Barista Salary 2024

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.

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.

[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.

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:

1. Enter your gross wage or salary.
2. Select your pay frequency from the dropdown menu (annual, monthly, biweekly, weekly, daily or hourly).
3. Choose your state.
4. Click the Calculate Tax button.

Salary Negotiation Tips for Baristas

Here are a few tips that can help you negotiate your Barista salary more efficiently:

• Research the average salary for the Barista position in your area.
• 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.
• Approach the negotiations with confidence, underscoring your value to the team and the company.
• 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.

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.