Cocktail waitressing can be a lucrative profession in the right setting.Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Im...

1. The Typical Pay for a Cocktail Waitress
Cocktail waitressing can be a lucrative profession in the
right setting.
Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images

2. What's Hot!
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3. Typical Income of a Waitress
A cocktail waitress serves drinks in settings such as bars, nightclubs, casinos and resorts. The
typical pay for a cocktail waitress varies depending upon the demographics and region where the job
is located, as well as the hours worked and the type of establishment. Cocktail waitresses usually
work for an hourly wage and tips rather than salaries, and can either earn individual tips or work on
a shared system where tips are split between waiters, bartenders and hostesses.
Average Salary
The median salary for a cocktail waitress in the United States is $15,261 per year, according to
national data. This number can vary greatly, however, depending on location, type of venue, and
benefits offered. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, an employer can consider tips as part of
wages, but the employer must pay at least $2.13 an hour in direct wages. Some cocktail waitresses
are offered a base hourly wage that is higher. Due to the low median figure, it is likely that many
cocktail waitresses work on a part-time basis.
Location Matters
Location means a lot in terms of average annual income for servers, waitresses, bartenders and
others working in the hospitality industry. In a tourist-heavy area like Miami or Las Vegas, a cocktail
waitress can expect to make more than in cities that are not tourist destinations. The main reason is
that people on vacation or attending business conventions tend to spend more money and tip better
than those who aren't.
Related Reading: How to Get a Job as a Waitress
National Averages for Cocktail Waitress Salaries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which lumps bartenders and cocktail waitresses into one category
under food and beverage servers, reports that the median pay in 2011 was $18,1300 per year. Tips
skew a cocktail waitress's earnings higher or lower, depending on the customer. This is one of the
less predictable parts of the job, but in certain settings, such as cruise ships or resorts, gratuities
are automatically added to drink orders.
Skills Necessary to Become a Cocktail Waitress
To be a cocktail waitress, you'll need basic math skills because handling cash is a key part of the job.
You should be able to count change quickly, and also hold several orders in your head at once
without the help of a pen and pad. Some nightclubs and casinos are busy and fast-paced, so the
ability to maintain your concentration and focus in a hectic environment is also key. You must know
the basic ingredients in most cocktails. Bartending skills are a plus. Additionally, you might be asked
to perform side work such as straightening and wiping tables, refilling garnish trays, slicing fruits
and keeping the bar tidy.
About the Author

4. Jan Archer began writing professionally in 2007. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science
and a master's degree in creative writing. Archer has researched and co-written trade books for
Books-a-Million and has written numerous articles on green living, health and nutrition, education
and a variety of other topics. She teaches business writing and composition, and offers private web
consulting and editing for small businesses.
Photo Credits
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