Did you know that there are currently over half a million bartenders employed in the United States?
With such a wide field, it can be hard to stand out as a bartender. You might not know how to work your way toward earning more than an average California bartender salary. You may not even know what training you need.
Luckily, that’s where we come in. We’ll explain how to make more money as a bartender, as well as all you need to know about RBS certification.
If you’re ready to dive into improving your bartender career, then keep reading!
How to Become a Bartender
If you haven’t become a bartender yet, you may be wondering where you can start. You’ll want as much of an advantage as you can get.
Fortunately, you can get any of the bartender jobs you want with two simple steps. By keeping these in mind, you’ll have an advantage over other candidates who apply to the same bartender jobs as you.
RBS Certification
RBS certification is an essential part of bartender training. Often shortened to just RBS training, responsible beverage service training is mandated by the state of California. You must have RBS training if you would like to become a bartender.
If you receive bartender training before you start looking for jobs as a bartender, it will grant you an advantage over other people who apply.
You’ll be able to begin bartending immediately after being hired. Someone who hasn’t completed this, on the other hand, would have to obtain an RBS certification before they can bartend.
The fact that you could start sooner will make you more appealing in the eyes of the person interviewing you. In addition, you are already familiar with California alcohol laws, marking you as a trustworthy candidate.
Remember: Bartending Is a Career
As you look for jobs, remember that bartending is a serious career. Many people treat it as a stepping stone, a job that might get them through college. The fact of the matter is that bartending can be a lifelong career if you treat it right.
If you can prove to the interviewer that you would like to make a career out of bartending, you’ll show that you are a valuable candidate. You’re someone who might still be at that job five or ten years down the line.
Interviewers appreciate people who are applying with the intent of staying at their business long-term. It shows you’re dependable and they can count on you.
Average California Bartender Salary
According to Indeed, the average California bartender salary is just over 51,000 dollars a year. This is equivalent to nearly seventeen dollars an hour, just over the national average.
Fifty thousand a year is a decent salary to start with, but you might find yourself wanting a better salary. While you can work towards getting a raise, that’s not an immediate way to get more money.
The answer to the question of “how to make more money as a bartender” is simple- start with focusing on tips.
How to Make More Money as a Bartender
As a server or bartender it is a good practice to constantly be seeking to improve your job. Part of doing this can be seeking to improve your job performance. There are many ways you can do this.
Proving that you’re good at your job can be as simple as improving your skills or providing excellent customer service. Both of these will mark you as a skilled bartender and greatly increase the chances of you being paid more.
Improve Your Skills
The first thing you can do to earn more money is to improve your skills. Having good skills will give you a chance at earning more tips and earning a raise.
Good bartending skills can be as simple as being prompt with refills for your customers or knowing bartender requirements.
Good bartending skills also involve being familiar with the menu. Know extra details about each product so you can answer any questions that people ask you.
In addition, choose one item off the menu that you enjoy. People might ask you for a personal recommendation, and being able to provide one will showcase your abilities.
Add Some Flair
Something that you can do to earn more tips is add some flair to your bartending. Put on a show as you pour drinks for people. Make your drinks with your own distinctive smile.
You can also do things to show that you’re enjoying yourself, such as dancing or humming to the music playing. Make sure you interact with your customers as you’re serving them.
Happiness is contagious. If you’re enjoying yourself and showing that you’re having a good time, your customers will want to share that joy.
Happier customers and some showmanship will surely increase the amount of tips that you take home.
Know Your Customers
Another thing you can do to increase your tips is to get to know your customers. Learn their orders so that you can provide your customers with what they want sooner.
In addition, be friendly with them! Provide a listening ear and let them know you’re there for them if they’re struggling.
People love feeling heard, and they love bonding with other people. If they perceive you as being able to support them in a time of need, they’ll surely want to support you in return.
Get a Better Salary
Now that we’ve answered the question “how to make more money as a bartender,” we hope that you’re ready to increase your California bartender salary. As you work towards getting a better salary, keep the advice you’ve been given in mind.
We suggest that you make sure you have RBS certification and that it is up-to-date first. RBS training is required by the state of California in order to serve liquor.
Start your RBS training online today– take your first steps toward becoming a better bartender!