Quick answer
Dispensary budtender jobs pay between $14 and $18 per hour in the United States. Annual pay ranges from $29,000 to $38,000. Tips add $2 to $5 per hour. Pay depends on state, license type, and experience.
Best States for Cannabis Dispensary Jobs: Store Count, Pay and Rent
Hourly pay by state
Budtender pay varies by state because of cannabis laws and cost of living. The following figures are averages from job sites.
best states for cannabis dispensary jobs
- California: $16 to $20 per hour
- Colorado: $14 to $17 per hour
- Washington: $15 to $18 per hour
- Massachusetts: $16 to $19 per hour
- Illinois: $15 to $18 per hour
Annual pay and tips
Full-time budtenders work 35 to 40 hours per week. Annual pay is $29,000 to $38,000 before tips. Tips add $2,000 to $8,000 per year. Tip amounts depend on store policy and customer volume.
Pay by experience
- Entry level (0-1 year): $14 to $16 per hour
- Mid level (2-3 years): $16 to $18 per hour
- Lead budtender (3+ years): $18 to $22 per hour
- Store manager: $45,000 to $65,000 per year
Factors that affect pay
Several factors change budtender pay.
cannabis retail jobs in california
- State minimum wage. Higher minimum wages push budtender pay up.
- Store size. Large dispensaries pay more than small shops.
- Product knowledge. Budtenders who know terpenes and cannabinoids earn more.
- Shift. Night and weekend shifts may pay a differential.
- Benefits. Health insurance and employee discounts add value.
How to increase pay
Budtenders can increase pay by earning certifications. Examples include cannabis training from state-approved programs. Moving to a lead or inventory role raises pay. Some budtenders move to cultivation or extraction for higher wages.
Related jobs and pay
Other cannabis jobs pay more than budtender roles.
- Trimmer: $13 to $16 per hour
- Packager: $14 to $17 per hour
- Cultivator: $16 to $22 per hour
- Extraction technician: $18 to $25 per hour
- Dispensary manager: $45,000 to $65,000 per year