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Bartenders

Food Preparation & Servicevery lowaugment
Projected change (est.): ~+3%
Median Wage (est.): ~$31,510
Employment (est.): ~654K

Overall Exposure

6+2

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

10

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

2

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

4

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 → 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

612
+6

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

1015
+5

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

26
+4

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

47
+3

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Task Breakdown

Mix drinks
3%β 0

About This Occupation

If you work as a Bartenders, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 4/100 and overall exposure at 6%, this role faces low transformation. The highest-impact area is mix drinks at 3% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role. BLS projects +3% growth through 2034. Professionals who embrace AI tools will see their capabilities significantly amplified.

ISCO-08 classification

Unit group 5132ILO official

Bartenders

Definition

ILO original text (English)

Bartenders prepare, mix and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks directly to customers over a bar or counter, or through waiters.

Definition & vocabulary source

Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure

License: ILO CC BY 4.0

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Official occupational information

  • ONET35-3011.00

    Bartenders

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

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Source: O*NET 30.2, U.S. DOL/ETA

License: CC BY 4.0

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Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 4%, Bartenders has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

Our estimated AI automation risk score for Bartenders is 4% for 2025. Estimated overall AI exposure is 6%, with 10% theoretical exposure and 2% observed exposure. The estimated risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +1 points. All of these are model-generated estimates, not measurements.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Bartenders are: Mix drinks (3%). These rates are our own estimates of how much of each task current AI systems can handle. They are not measurements and are not taken from any external dataset.

We estimate a +3% employment change for Bartenders between 2024 and 2034. This is our own estimate, not a figure published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with an estimated overall AI exposure of 6%, this occupation faces both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Bartenders should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.

Recent AI Impact Changes

May 2026: Anthropic observed-exposure score: 0% (physical/in-person). Zero observed exposure. Physical/in-person work — AI deployment effectively absent.

[Source: Anthropic Economic Research (Massenkoff & McCrory, 2026)]