Expand mobile version menu

Money & Outlook

Insider Info

Approximately 1.8 million Americans are directly or indirectly employed in the beer industry, according to the Beer Institute.

Getting your foot in the door at a brewery isn't easy, says Hurst.

"It's really hard," says Tracy Hurst. She's the founder and co-owner of a brewery in Chicago. "We take interns occasionally, but even the interns say it's hard to get internships, so it's hard to get a job where you don't even get paid, never mind a paying job.

"That's because... a lot of people who like beer fantasize about getting into beer," Hurst adds. "So even if you've gone through a (brewing) program... you're still competing against a home brewer who's been brewing for 20 years and trying to get a job."

Salaries for brewmasters vary, depending where they work. Brewmasters who run their own business may only earn whatever profit they make from sales. As the business grows, so do their wages. They may also have shares in the brewery for which they work.

Generally, salaries for brewmasters vary, depending where they work. Brewmasters who run their own business may only earn what profit they make from sales. As the business grows, so do their wages. They may also have shares in the brewery for which they work.

Earnings and employment information from the U.S. Department of Labor is not available for this field at this time.