How Much Does a Barback Make?

Barbacks help bartenders to keep restaurant bars stocked with all the liquor, wine, beer, spirits, and mixers that they need throughout the shift. They also help to keep the bar clean and ensure that guests receive timely service.

Barbacks work hard to keep the pace of bar service on track. In this article, we’ll discuss how much barbacks make according to our research. And we’ll provide some tips for how barbacks can increase their wages.

How much do Barbacks Make?

On average, barbacks make about $11 an hour. Their average salary range is from $17,000 to $35,000 annually. We got those numbers from these three sources:

• Salary.com reports that the average barback salary is $11 an hour, and they cite a range between $10 and $12 an hour. If working full-time, $11/hour is about $22,000 annually.

• Comparably.com reports that barbacks earn between $16,950 and $37,400 annually, with a national average salary of $24,523.

• Zippia.com reports that the top 10% of barbacks earn $33,000 annually, while the bottom 10% of earners make $19,000. The average wage for barbacks they report is $12.17/hour for a total of $25,316 a year.

One of the best ways to determine how much you should earn as a barback is by talking to other barbacks in your area. Ask barbacks at similar restaurants and bars how much they earn to get an idea of what your skills and labor are worth. It might seem taboo to discuss earnings, but asking others how much they make can help you to know when you’re being compensated fairly.

Barbacks Earn Hourly Wages and Tip Share

In most restaurants and bars, barbacks earn both a set, hourly wage while also earning a percentage of the tips earned by bartenders. Not all bars and restaurants have tip-sharing programs, but most barbacks can expect to be “tipped out” by the bartenders they work with.

In some restaurants, bartenders are required to share a certain percentage of their tips with support staff such as barbacks. In other bars and restaurants, though, bartenders will individually determine how much of their tips to share with barbacks each shift.

What influences Barback’s Wages?

The amount that a barback earns is typically influenced by the duties and responsibilities in their job description. Barbacks are flexible workers that take on the tasks for which bartenders are too busy. So, the amount of work and skills required for those tasks is related to how they are compensated.

The kind of restaurant where you work as a barback will also influence your wages. The busiest restaurants and bars tend to require support staff like barbacks. But that means that when sales are slow, barbacks might be the first to lose hours. And fewer customers means fewer tips and lower income from tip share.

Finally, barbacks’ wages are dependent on their skills and experiences. Restaurants and bars are more likely to start employees at a higher wage if they have a history of work experience in the industry. 

How to Increase Your Earnings as a Barback

Barbacking is a great entry-level role for workers who want to learn the ropes of the restaurant industry. Most restaurants and bars will hire barbacks who have little or no experience in the industry. So, the position often comes with valuable training and helps you to gain skills.

While you will have to meet your state’s guidelines for the age at which people can begin to serve or sell alcohol, you might not always have to have the same certifications as bartenders. That way, you can begin working while earning the certifications and licenses required to serve alcoholic beverages in your state.

The natural career progression for a barback is becoming a bartender. Pay close attention to how the bartenders in your restaurant or bar work and begin to demonstrate the skills required of bartenders. Then, if a position comes available it will be simple for you to jump into the role and begin earning higher wages.

Keep in mind that restaurants often reward loyalty. Working at the same restaurant or bar for a long time and waiting for the opportunity to move into higher-paying positions is often a better strategy than trying to jump into roles at other companies or restaurants.

Negotiating Higher Barback Wages

There are two ways to negotiate higher earnings as a barback: you can either advocate for a higher hourly wage or a higher percentage of tips share. Either way, you will have to show the management staff of the restaurant or bar that you bring valuable skills to the job.

When negotiating for a higher wage, make a list of some specific times when you helped the bar to run smoothly. If you often take on tasks or roles that are outside your job description, talk to management about how you might be compensated for that labor.

Asking for a higher percentage of tip share might be more tricky. Many bars have established tip-sharing policies that apply to all the support staff in the restaurant. You might broach this topic if you find that the percentage of tip share at your bar or restaurant is lower than many similar establishments in your area.

Support Your Career Goals as a Barback

Barbacking is a crucial support role in busy bars and restaurants. If they hired you, that means that the restaurant wouldn’t function as smoothly, or as profitably, without you. Working as a barback is an excellent way to learn the ropes of the industry and gain valuable skills to help you build a career in the food and beverage industry.

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