Bartenders

(NOC 6512)

in All Sales and Service

Bartenders mix and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. They work in restaurants, hotels, bars, taverns, private clubs, banquet halls and other licensed businesses. Supervisors of bartenders are included in this group.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 45 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$20.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$4,300

Minimum

$14,865

Median

$25,304

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Bartenders mix and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. They work in restaurants, hotels, bars, taverns, private clubs, banquet halls and other licensed businesses. Supervisors of bartenders are included in this group.

Job duties

Bartenders:

  • Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
  • Mix liquor, soft drinks, water, and other ingredients to prepare cocktails and other drinks.
  • Prepare mixed drinks, wine, draft or bottled beer and non-alcoholic beverages for food and beverage servers or serve directly to patrons.
  • Collect payment for beverages and record sales.
  • Maintain inventory and control of bar stock and order supplies.
  • Clean bar area and wash glassware.
  • Ensure compliance with provincial/territorial liquor legislation and regulations.
  • May train and supervise other bartenders and bar staff.
  • May hire and dismiss staff.

Sample job titles

  • bar attendant
  • bar steward
  • barkeeper
  • barman/barwoman
  • bartender
  • bartenders supervisor
  • head bartender
  • lounge supervisor-bartender
  • managing bartender

Skills

  • You should be friendly, well-spoken, well-groomed, and enthusiastic about the service. Good organizational and mathematical skills are necessary. You must be pleasant to both your customers and co-workers, even when working under pressure. The ability to remember details and orders is essential. You must also be able to move gracefully and quickly. Bartenders are on their feet most of the time and often have to carry heavy trays glassware, requiring physical fitness and stamina. For some positions, knowledge of a second language is an asset.

Job requirements

  • High school may be required.
  • College or other program in bartending or completion of courses in mixing drinks is usually required.
  • Responsible beverage service certification may be required.

Other considerations

  • Progression to managerial positions in food and beverage service is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,245

employed in 2016

55.4%

employed full-time

0.8%

self employed

57.8%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
42.2%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
33.7

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Where will I likely work?

52.2%

Halifax

$15,751 median annual income
19.1%

Cape Breton

$14,161 median annual income
10.8%

Annapolis Valley

$11,572 median annual income
9.6%

North Shore

$11,784 median annual income
8.4%

Southern

$15,321 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

72.9%

Accommodation and food services

9.5%

Other services (except public administration)

8.0%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

3.0%

Public administration

2.0%

Educational services

What is the age of Employment?

30.0%

25-34

26.0%

15-24

16.0%

35-44

12.0%

55-64

12.0%

45-54

5.0%

65+

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

36.1%

High school

$16,577 median annual income
23.3%

Bachelor

$13,727 median annual income
16.5%

College Diploma

$16,873 median annual income
13.3%

Less than high school

$7,964 median annual income
6.4%

Trade Certification

$15,330 median annual income

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Tourism Talent
Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Sector Council
Halifax, NS

Additional resources