How much do Bartenders make in San Diego, CA?

Bartenders in San Diego earn $21.90–$36.50 per hour, adjusted for San Diego's cost of living (index: 146). At 40 hours per week, that's roughly $5,057/month gross or $4,234 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 San Diego on a Bartender salary?

A one-bedroom apartment in San Diego averages $2,400/month, which is about 57% of a full-time Bartender's take-home pay ($4,234/month). Housing costs are steep relative to this salary. Many workers share apartments or commute from nearby suburbs.

Are Bartender jobs available in San Diego?

Yes — Bartender positions are actively hiring in San Diego through a staffing app. San Diego is part of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area with strong demand in Tourism and Military. New shifts are posted daily and many are entry-level friendly.

What do I need to work as a Bartender in San Diego?

Most Bartender positions in San Diego 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 San Diego a good city for Bartender work?

San Diego's cost of living is 46% above the national average, and local bartender pay generally reflects that adjustment. The Tourism and Military sectors typically drive demand for bartender roles. Higher wages offset the above-average costs. Download the app to browse current shifts.

How quickly can I start as a Bartender in San Diego?

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

Hospitality

San Diego, CA

Bartender Jobs in San Diego

Temp and flexible bartender positions in San Diego pay $21.90-$36.50/hr — 46% above the national average, with a cost of living 46% above the U.S. baseline.

$22-$37

Per Hour

$1168

Weekly (40hrs)

146

Cost Index

PST

Time Zone

Find Bartender Shifts Calculate Earnings

Quick Facts

Top Industries in San Diego

Tourism

Military

Biotech

Healthcare

Monthly Costs

1-Bed Rent$2400

Groceries$400

Transport$110

More about San Diego

About Bartender Jobs in San Diego

Bartenders in San Diego earn $21.90-$36.50/hr, above 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 San Diego are available as temporary, part-time, or flexible shifts.

Bartender Pay: San Diego vs Nearby Cities

City	Hourly Pay	Cost of Living	1-Bed Rent
San Diego, CA	$22–$37/hr	146	$2,400
Las Vegas, NV	$15–$25/hr	98	$1,350
Reno, NV	$15–$25/hr	101	$1,400
San Francisco, CA	$27–$45/hr	180	$3,200
San Jose, CA	$25–$42/hr	166	$2,800

Worker Proprietary Metric

Worker Affordability Score

Calculated for Bartender in San Diego

1.9x

Challenging

Hours to pay rent

51%

Rent / gross income

734

Monthly disposable

3% 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 San Diego

Monthly Income (40 hrs/wk)

Gross monthly$5,057

Est. taxes (~22%)-$1,113

Take-home$3,944

After Essential Costs

1-Bed Rent$2,400

Groceries + transport$510

Remaining$1,034

Based on avg Bartender rate of $29.20/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 San Diego

Calculate Your Bartender Earningsin San Diego

Hourly Rate$29/hr

$21.9/hr$36.5/hr

Hours per Week25 hr

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

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

Weekly

$875

Monthly

$3,789

Yearly

$45,500

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 San Diego

Where Bartenders Work in San Diego

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

San Diego Convention 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

Petco Park

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

Hotel del Coronado

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

San Diego Job Market Snapshot

Top Industries for Bartenders

healthcare$15-$23/hr

hospitality$14-$26/hr

industrial$17-$23/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 San Diego

About Bartender Jobs in San Diego

Bartender Pay: San Diego vs Nearby Cities

Worker Affordability Score

What You’ll Actually Earn in San Diego

Key Responsibilities

Skills & Requirements

Earnings Calculator for San Diego

Career Path from Bartender

FAQs: Bartender Jobs in San Diego

Explore More Opportunities

More Jobs in San Diego

Bartender in Other Cities

Related Resources

Ready to Find Your Next Shift?

Where Bartenders Work in San Diego

San Diego Job Market Snapshot

Data Sources & Methodology

Data Freshness

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