Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Bartender Salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

In the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metropolitan area, bartenders earned a median annual wage of $24,200 ($11.63/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $17,700/year and the 90th was $40,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $21,188 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$24,200$11.63 per hour · $2,017 monthly
10th Percentile$17,700$8.51/hr base
25th Percentile$21,500$10.34/hr base
75th Percentile$30,800$14.81/hr base
90th Percentile$40,200$19.33/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

$24,200
$15,000$50,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$24,200
Net 88%
Fed 3%
WI 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$21,188After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,766Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$815Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$810 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$351 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,851 / yr

Bartenders Wage Percentiles in Milwaukee-Waukesha, 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$8.51/hr$1,475$17,700$16,080
25th Percentile$10.34/hr$1,792$21,500$19,070
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$11.63/hr$2,017$24,200$21,188
75th Percentile$14.81/hr$2,567$30,800$26,297
90th Percentile$19.33/hr$3,350$40,200$33,387

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$24,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$78,218Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.93.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio30.9%of area median income

Compare bartenders salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Wisconsin:

Frequently Asked Questions About Bartenders Pay in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

What is the median salary for bartenders in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for bartenders in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $24,200, which equates to approximately $2,017 per month or $11.63 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for bartenders in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

The median hourly wage for bartenders in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $11.63 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.51/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.33/hour.

What is the pay range for bartenders in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

BLS wage estimates for bartenders in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI span from $17,700 at the 10th percentile to $21,500 at the 25th, $30,800 at the 75th, and $40,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do bartenders take home after taxes in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

On a median gross salary of $24,200, an estimated $21,188 lands in net take-home pay per year ($815 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,012 (an effective rate of 12.4%).

How much do bartenders make per month in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

On the median annual salary of $24,200, gross monthly income is $2,017. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,766 per month (or $815 every two weeks).

Is $24,200 a good salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

At $24,200, the median salary for bartenders is 30.9% of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI median household income ($78,218). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.9, making regional consumer goods and services 3.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.