Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Bartender Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

In the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metropolitan area, bartenders earned a median annual wage of $39,200 ($18.85/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,600/year and the 90th was $97,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Colorado tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,661 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 105.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,200$18.85 per hour · $3,267 monthly
10th Percentile$31,600$15.19/hr base
25th Percentile$33,300$16.01/hr base
75th Percentile$64,300$30.91/hr base
90th Percentile$97,400$46.83/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

$39,200
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,200
Net 83%
Fed 6%
CO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,661After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,722Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,256Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,524 / yr
Colorado state income tax$1,016 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,999 / yr

Bartenders Wage Percentiles in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CO)
10th Percentile$15.19/hr$2,633$31,600$26,889
25th Percentile$16.01/hr$2,775$33,300$28,180
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$32,661
75th Percentile$30.91/hr$5,358$64,300$51,724
90th Percentile$46.83/hr$8,117$97,400$73,774

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$105,762Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index105.85.8% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio37.1%of area median income

Compare bartenders salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Colorado:

Frequently Asked Questions About Bartenders Pay in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

What is the median salary for bartenders in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The official BLS median annual wage for bartenders in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $39,200, which equates to approximately $3,267 per month or $18.85 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for bartenders in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The median hourly wage for bartenders in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $18.85 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.19/hour and one in ten earned more than $46.83/hour.

What is the pay range for bartenders in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

BLS wage estimates for bartenders in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO span from $31,600 at the 10th percentile to $33,300 at the 25th, $64,300 at the 75th, and $97,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do bartenders take home after taxes in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

On a median gross salary of $39,200, an estimated $32,661 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,256 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,539 (an effective rate of 16.7%).

How much do bartenders make per month in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

On the median annual salary of $39,200, gross monthly income is $3,267. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,722 per month (or $1,256 every two weeks).

Is $39,200 a good salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

At $39,200, the median salary for bartenders is 37.1% of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO median household income ($105,762). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 105.8, making regional consumer goods and services 5.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.