Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Bartender Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, bartenders earned a median annual wage of $53,400 ($25.67/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,100/year and the 90th was $94,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $42,983 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$53,400$25.67 per hour · $4,450 monthly
10th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
25th Percentile$38,400$18.46/hr base
75th Percentile$74,400$35.77/hr base
90th Percentile$94,700$45.53/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

$53,400
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$53,400
Net 80%
Fed 8%
DC 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,983After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,582Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,653Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,228 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$2,104 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,085 / yr

Bartenders Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$30,120
25th Percentile$18.46/hr$3,200$38,400$31,830
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$25.67/hr$4,450$53,400$42,983
75th Percentile$35.77/hr$6,200$74,400$57,709
90th Percentile$45.53/hr$7,892$94,700$70,277

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$53,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.2%of area median income

Compare bartenders salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

Frequently Asked Questions About Bartenders Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for bartenders in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for bartenders in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $53,400, which equates to approximately $4,450 per month or $25.67 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for bartenders in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for bartenders in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $25.67 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.36/hour and one in ten earned more than $45.53/hour.

What is the pay range for bartenders in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for bartenders in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $36,100 at the 10th percentile to $38,400 at the 25th, $74,400 at the 75th, and $94,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do bartenders take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $53,400, an estimated $42,983 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,653 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $10,417 (an effective rate of 19.5%).

How much do bartenders make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $53,400, gross monthly income is $4,450. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,582 per month (or $1,653 every two weeks).

Is $53,400 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $53,400, the median salary for bartenders is 42.2% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.