Barista and Server Salary in the United States

How much does a Barista and Server make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Barista and Server in the United States is $27,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $13.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $30,698
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $24,870 to $28,936
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $22,931
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View as table View as graph 25% $24,870 10% $22,931 90% $30,698 75% $28,936 $27,000 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Barista and Server Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $28,936 $2,411 $556 $14
Average $27,000 $2,250 $519 $13
25th Percentile $24,870 $2,072 $478 $12
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Key Factors That Influence Barista and Server Salaries

A Barista and Server'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 and Server Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Barista and Server'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): $26,466
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $27,284
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $27,711
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $27,797
  • Expert (over 8 years): $27,854
Levels Salary
Entry Level Barista and Server$26,466
Intermediate Level Barista and Server$27,284
Senior Level Barista and Server$27,711
Specialist Level Barista and Server$27,797
Expert Level Barista and Server$27,854
$26,466 0 yr
$27,284 < 2 yrs
$27,711 2-4 yrs
$27,797 5-8 yrs
$27,854 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Barista and Server 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 Barista and Servers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $29,894.
  • California: $29,781.
  • Massachusetts: $29,384.

Top Paying Cities for Barista and Servers

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: $34,055
  • San Francisco: $33,682
  • Oakland: $32,972

What Skills Can Increase a Barista and Server'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 and Server'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
$30,240
12%
Innovation
$29,160
8%
Product Quality
$28,890
7%
Teamwork
$28,620
6%
Organizational Skills
$28,620
6%
Leadership
$28,350
5%
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Barista and Server Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Barista and Server 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, Barista and Server positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Barista and Server as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Barista and Server

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$32,400$16.020%

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

Understanding how a Barista and Server'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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Barista and Server

Salaries for a Barista and Server can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $30,070 in 2023 to around $29,578 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Barista and Server salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Barista and Server Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$30,070
2024
$29,924
2025
$29,578
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $30,070
2024 $29,924
2025 $29,578
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Barista and Server

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

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

Find Your Next Barista and Server Job

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

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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.)

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