Average pay/salary for brewery workers? (IL/IN)

I know a guy that was working at two popular breweries, in Ohio and Florida, as an assistant brewer. He made about $15 an hour at both places. He's working as a bartender now and probably makes more.

 

Depends on what you need to support yourself. If you've got three kids and a mortgage entry-level brewery work isn't going to cut it for you. If you're just an autonomous guy getting by, you can make it work. You cast a pretty wide net with your examples...in some cases (2 Brothers, etc.) I'm sure the brewers make a comfortable living, in others (Sinister et al) the brewers have equity and probably aren't taking a salary at all.

 

Grunt workers probably get around min wage as they won't have a special skill set that will demand higher pay.

 

Three Floyd's will give you minimum wage. But they include benefits like acting like you are cooler/better than u're patrons.

 

cant afford to shower, but rich in personality and enthusiasm!

 

brewmaster average pay is 50 g's

 

I liked this post despite its obvious grammar flaw because of its hilarious snarkiness.

 

I wonder how much Kosmicki makes...

Edit: I know it's MI but still... he's gotta make bank.

 

I think the key is to get in the business as early as possible (sub 21yrs?). That way you have the time to start as grunt then >brewer> brewmaster> owner of your own place. The real money is your own place/brewery.

My .02

 

Two options. 1.) Get a brewing certificate from Siebel...but there is a waiting list to get in (2 years I believe). 2.) Start off as a grunt on a bottling line, work hard, be patient, and hopefully you'll be promoted from witihin. I worked as a cook and transferred to the bottling line. I took a heck of a paycut but worked out a budget with my wife. On my current pay I'm able to afford a house and invest 15% of my income for retirement. Being a homebrewer doen't really help you get in the industry. Be prepared to be covered in beer, grease, glass (I keep bandages in my locker), caustic acids...etc. Be aware of your surroundings and depending how busy the brewey is be prepared to lift a couple thousand cases or 12 packs a shiift.

 

The Brewer's Association has some statistics on this if you want to hunt for them. They are industry averages though, and likely not specific to a specific region.

I have heard that some areas of the country pay better than others, and I'm sure that much of it comes down to each brewery as well - a regional brewery with good sales and an employee forward philosophy may pay very well compared to your local brewpub for the same position.

From what I remember looking at though entry level jobs average in the low 20's and things go up form there depending on the type of brewery. As with all else, experience/skill set will play a large role as well. I've seen job postings from New Belgium offering 100k for an accountant and I'll bet there are "brewmasters" at small pubs pulling less than 30k.

Obviously we all have to support ourselves so money isn't a moot point by any means, but if you're in need of a certain size paycheck to stay afloat this is likely the wrong industry to enter...

 

Small locations won't be able to pay more than 12-16 an hour. If you are passionate about it and are willing to work for cheap than I guess that could be an option. Learn how to bartender and you could make 20-25+ an hour.

 

100K+OT or something. Right?

Right?

#resurrectingthe2008lulz

 

+health+401k+pension plan+company car.
Wait, that was my engineering job.

 

Not sure if he gets it...

Was only a so-so beer anyways, lol.

 

Thought I would pull this out from the depths... curious if anyone has found/heard/experienced more info on this? I have an interview for an entry level position at a small local Indiana brewery tomorrow.