Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Food service, cleaning, and personal care / 35-3011.00

Bartenders

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

US jobs
756,390
Median wage
$34,340 a year
Job family
Food service, cleaning, and personal care

Can agents do the work of bartenders?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Food service, cleaning, and personal care: Not yet (first measured in the last 12 months)

Direct benchmarks exist, but agents complete less than 20% of their tasks.

Evidence: BEHAVIOR Challenge 2025, 12.4% of tasks fully completed (Full task success rate).

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 16%Provide food or beverage servicesNot measured
  • 14%Maintain safety or securityNot measured
  • 12%Execute financial transactionsNot measured
  • 8%Direct organizational operations, activities, or proceduresNot measured
  • 7%Prepare foods or beveragesNot measured
  • 6%Clean workpieces, finished products, or other objectsNot measured
  • 6%Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areasNot measured
  • 6%Develop recipes or menusNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in food service, cleaning, and personal care, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
  • Collect money for drinks served.
  • Balance cash receipts.
  • Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
  • Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
  • Attempt to limit problems and liability related to customers' excessive drinking by taking steps such as persuading customers to stop drinking, or ordering taxis or other transportation for intoxicated patrons.
  • Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
  • Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
  • Plan, organize, and control the operations of a cocktail lounge or bar.
  • Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins, or straws.
  • Serve snacks or food items to customers seated at the bar.
  • Mix ingredients, such as liquor, soda, water, sugar, and bitters, to prepare cocktails and other drinks.
Other job titles for this occupation (16)

Banquet Bartender · Bar Captain · Bartender · Mixologist · Bar Attendant · Bar Tender · Barkeep · Barkeeper · Barmaid · Barman · Catering Bartender · Drink Mixer · Event Bartender · Restaurant Bartender · Service Bartender · Taproom Attendant