Funny you should say that....

I have a few friends that bartend 5 days a week, and get 6 digit incomes every year, 75% of which is CASH. I know waitresses that earn over 75K a year. I know MANY programmers, accountants, etc that dont make near that.

On a sidenote, i cut my shifts down to three, but with 5 shifts, I would bring home about 2000-2500 a week CASH. Thats not too bad, regardless of job title. Sure its not as nice as being in the financial district, but I make tons of money, doing something fun.

Although you cant take my earnings and apply it to "all" bartending, since I do it in NYC. Professional bartenders (marriot marquis, plaza hotel) earn over 115K a year, with benefits. Bartending is NOT a deadend job.

I managed bars, restaurants concert venues (hammerstein ballroom) and didnt make half of what I make bartending. Think about it, 2000 a week, x 50 weeks (assume 2 for vacation) is $100,000 CASH!. In NY, anything over 79K is subject to 43%-47% tax.
Meaning, its an almost $185,000+ dollar a year job! Most people dont make that money, regardless of field. (not doctors and lawyers and such)

 

well, that's the exception, and one can only do that for a relatively small portion of their life. Once you're no longer "cute" or pleasant to look at, they will replace you. Once you get into your late 30's, you start going downhill till yer at IHOP. Also, the cost of living in NYC is close to double that of most of the US.

Also, outside of NYC (except maybe chicago or LA or sanfran's gay areas), bartending is not a high-pay gig. I'm not disagreeing with you, but take an area like Dallas, and you have only a few areas where bar tenders make really good money.