Barista Salary in the United States

How much does a Barista make in the United States?

As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for a Barista in the United States is $27,532 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $13.

However, a Barista's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $31,273
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $25,292 to $29,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $23,253
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View as table View as graph 25% $25,292 10% $23,253 90% $31,273 75% $29,490 $27,532 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Barista Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $29,490 $2,458 $567 $14
Average $27,532 $2,294 $529 $13
25th Percentile $25,292 $2,108 $486 $12
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Key Factors That Influence Barista Salaries

A 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 Barista Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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): $27,131
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $27,970
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $28,409
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $28,496
  • Expert (over 8 years): $28,555
Levels Salary
Entry Level Barista$27,131
Intermediate Level Barista$27,970
Senior Level Barista$28,409
Specialist Level Barista$28,496
Expert Level Barista$28,555
$27,131 0 yr
$27,970 < 2 yrs
$28,409 2-4 yrs
$28,496 5-8 yrs
$28,555 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for 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: $34,726
  • San Francisco: $34,385
  • Oakland: $33,622

What Skills Can Increase a 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 20.39%
HACCP 2.33%
Food Handling 0.88%
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 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
$30,836
12%
Innovation
$29,735
8%
Product Quality
$29,459
7%
Teamwork
$29,184
6%
Organizational Skills
$29,184
6%
Leadership
$28,909
5%
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Barista Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 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 February 01, 2026

Barista Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Barista, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Barista Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Fast Food Shift Supervisor $34,726 26%
Fine Dining Restaurant Manager $59,428 116%
Food & Beverage Supervisor $40,385 47%
Food Services Team Lead $41,179 50%

Most common benefits for Barista

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Barista

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

Find Your Next Barista Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Barista job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Barista

1. Where can a Barista earn the most?

A Barista's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Barista earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Barista is $34,726.

2. What is the highest pay for Barista?

The highest pay for Barista is $31,273.

3. What is the lowest pay for Barista?

The lowest pay for Barista is $23,253.

4. What are the responsibilities of Barista?

Greets customers, identifies their needs, and answers questions about menu items. Prepares and serves hot and cold beverages such as coffee, espresso, cappuccino, tea, chai, and similar beverages. May prepare and serve limited food items. Records sales, operates a cash register, and follows cash handling policies as required. May assist with store set-up, clean-up, and stocking of merchandise. May require a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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