How much do Barbacks make in New York City, NY?

Barbacks in New York City earn $22.44–$33.66 per hour, adjusted for New York City's cost of living (index: 187). At 40 hours per week, that's roughly $4,858/month gross or $4,074 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 New York City on a Barback salary?

A one-bedroom apartment in New York City averages $3,500/month, which is about 86% of a full-time Barback's take-home pay ($4,074/month). Housing costs are steep relative to this salary. Many workers share apartments or commute from nearby suburbs.

Are Barback jobs available in New York City?

Yes — Barback positions are actively hiring in New York City through a staffing app. New York City is part of the New York-Newark-Jersey City area with strong demand in Finance and Hospitality. New shifts are posted daily and many are entry-level friendly.

What do I need to work as a Barback in New York City?

Most Barback positions in New York City require: Must be 18+ (21+ in some states); Ability to lift 30+ lbs; Comfortable standing for long periods. Key skills employers look for include Speed & efficiency, Physical stamina, Attention to detail. Most employers provide on-the-job training, so prior experience isn't always required.

Is New York City a good city for Barback work?

New York City's cost of living is 87% above the national average, and local barback pay generally reflects that adjustment. The Finance and Hospitality sectors typically drive demand for barback roles. Higher wages offset the above-average costs. Download the app to browse current shifts.

How quickly can I start as a Barback in New York City?

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

Hospitality

New York City, NY

Barback Jobs in New York City

Temp and flexible barback positions in New York City pay $22.44-$33.66/hr — 87% above the national average, with a cost of living 87% above the U.S. baseline.

$22-$34

Per Hour

$1122

Weekly (40hrs)

187

Cost Index

EST

Time Zone

Find Barback Shifts Calculate Earnings

Quick Facts

Top Industries in New York City

Finance

Hospitality

Tourism

Healthcare

Monthly Costs

1-Bed Rent$3500

Groceries$480

Transport$140

More about New York City

About Barback Jobs in New York City

Barbacks in New York City earn $22.44-$33.66/hr, above the national average.

Barbacks are essential support staff in bars and restaurants, assisting bartenders by stocking supplies, cleaning glasses, and ensuring the bar runs smoothly during busy service periods.

Most barback positions in New York City are available as temporary, part-time, or flexible shifts.

Barback Pay: New York City vs Nearby Cities

City	Hourly Pay	Cost of Living	1-Bed Rent
New York City, NY	$22–$34/hr	187	$3,500
Philadelphia, PA	$12–$18/hr	102	$1,550
Pittsburgh, PA	$12–$17/hr	93	$1,350
Boston, MA	$18–$27/hr	152	$2,800
Baltimore, MD	$13–$19/hr	107	$1,600

Worker Proprietary Metric

Worker Affordability Score

Calculated for Barback in New York City

1.3x

Challenging

125

Hours to pay rent

78%

Rent / gross income

Monthly disposable

36% less affordable than US national average

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

What You’ll Actually Earn in New York City

Monthly Income (40 hrs/wk)

Gross monthly$4,858

Est. taxes (~22%)-$1,069

Take-home$3,789

After Essential Costs

1-Bed Rent$3,500

Groceries + transport$620

Remaining$-331

Based on avg Barback rate of $28.05/hr at 40 hrs/wk.

Key Responsibilities

Restock bar supplies including glassware, ice, and garnishes
Clean and sanitize bar equipment and glassware
Assist bartenders during rush periods
Maintain cleanliness of bar area
Receive and store deliveries

Skills & Requirements

Key Skills

Speed & efficiency

Physical stamina

Attention to detail

Team communication

Organization

Requirements

Must be 18+ (21+ in some states)
Ability to lift 30+ lbs

Earnings Calculator for New York City

Calculate Your Barback Earningsin New York City

Hourly Rate$28/hr

$22.44/hr$33.66/hr

Hours per Week25 hr

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

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

Weekly

$850

Monthly

$3,681

Yearly

$44,200

Includes ~$150/week in estimated tips

Open Full Pay Calculator

Career Path from Barback

Barback

0-1 years

Bartender

1-3 years

Head Bartender

3-5 years

Bar Manager

5+ years

FAQs: Barback Jobs in New York City

Where Barbacks Work in New York City

New York City has active hiring opportunities for barbacks at these major employers. Compiled from public sources including the Bureau of Labor Statistics and company reports.

Javits 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

Madison Square Garden

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

Times Square hotels

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

New York City Job Market Snapshot

Top Industries for Barbacks

hospitality$14-$26/hr

healthcare$15-$23/hr

facilities$15-$22/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.

Barback Jobs in New York City

About Barback Jobs in New York City

Barback Pay: New York City vs Nearby Cities

Worker Affordability Score

What You’ll Actually Earn in New York City

Key Responsibilities

Skills & Requirements

Earnings Calculator for New York City

Career Path from Barback

FAQs: Barback Jobs in New York City

Explore More Opportunities

More Jobs in New York City

Barback in Other Cities

Related Resources

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Where Barbacks Work in New York City

New York City Job Market Snapshot

Data Sources & Methodology

Data Freshness

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