Bartender salary in Washington
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A bartender in Washington earns a median of $55,830 a year ($26.84/hour equivalent), 62.6% above the national median of $34,340. Washington ranks #3 of 51 states. About 16,800 people do this job in Washington.
Take-home pay in Washington
At the Washington median, a single filer keeps about $46,265 a year after federal, FICA and Washington taxes — $1,779 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the Washington paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,147.31
- Federal income tax
- −$173.83
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$133.13
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$31.14
- Washington income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- WA Paid Family & Medical Leave
- −$17.33
- WA Cares Fund
- −$12.45
- Take-home pay
- $1,779.42
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $55,830
- Federal
- $4,520
- FICA
- $4,271
- State + local
- $774
- Net
- $46,265
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How Washington compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hawaii | $76,490 |
| #2 | New York | $61,210 |
| #3 | Washington | $55,830 |
| #4 | District of Columbia | $53,920 |
| #5 | Maine | $48,920 |
| #49 | Iowa | $21,720 |
| #50 | Louisiana | $20,850 |
| #51 | South Carolina | $19,370 |
See the national bartender salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Bartenders (SOC 35-3011), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Washington?
The median salary is $55,830 a year and the average is $60,010 (BLS May 2025).
Is Washington a good state for bartenders?
Washington ranks #3 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 63% above the national median of $34,340.
What is $55,830 after taxes in Washington?
About $46,265 a year ($1,779 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.