Bartender salary in Wichita, KS
Bartenders in the Wichita, KS metro area earn a median of $28,540 a year ($13.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,420 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 2% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $27,940. There are 4.2 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Wichita, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,240 | $8.29 |
| 25th percentile | $21,470 | $10.32 |
| Median | $28,540 | $13.72 |
| 75th percentile | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Average (mean) | $37,910 | $18.23 |
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 | $2,378.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,189.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,097.69 |
| Weekly | $548.85 |
| Hourly | $13.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kansas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $30,300 | 4,890 |
| Lawrence, KS | $29,980 | 470 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $29,000 | 210 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 310 |
| Topeka, KS | $27,860 | 470 |
| Manhattan, KS | $27,160 | 250 |
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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wichita, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $24,190 | $11.63 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,550 | $13.25 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Dishwasher | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $25,580 | $12.30 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,250 | $13.58 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Wichita, KS
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 Wichita, KS?
The median salary for bartenders in the Wichita, KS metro area is $28,540 a year, or $13.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Wichita, KS?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Wichita, KS metro area earn at least $65,420 a year. The top 25% earn $51,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Wichita, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,240 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $21,470 or less.
How many bartenders work in Wichita, KS?
About 1,300 bartenders are employed in the Wichita, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.