Sommelier Salary: How Much Do Sommeliers Make?

Getting paid to talk about wine? That might sound like a dream, but for sommeliers, it’s very much a reality.

If you’re interested in turning your passion for Pinot (or zeal for Zinfandel) into a rewarding career, becoming a sommelier could be the perfect fit. But first, here’s everything you need to know about the money.

What is the job outlook for aspiring sommeliers?

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the expected job growth for sommeliers between 2019 and 2029 is 8%, which is a faster pace than the average for all occupations. Zippia also projects a 10% growth from 2018 to 2028. 

Sommeliers don’t necessarily need a specific education to get started—many begin in restaurant-adjacent roles such as serving or bartending. That said, pursuing a formal wine education can be extremely helpful for deepening your knowledge, proving your credibility, and advancing your career. 

Many employers, especially in high-end dining, also require official certification to validate your expertise. Earning credentials—such as through the Court of Master Sommeliers—not only opens the door to more advanced career opportunities but can also boost your salary potential.

And while being a sommelier is a job title in itself, there are many different career paths you can take. Working at a restaurant is one way to go, but you can also explore roles in wine education, buying, and writing or dive into other fields like event planning, supply chain distribution, and entrepreneurship. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the restaurant industry far beyond the loss of entry-level positions. Many seasoned professionals with specific knowledge—including sommeliers and service directors—have left the industry for an alternative path, leaving a big gap in restaurant talent. 

Alice Cheng, Founder of Culinary Agents, adds, “The qualified layer of restaurant workers with experience found other work, whether it’s in the industry, adjacent to the industry, or outside of the industry. The industry lost a lot of experience in five years.” For aspiring sommeliers, this could mean more opportunities to break into the industry. 

How much do sommeliers make?

According to Binwise, the median salary for a sommelier is $62,000. However, earnings as a sommelier are largely dependent on your level of certification. Specifically, there are four main levels based on the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS), and your wages increase with progression:

Sites like Talent.com also report wage data by analyzing thousands of public salaries. At the time of writing, the site reports that the average sommelier in the U.S. makes $54,136 per year—notably, a lower amount than Binwise’s reporting. Entry-level wages start at $37,440, while the most experienced professionals make up to $80,000.

Wages are also highly dependent on the career path you choose as a sommelier. The Court of Master Sommeliers breaks down the different salary ranges for various roles within the field: 

 

 

Because pay ranges are so wide, one of the best ways to determine what you should be making (or what you should be paying—if you’re employing a sommelier) is to practice salary transparency. Online sources can provide a good benchmark to start, but speaking with sommeliers and operators with similar experiences can give you a more accurate picture.

How much do master sommeliers make?

As mentioned, master sommeliers make a median salary of $164,000. But while this may sound like a lucrative career, the path to becoming a master is extremely rigorous—and often thought of as one of the hardest designations to receive in any field. In fact, since its establishment in 1969, only 170 professionals have earned this title as part of the America’s chapter, with a total of 279 worldwide.  

How do sommelier salaries compare to others?

According to Talent.com, the average restaurant worker’s salary currently sits at $29,641 per year (or $14.25 per hour). This is significantly lower than the average wage for a sommelier, at $54,136 per year (or $26.03 per hour). And here’s how these figures stack up against other salaries in the restaurant industry, based on live data from the same source:

Sommeliers generally make more than other restaurant staff, with the exception of chefs. The pay is comparable to that of a restaurant manager and much higher than other front-of-house positions, including servers (42%), bartenders (43%), hosts (46%), and bussers (46%). 

Keep in mind that these numbers are just an estimate from one source—there are many factors that influence pay across all roles. For example, on a good tip day, a server’s total earnings may exceed what a manager or sommelier makes during the same shift. 

The average sommelier salary per year by location

Another factor to take into account is location—in any industry, where you work plays a big role in how much you’re paid. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most populated cities in the United States, along with the average wage of a sommelier there, based on reported salaries from Talent.com again:

Sommeliers in San Antonio and San Diego earn the highest average salary, at $70,000—a staggering 29% higher than the U.S. average. Interestingly, the two most populated cities—New York and Los Angeles—pay sommeliers the least, with average annual salaries of $44,763 and $49,960, respectively.

Busy cities also come with extremely high cost of living rates. For example, if you’re making the nationwide average of $54,136 as a sommelier in Dallas, you’ll need to make $85,755 as a sommelier in New York to maintain the same standard of living (according to Bankrate.com’s calculator). 

