Do Barbacks make tips?

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Barbacks are usually paid hourly, plus tips. The minimum tipped wage varies by state, but the national average annual salary for barbacks is $20,018 before tips, according to Glassdoor. Most restaurants tip out their barbacks, which can leave them making more than non-tipped positions like cooks and dishwashers.



Subsequently, one may also ask, how much tips do Barbacks get?

The tip out to the barbacks can be anywhere from 1-2% of sales or between 5-20% of tips. If a busy bartender makes $200-300 in tips for the night – on $1500 in sales, the tip out will be anywhere from $10 to $60. Now multiply that by four bartenders and you're looking at an average of about $100.

Subsequently, question is, how much does a barback make a week? National Average
Salary Range (Percentile)
25th Average
Monthly Salary $1,542 $2,003
Weekly Salary $356 $462
Hourly Salary $9 $12

Accordingly, how much do Barbacks make per hour?

The median 50 percent reported hourly earnings of between $8.25 and $9.57 and salaries of between $17,170 and $19,900 per year. Many barbacks depend on tips for a portion of their income; typically, a bartender will give barbacks a percentage of the tips earned for the night.

Do Barbacks make drinks?

While barbacks do not typically make drinks or take orders from customers, they have to practice many of the same skills that a good bartender has: efficiency, organization, the ability to multitask, and keen observation. It's also important to remember that heavy lifting is often involved in the barback position.

38 Related Question Answers Found

Do Barbacks make more than Bussers?

Most restaurants tip out their barbacks, which can leave them making more than non-tipped positions like cooks and dishwashers. In many cases, each bartender will tip out the barback at the end of the shift, anywhere from 1-2% of sales or 5-20% of tips, according to Bars and Bartending.

Are Barbacks hard?

Make no mistake – barbacking is a tough job. But it's absolutely vital to our industry and to any high volume bar. And it's also a fantastic stepping stone to work your way up to a bartending job. If you work hard, pay attention, and try to get better every day, then you'll make a fantastic barback!

How should I dress for a barback interview?

Tops: Wear a plain fitted button up, or a plain practical blouse – a dress is too much. Bottoms: The Bartenders usually either wear a dark slim skirt, or dark slim jeans, whichever they do, you do the same. If it's jeans, then wear dark jeans (black or indigo), with no washes or rips.

How long are Barback shifts?

Average is between 5-7 hours though. Between 5-8 hours. Shifts are schedules to be either 5 hours or 7 hours (openers/closers are 7 hour shifts, cocktail/mids are 5's) and we're usually pretty good about not going over too much.

Do bartenders tip out bussers?


Those percentages are fairly generous compared to other restaurants, but can work when tickets are high and when there are relatively few servers aided by each busser or bartender. A general rule of thumb is to expect overall tip outs of about 20-30%.

What makes a great bartender?

A good bartender is any bartender with the ability to provide outstanding customer service, using their experience, knowledge and skill. A good bartender will also possess a positive attitude, and will have a willingness to give their best and constantly learn new skills.

How do I become a good Barback?

Here are six skills every barback should master and how you can train them up.
  1. Bar setup and bar breakdown.
  2. Cleaning and polishing glassware.
  3. Running dishes from the kitchen to bar patrons.
  4. Maintaining the bar during a shift.
  5. Pouring beer or wine if your bar team is slammed.
  6. Managing inventory and restocking the bar.

How can I get a bar job with no experience?

Bartender Resource: 20 Tips To Help You Get A Bar Job Without Experience
  1. First and foremost: have a positive attitude.
  2. Have an awesome resume.
  3. Have glowing references.
  4. Get qualified.
  5. Dress the part.
  6. Hold yourself with confidence.
  7. Know the basics, and if you don't, do a bar course.
  8. Be prepared to volunteer.

Do you need experience to be a barback?

To become a barback, you may need a high school diploma or equivalent. Though some jobs require bar or restaurant work experience, many barback jobs will provide on-the-job training.

Whats it like being a barback?


"A barback has to move efficiently, quickly, have a strong work ethic. Being a great barback, the number one thing is anticipation. Knowing what the bartender is going to need before he does." That can be hard, considering bartenders can be impatient, drunken jerks at their worst.

How much do Barbacks make in California?

What Is the Average Barback Salary by State
State Hourly Wage Annual Salary
California - Barback Salary $11.37 $23,653
Virginia - Barback Salary $11.32 $23,536
Arizona - Barback Salary $11.19 $23,285
New Jersey - Barback Salary $11.12 $23,135

How much do Barbacks make in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA Average
Salary Range (Percentile)
25th Average
Annual Salary $19,569 $25,428
Monthly Salary $1,631 $2,119
Weekly Salary $376 $489

How much money does a bartender make?

This makes it very difficult to know exactly how much an individual bartender is earning. According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), a bartender's average hourly rate (tips included) is around $12.30 ($25,580 per year) and the top earners are making $19.34 an hour ($40,230 per year).

How much do Barbacks make Reddit?


They split pouring almost 50/50, and barback does the majority of the cleanup and stock. They end up splitting tips 50/50 and make the same hourly. Minimum wage + 20% of ours. It's a 4 hour shift and they walk with $60-$80, cash.

What does a barback do Reddit?

Is it worth it to barback? Barbacking is all of the physical work of bartending without any of the perks. You'll never see the kind of money you would behind the bar. Barbacking can be solid, hourly work, if you're tipped out well.

Is bartending a good career?

It's Incredibly Rewarding
It can feel a little overwhelming when you're behind the bar with so many jobs to do and drink recipes to remember. But when you make the perfect mojito and the customer enjoys it, it's a great achievement. This is why bartending can be so rewarding.