Bartender salary in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Bartenders in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn a median of $38,430 a year ($18.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,360 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 4% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $36,780. There are 4.6 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,380 | $13.16 |
| 25th percentile | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| Median | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| 75th percentile | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,360 | $38.16 |
| Average (mean) | $48,100 | $23.13 |
Half of bartenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,202.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,601.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,478.08 |
| Weekly | $739.04 |
| Hourly | $18.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Bartender salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $40,230 | 870 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $39,430 | 260 |
| Niles, MI | $38,970 | 520 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $38,300 | 780 |
| Midland, MI | $38,170 | 130 |
| Monroe, MI | $37,800 | 260 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $37,660 | 580 |
| Traverse City, MI | $37,300 | 610 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $36,960 | 410 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $36,780 | 7,660 |
| Saginaw, MI | $36,550 | 390 |
| Flint, MI | $36,130 | 700 |
| Jackson, MI | $35,740 | 260 |
| Bay City, MI | $34,720 | 220 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $23,000 | 580 |
Highest-paying states for bartenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $55,830 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 |
| Maine | $48,920 |
| Virginia | $47,070 |
| Vermont | $45,450 |
| Arizona | $45,070 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 |
| Oregon | $38,900 |
See Bartender pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,240 | $13.58 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $42,930 | $20.64 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,770 | $15.75 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,240 | $17.90 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,920 | $15.35 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,800 | $18.18 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,980 | $13.94 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,440 | $14.63 |
| Dishwasher | $31,940 | $15.36 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $33,890 | $16.29 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The median salary for bartenders in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $38,430 a year, or $18.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn at least $79,360 a year. The top 25% earn $61,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,380 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $29,770 or less.
How many bartenders work in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
About 2,730 bartenders are employed in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.