Barista Salary in the United States
The average Barista salary in the U.S. is $34,825 per year. Find out how to get more tips and other ways to boost your pay — all covered in this guide.
But first, check out our comparison tool below. It allows you to see how your current or target Barista salary stacks up against Barista salaries in major U.S. cities.
What could I earn?
Find out how your salary compares to the average Barista salary.Average Barista Base Salary:
What can I earn as Barista? Your salary is $0.00 on the US national average.How Much Does a Barista Make?
The average annual salary for a Barista in the U.S. is $34,825 per year, excluding tips.
On a monthly basis, this would be approximately $2,902.
How Much Does a Barista Make Hourly?
Most Baristas are paid hourly wages. That said, the average wage for Baristas in the U.S. is $16.74 per hour.
How Much Does a Barista Make Weekly?
The average weekly salary for Baristas in the U.S. is $669.71.
Barista Salary by Location
Baristas in the District of Columbia ($39,521), Oregon ($37,984) and California ($37,933) earn the highest average salaries. Meanwhile, those in Georgia ($28,046), Michigan ($31,766) and Mississippi ($23,755) earn the lowest.
High Barista salaries in D.C., Oregon, and California likely reflect a higher cost of living and competition for Baristas, unlike states with lower minimum wages and living costs.
The table below displays Barista salaries in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, sorted from highest to lowest.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $39,521 |
| Oregon | $37,984 |
| California | $37,933 |
| Massachusetts | $37,635 |
| Hawaii | $36,965 |
| Washington | $36,961 |
| Maine | $36,262 |
| Rhode Island | $36,007 |
| Alaska | $35,732 |
| New Hampshire | $35,271 |
| Maryland | $35,612 |
| New Jersey | $35,303 |
| Colorado | $35,002 |
| Minnesota | $32,118 |
| Montana | $32,503 |
| Connecticut | $32,351 |
| Vermont | $33,976 |
| Illinois | $33,203 |
| New York | $34,212 |
| Delaware | $31,122 |
| Florida | $31,653 |
| North Carolina | $31,513 |
| Nevada | $31,392 |
| New Mexico | $31,311 |
| North Dakota | $31,790 |
| Virginia | $31,879 |
| Arizona | $30,910 |
| South Dakota | $30,927 |
| South Carolina | $30,845 |
| Kentucky | $30,707 |
| Missouri | $30,321 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,492 |
| Arkansas | $30,314 |
| Idaho | $29,182 |
| Wyoming | $29,163 |
| Utah | $29,248 |
| Tennessee | $29,284 |
| Texas | $29,139 |
| Ohio | $29,858 |
| Wisconsin | $30,735 |
| Louisiana | $25,433 |
| West Virginia | $26,816 |
| Oklahoma | $27,834 |
| Indiana | $28,668 |
| Nebraska | $28,943 |
| Iowa | $28,067 |
| Kansas | $28,027 |
| Georgia | $28,046 |
| Michigan | $31,766 |
| Mississippi | $23,755 |
Barista Salary in Major US Cities
Out of the four major cities listed below, Los Angeles pays Baristas the highest average salaries ($38,486), followed by New York City, Chicago and Miami.
Miami
Annual mean wage
$28,998
New York City
Annual mean wage
$36,735
Chicago
Annual mean wage
$36,686
Los Angeles
Annual mean wage
$38,486
[Source: Indeed, Salary.com, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor]
Factors Affecting a Barista’s Pay
Aside from geographic location, here are other factors that influence how much a Barista makes:
Experience and expertise
Baristas with more years of experience and honed skills usually get offered higher salaries. This is due to their extensive knowledge of various coffee blends and brewing techniques, proficiency in latte art and exceptional customer service skills.
Educational background and training
Baristas who have pursued additional certifications, attended specialized courses or participated in Barista competitions will often be offered higher salaries. Such qualifications show a strong commitment to excellence and mastery of the field.
Type of establishment
The type of establishment Baristas work at can significantly impact their earnings. For example, Baristas employed in high-end cafes or specialty coffee shops usually receive higher compensation than those working in coffee shop chains or fast-food joints.
This is often because employers at high-end establishments are willing to offer higher salaries to attract highly skilled baristas who can maintain the quality and reputation of their brand.
The infographic below shows the different types of establishments where Baristas can work.
Shift flexibility
Baristas who are willing to work flexible hours — including early mornings, late evenings and weekends or holidays — will often receive additional pay incentives on top of their base salary.
Negotiation skills
Candidates with strong negotiation skills who can effectively sell themselves to their employer may be able to secure a higher salary either during the hiring process or during performance reviews.
Tips
Baristas often receive tips from customers, which can significantly increase their earnings.
