Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Bartender Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

In the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metropolitan area, bartenders earned a median annual wage of $37,900 ($18.22/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $16,800/year and the 90th was $77,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,629 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,900$18.22 per hour · $3,158 monthly
10th Percentile$16,800$8.08/hr base
25th Percentile$22,600$10.87/hr base
75th Percentile$59,200$28.46/hr base
90th Percentile$77,300$37.16/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

$37,900
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,900
Net 83%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,629After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,636Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,217Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,368 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,003 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,899 / yr

Bartenders Wage Percentiles in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$8.08/hr$1,400$16,800$15,283
25th Percentile$10.87/hr$1,883$22,600$19,828
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.22/hr$3,158$37,900$31,629
75th Percentile$28.46/hr$4,933$59,200$47,894
90th Percentile$37.16/hr$6,442$77,300$60,635

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$82,330Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.92.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Bartenders Pay in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

What is the median salary for bartenders in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for bartenders in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $37,900, which equates to approximately $3,158 per month or $18.22 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for bartenders in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

The median hourly wage for bartenders in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $18.22 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.08/hour and one in ten earned more than $37.16/hour.

What is the pay range for bartenders in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

BLS wage estimates for bartenders in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC span from $16,800 at the 10th percentile to $22,600 at the 25th, $59,200 at the 75th, and $77,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do bartenders take home after taxes in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

On a median gross salary of $37,900, an estimated $31,629 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,217 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,271 (an effective rate of 16.5%).

How much do bartenders make per month in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

On the median annual salary of $37,900, gross monthly income is $3,158. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,636 per month (or $1,217 every two weeks).

Is $37,900 a good salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

At $37,900, the median salary for bartenders is 46% of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC median household income ($82,330). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.9, making regional consumer goods and services 2.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.