Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Bartender Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, bartenders earned a median annual wage of $37,700 ($18.13/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $16,700/year and the 90th was $77,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,476 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,700$18.13 per hour · $3,142 monthly
10th Percentile$16,700$8.03/hr base
25th Percentile$22,500$10.82/hr base
75th Percentile$59,000$28.37/hr base
90th Percentile$77,000$37.02/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

$37,700
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,700
Net 83%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,476After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,623Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,211Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,344 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$996 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,884 / yr

Bartenders Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$8.03/hr$1,392$16,700$15,205
25th Percentile$10.82/hr$1,875$22,500$19,750
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.13/hr$3,142$37,700$31,476
75th Percentile$28.37/hr$4,917$59,000$47,741
90th Percentile$37.02/hr$6,417$77,000$60,436

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio45.1%of area median income

Compare bartenders salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Bartenders Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for bartenders in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for bartenders in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $37,700, which equates to approximately $3,142 per month or $18.13 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for bartenders in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for bartenders in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $18.13 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.03/hour and one in ten earned more than $37.02/hour.

What is the pay range for bartenders in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for bartenders in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $16,700 at the 10th percentile to $22,500 at the 25th, $59,000 at the 75th, and $77,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do bartenders take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $37,700, an estimated $31,476 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,211 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,224 (an effective rate of 16.5%).

How much do bartenders make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $37,700, gross monthly income is $3,142. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,623 per month (or $1,211 every two weeks).

Is $37,700 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $37,700, the median salary for bartenders is 45.1% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.