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Average Bartenders Salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA

Bartenders in Athens-Clarke County, GA, can expect an average annual salary of $26,220. This figure is notably lower than the national average of $39,890, suggesting that local economic factors and demand within the Athens-Clarke County market play a significant role in compensation levels for this profession.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $26,220 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 13.3% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $45,740.
  • Outlook: With a total local workforce of 420 bartenders and a Location Quotient of 0.9, the job market in Athens-Clarke County indicates a demand that is slightly below the national average concentration. While not a booming market in terms of sheer concentration, the existing workforce suggests a stable, albeit not rapidly expanding, presence of bartending roles.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$26,220

The average Bartenders in Athens-Clarke County, GA earns-34.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$12.6

Weekly

$504

Monthly

$2,185

Bartenders Salary Distribution in Athens-Clarke County, GA

The salary progression for bartenders in Athens-Clarke County typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this career trajectory, rewarding expertise and tenure.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$15,080$7.3
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$19,665$9.5
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$19,500$9.4
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$32,775$15.8
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$45,740$22

Detailed Bartenders Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$26,220

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$26,220

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $26,220 in Athens-Clarke County aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary locally is equivalent to the national average, making the lower nominal wage more palatable.

Job Market Context

420

Total Jobs

4.361

Per 1K Jobs

0.9

Location Quotient

Below Average

Athens-Clarke County, GA has 0.90x the national average concentration of Bartenders jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.9 for bartenders in Athens-Clarke County suggests that the profession is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This indicates that while bartending is a present and necessary occupation, it is not disproportionately dominant within the local employment landscape compared to other industries nationwide.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Bartenders

Comparing salaries near Athens-Clarke County, GA

Hiring Bartenderss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Bartenders make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?

The median annual salary for a Bartenders in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $26,220. This typically ranges from $15,080 for entry-level positions to $45,740 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Athens-Clarke County, GA is 34.3% lower than the national median of $39,890.

Is Athens-Clarke County, GA a lucrative place for Bartenderss?

No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average annual salary of $26,220 is significantly below the national average of $39,890, and the Cost of Living is at the national average, meaning the lower salary has less purchasing power than it might appear.

Is Athens-Clarke County, GA a good place to live for Bartenders?

The Cost of Living Index in Athens-Clarke County, GA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Athens-Clarke County, GA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Gainesville, GA ($30,650) and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA.

How does the number of local bartenders compare nationally?

Athens-Clarke County has a total of 420 bartenders, and the number of jobs per 1,000 workers is 4.361, which is slightly below the national average concentration indicated by a Location Quotient of 0.9.

What is the impact of experience on a bartender's salary in Athens-Clarke County?

Experience is a key factor; entry-level bartenders earn less, while senior bartenders with specialized skills and a proven track record can achieve higher salaries, reflecting the typical career progression in the hospitality industry.

How does the cost of living affect the bartender salary in Athens-Clarke County?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average, the $26,220 salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average. Therefore, the lower nominal salary is somewhat offset by the average cost of living.

Is the job market for bartenders growing in Athens-Clarke County?

The Location Quotient of 0.9 suggests a stable but not rapidly expanding market for bartenders in Athens-Clarke County, indicating a demand that is slightly less concentrated than the national average.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 420 employees in the Athens-Clarke County, GA area with a job density of 4.361 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.