How much do Bartenders make in Durham, NC?

Bartenders in Durham earn $15.00–$23.50 per hour, adjusted for Durham's cost of living (index: 94). At 40 hours per week, that's roughly $3,334/month gross or $2,849 after estimated taxes. Actual take-home pay varies by filing status, deductions, and state/local taxes. Rates vary by employer, shift timing, and experience.

Can I afford a one-bedroom in Durham on a Bartender salary?

A one-bedroom apartment in Durham averages $1,400/month, which is about 49% of a full-time Bartender's take-home pay ($2,849/month). Housing costs are steep relative to this salary. Many workers share apartments or commute from nearby suburbs.

Are Bartender jobs available in Durham?

Yes — Bartender positions are actively hiring in Durham through a staffing app. Durham is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill area with strong demand in Healthcare and Education. New shifts are posted daily and many are entry-level friendly.

What do I need to work as a Bartender in Durham?

Most Bartender positions in Durham require: Must be 21+ years old; TIPS or ServSafe Alcohol certification; Knowledge of drink recipes and techniques. Key skills employers look for include Mixology, Customer service, Memory & recall. Most employers provide on-the-job training, so prior experience isn't always required.

Is Durham a good city for Bartender work?

Durham's cost of living is 6% below the national average, and local bartender pay generally reflects that adjustment. The Healthcare and Education sectors typically drive demand for bartender roles. Lower living costs mean your paycheck goes further here. Download the app to browse current shifts.

How quickly can I start as a Bartender in Durham?

Most workers start within 1-3 days of applying through the app. Download the app, complete your profile, and browse available Bartender shifts in Durham. You can accept shifts directly and start earning immediately.

Hospitality

Durham, NC

Bartender Jobs in Durham

Temp and flexible bartender positions in Durham pay $15.00-$23.50/hr — 4% below the national average, with a cost of living 6% below the U.S. baseline.

$15-$24

Per Hour

$770

Weekly (40hrs)

Cost Index

EST

Time Zone

Find Bartender Shifts Calculate Earnings

Quick Facts

Top Industries in Durham

Healthcare

Education

Technology

Hospitality

Monthly Costs

1-Bed Rent$1400

Groceries$320

Transport$80

More about Durham

About Bartender Jobs in Durham

Bartenders in Durham earn $15.00-$23.50/hr, below the national average.

Bartenders mix and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, create cocktails, engage with customers, and manage the bar area in restaurants, bars, hotels, and event venues.

Most bartender positions in Durham are available as temporary, part-time, or flexible shifts.

Bartender Pay: Durham vs Nearby Cities

City	Hourly Pay	Cost of Living	1-Bed Rent
Durham, NC	$15–$24/hr	94	$1,400
Charlotte, NC	$15–$24/hr	95	$1,450
Nashville, TN	$15–$25/hr	99	$1,650
Atlanta, GA	$15–$25/hr	101	$1,700
Orlando, FL	$15–$24/hr	96	$1,500

Worker Proprietary Metric

Worker Affordability Score

Calculated for Bartender in Durham

2.2x

Tight Budget

Hours to pay rent

45%

Rent / gross income

602

Monthly disposable

10% more affordable than US national average

Data based on BLS OEWS wage data and HUD 2024 fair market rents.

What You’ll Actually Earn in Durham

Monthly Income (40 hrs/wk)

Gross monthly$3,334

Est. taxes (~22%)-$733

Take-home$2,601

After Essential Costs

1-Bed Rent$1,400

Groceries + transport$400

Remaining$801

Based on avg Bartender rate of $19.25/hr at 40 hrs/wk.

Key Responsibilities

Mix and serve cocktails, beer, wine, and other beverages
Check IDs and ensure responsible alcohol service
Build rapport with customers and provide recommendations
Maintain accurate tabs and process payments
Keep bar area clean and stocked

Skills & Requirements

Key Skills

Mixology

Customer service

Memory & recall

Cash handling

Speed & multitasking

Requirements

Must be 21+ years old
TIPS or ServSafe Alcohol certification

Earnings Calculator for Durham

Calculate Your Bartender Earningsin Durham

Hourly Rate$19/hr

$15/hr$23.5/hr

Hours per Week25 hr

5 hr (Part-time)50 hr (Full-time+)

Include tips ($2-$10/hr average)

Weekly

$625

Monthly

$2,706

Yearly

$32,500

Includes ~$150/week in estimated tips

Open Full Pay Calculator

Career Path from Bartender

Bartender

0-3 years

Head Bartender

3-5 years

Bar Manager

5-7 years

Beverage Director

7+ years

FAQs: Bartender Jobs in Durham

Where Bartenders Work in Durham

Durham has active hiring opportunities for bartenders at these major employers. Compiled from public sources including the Bureau of Labor Statistics and company reports.

Durham Performing Arts Center

Hospitality & Dining

hospitality

$14-$26/hr(Indeed)

~280 seasonal hires, 140+ ongoing

Day, Evening, Night, Weekend shifts

Peak hiring: May, June & December

Source: BLS QCEW metro patterns, company careers | Verified: 2026-04-13

American Tobacco Campus Dining

Hospitality & Dining

hospitality

$14-$26/hr(Indeed)

~280 seasonal hires, 140+ ongoing

Day, Evening, Night, Weekend shifts

Peak hiring: May, June & December

Source: BLS QCEW metro patterns, company careers | Verified: 2026-04-13

Durham Job Market Snapshot

Top Industries for Bartenders

healthcare$15-$23/hr

facilities$15-$22/hr

hospitality$14-$26/hr

Best Times to Apply

June - Summer peak hiring

November - Holiday season

March - Spring events & tourism

Major Employment Areas

Metro core & corridorsVaries by submarket

Airport logistics zoneWarehouse & cargo

Healthcare & education clusterHospitals & campuses

Last updated: 2026-04-13

Data Sources & Methodology

The information on this page is compiled from the following sources:

[1]
BLS QCEW — Employment and wage data at state and county level by industry.Visit
[2]
BLS CES — Monthly survey of ~670,000 worksites providing industry-level employment and earnings data.Visit
[3]
Census ACS — Demographic, economic, and housing data for communities.Visit
[4]
Indeed Hiring Lab — Monthly posted-wage data by job title from Indeed job listings.Visit
[5]
MWPVL — Comprehensive database of distribution center and warehouse locations.Visit
[6]
DOL/State Labor Depts — Minimum wage rates, tip credits, licensing requirements, and regulations by state.Visit

Data Freshness

CategoryCost of Living

Last Updated2026-01-15

Next Update2027-01-15

We strive to keep all data accurate and up-to-date. Pay rates may vary based on location, experience, and employer.

About this data

Figures on this page are compiled from the public sources cited above and may be out of date. They are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional career, legal, tax, or financial advice. For the most current pay rates, verify with the original source, a qualified professional, or check the Indeed Flex app directly for real-time shift availability and compensation.

Bartender Jobs in Durham

About Bartender Jobs in Durham

Bartender Pay: Durham vs Nearby Cities

Worker Affordability Score

What You’ll Actually Earn in Durham

Key Responsibilities

Skills & Requirements

Earnings Calculator for Durham

Career Path from Bartender

FAQs: Bartender Jobs in Durham

Explore More Opportunities

More Jobs in Durham

Bartender in Other Cities

Related Resources

Ready to Find Your Next Shift?

Where Bartenders Work in Durham

Durham Job Market Snapshot

Data Sources & Methodology

Data Freshness

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