Will AI replace bartenders?AI replacement risk 20% and how the work is changing

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$34,340

25th–75th pct. $27,400–$47,570

Top pay (est.)

$95,900

Top 10% $73,770

Pay in 5 years

$40,300est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$47,400est.

$40,800–$55,000

Outlook score

58/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

20%

Very low

Job growth (10 yr)

+5.0%

121K openings / yr

Will AI replace Bartenders? AI replacement risk

20%

Very low

Ranked #123 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations

Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Bartenders

Key skills

Active Listening

3.1

Service Orientation

3.1

Reading Comprehension

3.0

Social Perceptiveness

3.0

Coordination

3.0

Persuasion

3.0

Writing

3.0

Instructing

3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

5.0

English Language

3.8

Education and Training

3.4

Sales and Marketing

3.0

Mathematics

2.6

Law and Government

2.3

Administrative

2.3

Administration and Management

2.2

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicHandling and Moving ObjectsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCoaching and Developing OthersTraining and Teaching OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionNear VisionSpeech RecognitionProblem SensitivitySpeech Clarity

Education of workers

High school diploma

43%

Less than high school

37%

Some college

16%

Post-secondary certificate

Bachelor's degree

Training before entry

1–3 months

36%

None / short demo

32%

Up to 1 month

31%

6–12 months

Related work experience

1–2 years

26%

3–6 months

21%

6–12 months

18%

2–4 years

16%

None

12%

1–3 months

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Fast Food and Counter Workers Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages.	$31,200	57/100	30%
2	Waiters and Waitresses Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.	$35,230	50/100	18%
3	Cooks, Restaurant Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants.	$37,390	65/100	19%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.	$44,080	60/100	30%
5	Food Preparation Workers Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.	$35,320	42/100	30%
6	Cooks, Fast Food Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu.	$30,890	41/100	35%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.