What is the pay outlook for Retail & Food Services?
Job openings are high in retail and food services as more Americans spend money at stores and restaurants. While retail and food services wages are lower than the national average, wage growth is higher. Jobs in retail and food services generally require little formal education or training, making these jobs accessible to most job seekers.
Recent salaries shared by Barback
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Barback
|
1-3 years
$58K - $68K/yr
Nashville, TN
submitted on May 5, 2026
$58K - $68K/yr
Barback
|
1-3 years
$24K/yr
($24K • $0)
Scranton, PA
submitted on Apr 27, 2026
$24K/yr
$24K • $0
Barback
|
1-3 years
$37K/yr
($37K • $0)
Jackson Hole, WY
submitted on Apr 20, 2026
$37K/yr
$37K • $0
Barback
|
1-3 years
$37K/yr
($21K • $16K)
Tucson, AZ
submitted on Mar 27, 2026
$37K/yr
$21K • $16K
Barback
|
4-6 years
$33K/yr
($33K • $0)
Edison, NJ
submitted on Mar 26, 2026
$33K/yr
$33K • $0
Anonymously share your salary to help the community.
Barback
|
1-3 years
$24K - $28K/yr
Pittsburgh, PA
submitted on Mar 10, 2026
$24K - $28K/yr
Barback
|
1-3 years
$35K - $41K/yr
Chicago, IL
submitted on Mar 4, 2026
$35K - $41K/yr
Barback
|
1-3 years
$22K/yr
($22K • $0)
Pittsburgh, PA
submitted on Mar 4, 2026
$22K/yr
$22K • $0
Barback
|
7-9 years
$65K/yr
($65K • $0)
Midtown New York
submitted on Feb 25, 2026
$65K/yr
$65K • $0
Barback
|
1-3 years
$47K - $55K/yr
Nashville, TN
submitted on Feb 13, 2026
$47K - $55K/yr
Viewing 11 - 20 of 50
Top paying industries
The top 4 paying industries for Barback in United States are Hotels & Travel Accommodation with a median total pay of $53,779, Restaurants & Food Service with a median total pay of $50,656, Arts, Entertainment & Recreation with a median total pay of $47,805 and Retail & Wholesale with a median total pay of $44,216.
The average salary for Barback is $53,724 per year or $26 per hour, with top earners making up to $84,869 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $42,680 (25th percentile) to $68,629 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 1556 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Barback employees.
The highest salary for Barback is $68,629 per year, $5,719 per month or $33 per hour.
The lowest salary for Barback is $42,680 per year, $3,557 per month or $21 per hour.
The salary trajectory of Barback ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $58,889 per year (estimate) and goes up to $131,448 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
Barback jobs provide accessible work to candidates without training, education language, or interpersonal requirements. Pay for barback roles is relatively low, comparable to that of dishwashers or bussers, but ample holiday and night shift opportunities exist. This schedule makes bussing a great part-time role that can supplement other daytime work or schooling. Additionally, barbacks often receive perks such as free meals from their restaurants. Successful barbacks can progress into customer-facing roles such as waiter or waitress, where they can increase their pay through tips.
