleton, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$23,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,825Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.47.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio26.8%of area median income

Compare bartenders salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Wisconsin:

Frequently Asked Questions About Bartenders Pay in Appleton, WI

What is the median salary for bartenders in Appleton, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for bartenders in Appleton, WI is $23,000, which equates to approximately $1,917 per month or $11.06 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for bartenders in Appleton, WI?

The median hourly wage for bartenders in Appleton, WI is $11.06 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.13/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.41/hour.

What is the pay range for bartenders in Appleton, WI?

BLS wage estimates for bartenders in Appleton, WI span from $16,900 at the 10th percentile to $20,500 at the 25th, $29,300 at the 75th, and $38,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do bartenders take home after taxes in Appleton, WI?

On a median gross salary of $23,000, an estimated $20,247 lands in net take-home pay per year ($779 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $2,754 (an effective rate of 12%).

How much do bartenders make per month in Appleton, WI?

On the median annual salary of $23,000, gross monthly income is $1,917. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,687 per month (or $779 every two weeks).

Is $23,000 a good salary in Appleton, WI?

At $23,000, the median salary for bartenders is 26.8% of the Appleton, WI median household income ($85,825). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.4, making regional consumer goods and services 7.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.