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Hourly Wage for Coffee Barista Salary in the United States

How much does a Coffee Barista make hourly?

As of October 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Coffee Barista in the United States is $13, which translates to an annual salary of about $27,500.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $15 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $12 to $14 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $11 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Coffee Barista Salaries

A Coffee Barista's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Coffee Barista Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Coffee Barista's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $27,106
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $27,948
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $28,396
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $28,485
  • Expert (over 8 years): $28,545
Levels Salary
Entry Level Coffee Barista$27,106
Intermediate Level Coffee Barista$27,948
Senior Level Coffee Barista$28,396
Specialist Level Coffee Barista$28,485
Expert Level Coffee Barista$28,545
View as Graph

How Do Coffee Barista Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Coffee Baristas. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $30,500.
  • California: $30,400.
  • Massachusetts: $30,000.

Top Paying Cities for Coffee Baristas

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $34,700
  • San Francisco: $34,400
  • Oakland: $33,600

What Skills Can Increase a Coffee Barista's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 20.39% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • HACCP (Mentioned in 2.33% Job Postings): HACCP is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement to manufacturing and consumption of the finished product.
  • Food Handling (Mentioned in 0.88% Job Postings): Food Handling means one or more operations of food production, manufacture, offering or displaying for sale, storage, preserving, wrapping, transportation, delivery, importation, exportation, or the licensing or approval for any of such activities.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 20.39%
HACCP 2.33%
Food Handling 0.88%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Coffee Barista's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Product Quality: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $30,800
12%
Innovation $29,700
8%
Product Quality $29,425
7%
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Coffee Barista Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Coffee Barista salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $29,406. While startup companies pay approximate $24,970.

Coffee Barista Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $24,970
Growth Stage 51~500 $26,383
Established 501~5000 $28,416
Enterprise 5000+ $29,406

Coffee Barista Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Coffee Barista roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Coffee Barista positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Coffee Barista as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Coffee Barista

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$33,000$16.020%

Coffee Barista Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Coffee Barista's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$25,300
Average $27,500/year
$29,500
$2,108
Average $2,292/month
$2,458
$487
Average $529/week
$567
$12
Average $13/hour
$14
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $29,500 $2,458 $567 $14
Average $27,500 $2,292 $529 $13
25th Percentile $25,300 $2,108 $487 $12

Most common benefits for Coffee Barista

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Coffee Barista

Here are companies hiring for Coffee Barista and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Coffee Barista

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Coffee Barista?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Coffee Barista roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Is a coffee barista a hard job?

Working as a coffee barista can be challenging. Baristas face difficult customers, a fast-paced environment, and the need for consistency in drink preparation. They often stand for long periods and may lift heavy bags of coffee beans. Despite these challenges, the role offers a salary range from $23,700 to $28,800, reflecting the skills and effort involved.

3. How much is a barista paid in the USA?

As of January 2025, a Coffee Barista in the USA typically earns between $23,700 and $28,800 annually. The average salary is around $26,100. While hourly wages can vary, this range reflects the general compensation for baristas across the country.

4. Who is the best barista in the US?

Frank La of Be Bright Coffee has won the 2024 US Barista Championship in Rancho Cucamonga! As a skilled barista, he exemplifies the dedication and talent found in the profession, where salaries typically range from $23,700 to $28,800 annually. His achievement highlights the potential for excellence in the coffee industry.

5. Can you make decent money as a barista?

Yes, you can make decent money as a barista. Based on salary data, the minimum salary is $23,700, the mid-range salary is $26,100, and the maximum salary is $28,800. While these figures may vary by location and experience, they indicate that barista positions can offer a reasonable income.

6. Can you make a living wage as a barista?

Yes, you can make a living wage as a barista. Based on the salary data, baristas earn between $23,700 and $28,800 annually, with a mid-salary of $26,100. While this may vary by location and establishment, many coffee shops are striving to offer competitive wages that support a decent standard of living.

7. How fast can a barista make coffee?

A highly skilled barista can typically make one to two coffees per minute, totaling up to 100 in an hour, especially with good equipment. The salary for a coffee barista ranges from $23,700 to $28,800 annually, with a mid-range salary of $26,100, reflecting the skill and efficiency required in this role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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