Washington Bartender Jobs Overview
A sandwich walks into a bar. The bartender says, “Sorry, we don’t serve food here.”
If you spend enough time in bartender jobs, you will hear every “walks into a bar” joke ever written. A good bartender is likely to laugh along since being friendly with customers is one of the keys to success in the bartending industry.
And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the best bartenders are going to be in high demand. The BLS is projecting an impressive 32% growth in bartending jobs over the next 10 years, mostly in full-service restaurants and bars. Additional bartender jobs are opening up as more grocery stores and movie theaters offer beverage service to their customers.
Along with mixing and serving drinks, a bartender is often responsible for cleaning the bar, tables, and work areas, ordering liquor from suppliers, and preparing garnishes. Many bars offer food, requiring bartenders to take and serve orders. Two of the most critical responsibilities of bartenders are to make sure customers are of legal drinking age and to monitor customers to make sure they are not intoxicated to the point of impairment.
You can expand your search for food service jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Washington, D.C.
Looking for the cosmopolitan city life? Washington, D.C., has it all—combining history, politics, and culture to generate a distinctively energized metro atmosphere. And there's much more to the nation's capital than governmental concerns. Locals will tell you how well-developed the city is, with high-caliber museums (and architectural feats within and bordering the National Mall), loads of restaurants to satisfy any true foodie, convenient public transportation, and opportunities for green-space adventures in national and state parks right outside the urban core.
Washington, D.C., jobs are also expected to grow by 33.7% in the next 10 years (a faster rate than the U.S. average of 33.5%), so now's a great time to make a career move. Cost of living is higher than the national average, but that isn't unusual, given the nature of the location (and you're likely to find a higher-paying job here as well). Additionally, employment and housing possibilities are plentiful in the greater D.C. area, with headquarters for various businesses, corporate sprawls, and government contractors. So you may want to explore nearby Alexandria in Virginia and Bowie, Rockville, and Annapolis in Maryland for further job openings too.
Update Your Washington Bartender Resume
If you need to concoct a resume, or just refresh yours, look at this sample bartender resume to see what information to include. An accompanying cover letter is a plus when applying for bartender jobs because it can convey your personality and enthusiasm for your work. If you’re applying for your first bartender positions, be sure to mention any past jobs that have required customer service, since that’s a critical skill for a bartender.
How Much Do Bartender Jobs Pay in Washington, D.C.?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in bartender jobs in Washington, D.C., as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median bartender pay in Washington is $12.75 per hour, which is 10% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Washington Bartender Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in bartender? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those bartender jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Washington, how to nail your job interview, and more.