Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Bartender Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan area, bartenders earned a median annual wage of $34,200 ($16.44/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $15,200/year and the 90th was $69,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,804 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,200$16.44 per hour · $2,850 monthly
10th Percentile$15,200$7.31/hr base
25th Percentile$20,400$9.81/hr base
75th Percentile$53,500$25.72/hr base
90th Percentile$69,800$33.56/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

$34,200
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,200
Net 84%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,804After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,400Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,108Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,924 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$856 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,616 / yr

Bartenders Wage Percentiles in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$7.31/hr$1,267$15,200$13,939
25th Percentile$9.81/hr$1,700$20,400$18,104
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.44/hr$2,850$34,200$28,804
75th Percentile$25.72/hr$4,458$53,500$43,541
90th Percentile$33.56/hr$5,817$69,800$55,658

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,787Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.511.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio54.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Bartenders Pay in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

What is the median salary for bartenders in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for bartenders in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $34,200, which equates to approximately $2,850 per month or $16.44 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for bartenders in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The median hourly wage for bartenders in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $16.44 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $7.31/hour and one in ten earned more than $33.56/hour.

What is the pay range for bartenders in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

BLS wage estimates for bartenders in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $15,200 at the 10th percentile to $20,400 at the 25th, $53,500 at the 75th, and $69,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do bartenders take home after taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On a median gross salary of $34,200, an estimated $28,804 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,108 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,396 (an effective rate of 15.8%).

How much do bartenders make per month in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On the median annual salary of $34,200, gross monthly income is $2,850. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,400 per month (or $1,108 every two weeks).

Is $34,200 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

At $34,200, the median salary for bartenders is 54.5% of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median household income ($62,787). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.5, making regional consumer goods and services 11.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.