Headline risk
2%
Very Low RiskBartenders
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 33,530
Employment 2024
756.7K
Projected Change (2024–34)
5.9%
Openings (2024–34)
129.6K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Employment of bartenders is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol. AI use: 0%
- 2. Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment. AI use: 0%
- 3. Clean bars, work areas, and tables. AI use: 0%
- 4. Attempt to limit problems and liability related to customers' excessive drinking by taking steps such as persuading customers to stop drinking, or ordering taxis or other transportation for intoxicated patrons. AI use: 0%
- 5. Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons. AI use: 0%
- 6. Collect money for drinks served. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 34.6 · 432K employed
Under 25: 19% · 25–54: 71% · 55+: 11%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
crosswalk_exact · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff.
Bartenders work at restaurants, hotels, and other food service and drinking establishments. During busy hours, they are under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently. They often work late evenings, on weekends, and on holidays. Part-time work is common, and schedules may vary.
Bartenders typically do not need formal education credentials to enter the occupation. Most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18 years old. They typically learn their skills on the job.
The median hourly wage for bartenders was $16.12 in May 2024.
Employment of bartenders is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.