In the U.S., customers typically tip around 15% to 20% for specialty drinks like lattes, cold brews, cappuccinos and custom-made beverages that require extra attention to detail. For drip coffee, Baristas can usually expect at least a $1 tip per cup.
Salary Negotiation Tips for Baristas
Here are a few tips that can help you negotiate your Barista salary more efficiently:
- Research the average Barista salary in your area.
- Approach the negotiations with confidence, underscoring your value to the team and the company.
- Highlight relevant experience and education such as years in the industry and Barista certifications.
- Emphasize relevant skills you possess, such as proficiency in espresso preparation, knowledge of specialty coffee blends and customer service excellence.
- Be open to discussing benefits beyond salary, such as healthcare, paid time off, employee discounts and wellness packages. These benefits and perks can improve your overall compensation package.
A Former Barista’s Advice for Salary Negotiations
To further help you get the hang of negotiating your pay as a Barista, we’ve interviewed Austin Legge — who worked as a Barista for nearly a decade — for his expert insights. Here’s a short excerpt from the interview:
“You need to have the skills necessary to craft a delicious beverage (especially the more difficult ones) every time. If you’re able to master your craft, provide excellent customer service and be a positive person in the workplace — then you’d be a really valuable asset to your employer.”
How To Estimate Your Take-Home Pay as a Barista
If you work as a Barista in the United States, use our Paycheck Calculator to easily determine the amount of money you’ll have left after deductions and taxes in your state. All you need to do is follow these steps:
- Enter your gross wage or salary.
- Select your pay frequency from the dropdown menu (annual, monthly, biweekly, weekly, daily or hourly).
- Choose your state.
- Click the Calculate Tax button.
Paycheck Calculator
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
If your gross pay is $84,000.00 per year in the state of California, your net pay (or take home pay) will be $62,761.43 after tax deductions of 25.28% (or $21,238.57). Deductions include a total of [1] 13.39% (or $11,248.10) for the federal income tax, [2] 4.24% (or $3,564.47) for the state income tax, [3] 6.20% (or $5,208.00) for the social security tax and [4] 1.45% (or $1,218.00) for Medicare.
The Federal Income Tax is collected by the government and is consistent across all U.S. regions. In contrast, the State Income Tax is levied by the state of residence and work, leading to substantial variations. The Social Security Tax is used to fund Social Security, which benefits retirees, persons with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers. Medicare involves a federal payroll tax designated for the Medicare insurance program. As of 2022, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not levy a state income tax.
Beyond Pay: Perks & Benefits for Baristas
As previously mentioned, Baristas often receive various perks and benefits in addition to their pay. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Health, vision and dental insurance
- Paid time off
- 401(k) and 401(k) matching
- Flexible schedule
- Employee discounts
- Free meals during shifts
- Recognition programs
- Uniform allowance or reimbursement
- Parental leave
- Employee assistance programs
- Commuter benefits
- Life and disability insurance
- Wellness benefits
All these benefits contribute significantly to the overall compensation package by enhancing financial security, work-life balance and job satisfaction.
How Much Do Careers Similar to a Barista Get Paid?
On average, Baristas in the U.S. earn more than Cashiers and Barbacks but less than Waiters/Waitresses and Bartenders.
| Job Title | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Cashier | $30,710 |
| Barback | $31,688 |
| Waiter/Waitress | $36,530 |
| Bartender | $37,090 |
Barista Salary FAQs
Bonuses or additional compensation for Baristas can vary depending on company policies. Some establishments may offer bonuses based on performance metrics or achieving specific targets, while others may not have such incentives in place.
Yes, seasonal fluctuations in Barista salaries can occur in tourist-heavy areas in peak seasons. Baristas may receive bonuses or increased compensation to manage the higher workload and responsibilities during these busy periods.
Baristas often rely on tips to boost their income. How much they earn in tips really depends on the location of the café or coffee shop, as well as factors like customer traffic and tipping culture in that area.
Pay for Starbucks Baristas varies a lot depending on where the store is located. If you want to know the exact pay rates and typical starting pay at Starbucks, you can check out their career page.
Expert Reviewer Milos Eric thoroughly evaluated this salary guide to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the analyses provided. The salary guide provides insights such as location-specific figures, industry trends and factors that influence compensation.
As the Co-Founder and General Manager of OysterLink, Milos brings his extensive experience as an entrepreneur and business executive. Through the years, he has led and hired more than 500 employees for global companies like DesignRush and Digital Silk.
Not to mention, he is recognized as a Top Voice for Leadership, Recruitment and Recruitment Management on LinkedIn.
Barista Salary Data Methodology
All of the figures mentioned in this guide are calculated based on the latest information available on government sites and estimates from job search sites. Learn more about OysterLink’s methodology.