Modesto, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Bartender Salary in Modesto, CA

In the Modesto, CA metropolitan area, bartenders earned a median annual wage of $34,100 ($16.39/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,300/year and the 90th was $70,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,233 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 104.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,100$16.39 per hour · $2,842 monthly
10th Percentile$32,300$15.53/hr base
25th Percentile$32,600$15.67/hr base
75th Percentile$38,500$18.51/hr base
90th Percentile$70,600$33.94/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

$34,100
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,100
Net 86%
Fed 6%
CA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,233After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,436Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,124Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,912 / yr
California state income tax$347 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,609 / yr

Bartenders Wage Percentiles in Modesto, CA

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 Modesto, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$15.53/hr$2,692$32,300$27,858
25th Percentile$15.67/hr$2,717$32,600$28,087
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.39/hr$2,842$34,100$29,233
75th Percentile$18.51/hr$3,208$38,500$32,592
90th Percentile$33.94/hr$5,883$70,600$56,075

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Modesto, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,468Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index104.14.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.9%of area median income

Compare bartenders salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Bartenders Pay in Modesto, CA

What is the median salary for bartenders in Modesto, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for bartenders in Modesto, CA is $34,100, which equates to approximately $2,842 per month or $16.39 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for bartenders in Modesto, CA?

The median hourly wage for bartenders in Modesto, CA is $16.39 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.53/hour and one in ten earned more than $33.94/hour.

What is the pay range for bartenders in Modesto, CA?

BLS wage estimates for bartenders in Modesto, CA span from $32,300 at the 10th percentile to $32,600 at the 25th, $38,500 at the 75th, and $70,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do bartenders take home after taxes in Modesto, CA?

On a median gross salary of $34,100, an estimated $29,233 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,124 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,867 (an effective rate of 14.3%).

How much do bartenders make per month in Modesto, CA?

On the median annual salary of $34,100, gross monthly income is $2,842. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,436 per month (or $1,124 every two weeks).

Is $34,100 a good salary in Modesto, CA?

At $34,100, the median salary for bartenders is 41.9% of the Modesto, CA median household income ($81,468). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 104.1, making regional consumer goods and services 4.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.