Bartender salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
Bartenders in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median of $54,170 a year ($26.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,710 for the top 10%. That is 58% higher than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 11% higher than the Maine statewide median of $48,920. There are 6.2 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,020 | $15.39 |
| 25th percentile | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| Median | $54,170 | $26.04 |
| 75th percentile | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,710 | $49.86 |
| Average (mean) | $60,600 | $29.14 |
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 | $4,514.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,257.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,083.46 |
| Weekly | $1,041.73 |
| Hourly | $26.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $45,040 | 180 |
| Bangor, ME | $43,880 | 340 |
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Dishwasher | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,000 | $22.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,470 | $17.53 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Portland-South Portland, ME
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 Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median salary for bartenders in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $54,170 a year, or $26.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn at least $103,710 a year. The top 25% earn $76,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,020 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $34,910 or less.
How many bartenders work in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 1,780 bartenders are employed in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.