Bartenders
SOC Code: 35-3011
Bartenders carries a 34% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $33,530 and +5.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 756,700 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 34% AI exposure, Bartenders sits 3 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 43% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Bartenders sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Bartenders has ai exposure of 34%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Bartenders vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Bartenders is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Bartenders (SOC 35-3011) carries an AI exposure score of 34%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 756,700 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.9% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $33,530, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Bartenders. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
- 2. Collect money for drinks served.
- 3. Balance cash receipts.
- 4. Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
- 5. Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
- 6. Attempt to limit problems and liability related to customers' excessive drinking by taking steps such as persuading customers to stop drinking, or ordering taxis or other transportation for intoxicated patrons.
- 7. Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
- 8. Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
- 9. Plan, organize, and control the operations of a cocktail lounge or bar.
- 10. Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins, or straws.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Persuasion
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Law and Government
- Sociology and Anthropology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Bartenders?
Bartenders has an AI exposure score of 34%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Bartenders?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Bartenders is projected to grow by 5.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 756,700 workers.
What skills are needed for Bartenders?
Key skills for Bartenders include Active Listening, Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Bartenders earn?
The median annual wage for Bartenders is $33,530, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Bartenders?
The typical entry-level education for Bartenders is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Bartenders?
Bartenders roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).