How do sommeliers get paid?

Sommeliers are typically paid on a salary basis, meaning you can expect a fixed amount each pay period. Unlike hourly restaurant roles, such as servers and line cooks, the benefit of this is greater financial stability, as your earnings are not dependent on fluctuating shifts or tips.

In smaller restaurants (or more casual establishments), however, you may be paid hourly. These positions may be part-time, which, although offering less stability, can be a great way to break into the industry. They can also be ideal for those who see wine pairing as a side gig to supplement their existing income.

If you’re a sommelier working outside of the restaurant scene, such as for special events, you may be paid a flat fee. For example, you could be offered $2,500 to curate a wine list for a wedding reception. This is typically negotiated on a per-project basis, offering more flexibility but with the trade-off of a less consistent income.

In any case, it’s important to consider your total compensation package as a sommelier. You may receive benefits—outside of your base pay—that make a big impact on your overall earnings. This can include the following: 

Tips – Sommeliers often receive direct tips, especially in situations where personalized wine recommendations need to be made in a customer-facing role. In many restaurants, sommeliers also participate in a tip-out system, where a share of the server’s tips are split with other staff members. This is based on a pre-determined formula, using factors like position, seniority, and hours worked.

Commissions & bonuses – In some establishments, sommeliers earn commissions based on wine sales. This means selling more wine (or more expensive wine) can lead to a direct increase in your pay. The idea is to incentivize recommendations that enhance the guest experience while also increasing the restaurant’s overall revenue. Additionally, some restaurants offer performance-based bonuses—a lump sum paid out (such as $2,000) to acknowledge a sommelier’s contribution to the restaurant’s overall success 

Health benefits – Health benefits, such as plans for medical, dental, and vision needs, are becoming more and more popular in the restaurant industry as a way to attract and retain top talent. This is especially true for full-time, salaried employees, such as sommeliers. And according to Nerdwallet, employer-paid health benefits can be valued anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000. 

Retirement benefits – An employer match to your 401(k) helps supplement your retirement earnings, essentially for free. Let’s say your restaurant offers a 50% employer match, capped at 6% of your self-contributed salary. If you earn the average salary of $54,136 as a sommelier, contributing $3,248 (6%) to your retirement fund will maximize your employer match, giving you an extra $1,624 in savings.

Other benefits – Each restaurant offers its own set of perks, but some common additional benefits to look out for include paid time off (PTO), discounted meals, and professional development opportunities, such as funding for further education or certification as a sommelier. And of course, it’s important to consider work-life balance as well—if you don’t enjoy working at the establishment, a high salary may not matter at all.

How to increase your sommelier salary

While some pay factors—such as where you live—may be more difficult to control, there are plenty of practical ways to boost your income as a sommelier. Here are a few to consider:

Increase your certification – Earlier, we found that the average level 1 sommelier makes $55,000 per year. This increases progressively through each level of certification, with master sommeliers making $164,000—a staggering 198% more. While this takes time and dedication, it can pay off in the long run—certifications open doors to more job opportunities, ultimately boosting your earning potential as a sommelier.

Choose the right restaurant – Not all restaurants are created equally when it comes to pay. High-end establishments with strong wine programs typically provide better salaries and greater tipping opportunities. Also, look for restaurants with steady foot traffic to maximize your earning potential. 

Maximize tips & commissions – If you get paid with tips and commissions, you earn more by selling more. One way to increase your sales is through up-selling—essentially, suggesting specialty wines to customers that cost more. But at the same time, make sure you’re not compromising the ability to weigh in on what your guest needs. 

Start a side hustle – Many sommeliers supplement their income by working more wine jobs on the side, such as consulting for private events, curating wine subscriptions, or even creating content online. These gigs not only bring in extra cash but can also help build your personal brand in the world of wine.

A sommelier’s salary, summarized

While different sources cite different numbers, it’s safe to assume that the average sommelier in the U.S. makes a bit more than $54,000 per year. As with any job, however, wages fluctuate greatly based on various factors: certification, location, and more. 

When comparing a sommelier’s pay to other roles in the restaurant industry, it is generally on par with other salaried positions like chefs and managers. It’s also important to consider additional benefits that contribute to the total compensation package, such as tips, commissions, and health insurance.

And as a sommelier, your earning potential is never capped. You can branch out into other industries—outside of the restaurant scene—applying your passion and expertise for wine to all kinds of career paths.