Hospitality & Tourism

Sommelier Salary

Sommeliers are wine professionals who curate wine lists, recommend pairings, and manage wine programs for restaurants and hotels.

Median Salary
$62,000
Mean Salary
$72,400
Total Employed
8,400
Job Growth
+12%

Sommelier Salary by Experience Level

Entry-level sommeliers earn around $35,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $65,000. Senior-level sommeliers can earn $118,000 or more.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$35,000
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$65,000
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$118,000

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Salary Percentile Breakdown

The salary range for sommeliers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $32,000, while the top 10% earn $125,000.

Percentile Annual Salary
10th Percentile $32,000
25th Percentile $44,000
50th Percentile (Median) $62,000
75th Percentile $92,000
90th Percentile $125,000

Sommelier Salary by State

Sommelier salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $105,400, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $51,460.

State Median
#1 Hawaii $105,400 Details →
#2 California $85,560 Details →
#3 Massachusetts $83,700 Details →
#4 Alaska $76,880 Details →
#5 New York $75,640 Details →
#6 New Jersey $71,300 Details →
#7 Washington $71,300 Details →
#8 Connecticut $69,440 Details →
#9 Maryland $68,200 Details →
#10 Oregon $68,200 Details →
#11 Colorado $65,100 Details →
#12 New Hampshire $65,100 Details →
#13 Rhode Island $65,100 Details →
#14 Virginia $64,480 Details →
#15 Delaware $62,620 Details →
#16 Vermont $62,620 Details →
#17 Florida $60,760 Details →
#18 Maine $60,760 Details →
#19 Arizona $60,140 Details →
#20 Minnesota $60,140 Details →
#21 Nevada $60,140 Details →
#22 Utah $60,140 Details →
#23 Pennsylvania $59,520 Details →
#24 Illinois $58,900 Details →
#25 Montana $58,900 Details →
#26 Idaho $58,280 Details →
#27 Georgia $57,660 Details →
#28 New Mexico $57,660 Details →
#29 North Carolina $57,040 Details →
#30 Texas $57,040 Details →
#31 Wisconsin $57,040 Details →
#32 Wyoming $57,040 Details →
#33 Louisiana $56,420 Details →
#34 Indiana $55,800 Details →
#35 Michigan $55,800 Details →
#36 Nebraska $55,800 Details →
#37 North Dakota $55,800 Details →
#38 Ohio $55,800 Details →
#39 Iowa $55,180 Details →
#40 South Carolina $55,180 Details →
#41 Tennessee $55,180 Details →
#42 Missouri $54,560 Details →
#43 South Dakota $54,560 Details →
#44 Alabama $53,940 Details →
#45 Kansas $53,940 Details →
#46 Kentucky $53,940 Details →
#47 Oklahoma $53,320 Details →
#48 Arkansas $52,080 Details →
#49 West Virginia $52,080 Details →
#50 Mississippi $51,460 Details →

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Key Responsibilities

  • ● Curate restaurant wine lists
  • ● Recommend food and wine pairings
  • ● Manage wine inventory and purchasing
  • ● Train staff on wine service
  • ● Conduct wine tastings and events

Top Skills

Wine Knowledge Tasting Food Pairing Inventory Management Customer Service Sommelier Certification

Education Required

Postsecondary nondegree award

Job Outlook

Much faster than average — projected 12% growth over the next decade

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sommelier Salaries

How much does a Sommelier make per year? ▼
The median sommelier salary in the United States is $62,000 per year. Entry-level positions start around $35,000, while senior-level professionals earn up to $118,000 annually. The mean (average) salary is $72,400.
How much does a Sommelier make per hour? ▼
Based on the national median salary of $62,000 per year, a sommelier earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by experience, location, and employer.
What is the highest paying state for sommeliers? ▼
Hawaii is the highest paying state for sommeliers, with a median salary of $105,400. Other top-paying states include California ($85,560) and Massachusetts ($83,700).
What education do you need to become a sommelier? ▼
Most sommelier positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Wine Knowledge, Tasting, Food Pairing, Inventory Management. Relevant certifications and hands-on experience can also strengthen your qualifications.
What is the job outlook for sommeliers? ▼
Employment for sommeliers is projected to grow 12% over the next decade, which is much faster than average. There are currently 8,400 sommeliers employed in the United States.
How much does an entry-level sommelier make? ▼
An entry-level sommelier with 0-2 years of experience earns around $35,000 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to approximately $65,000. The bottom 10% of earners make $32,000, while the top 10% earn $125,000.