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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Bartenders

Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

Table 1. Percentage of bartenders with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Adaptability: Work schedule variability	83.9	16.1
Pace: Pause control	27.7	72.3
Working around crowds	9.7	90.3
Telework	<0.5	>99.5
Work review: Supervising others	0.9	99.1
Work review: Presence of supervisor	78.1	21.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs.

In 2024, prior work experience was required for 43.3 percent of bartenders and on-the-job training was required for 95.0 percent.

No minimum education was required for 72.2 percent of bartenders.

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2024, 85.9 percent of bartenders were not exposed to extreme cold, and greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was not present for 7.1 percent, greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to heavy vibrations, and 88.9 percent were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2024, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for 98.2 percent of bartenders and was not required for 1.8 percent. For 1.9 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom performed, for 66.1 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred occasionally, 30.2 percent frequently, and for less than 0.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 79.6 percent of bartenders and was not required for 20.4 percent.

On average, bartenders spent 2.5 percent of the workday sitting and 97.5 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of bartenders with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Choice of sitting or standing	<0.5	>99.5
Driving	<0.5	>99.5
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	15.2	84.8
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey