Life As a Barista
Barista Job Description Prepare or serve specialty coffee or other beverages. Serve food such as baked goods or sandwiches to patrons.
Daily Life Of a Barista
- Serve prepared foods, such as muffins, biscotti, or bagels.
- Demonstrate the use of retail equipment, such as espresso machines.
- Clean service or seating areas.
- Describe menu items to customers or suggest products that might appeal to them.
- Slice fruits, vegetables, desserts, or meats for use in food service.
- Order, receive, or stock supplies or retail products.
Featured schools near , edit
Barista Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Baristas say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Barista
- Bar Manager
- Coffee Brewer
- Sales Associate
- Barista
- Coffee Sommelier
Job Opportunities for Baristas
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 505,200 jobs in the United States for Barista. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.6% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,100 new jobs for Barista by 2026. There will be an estimated 113,200 positions for Barista per year.

The states with the most job growth for Barista are Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Minnesota, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Baristas Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Barista ranges between $17,790 and $30,500.

Baristas who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Baristas make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $20,180 |
Alaska | $24,750 |
Arizona | $25,530 |
Arkansas | $22,030 |
California | $28,120 |
Colorado | $24,300 |
Connecticut | $25,860 |
Delaware | $21,690 |
District of Columbia | $31,780 |
Florida | $20,970 |
Georgia | $19,830 |
Hawaii | $25,060 |
Idaho | $21,920 |
Illinois | $23,830 |
Indiana | $19,600 |
Iowa | $21,090 |
Kansas | $19,300 |
Kentucky | $20,150 |
Louisiana | $18,420 |
Maine | $23,040 |
Maryland | $24,010 |
Massachusetts | $26,780 |
Michigan | $22,870 |
Minnesota | $23,290 |
Mississippi | $18,720 |
Missouri | $21,300 |
Montana | $21,320 |
Nebraska | $21,690 |
Nevada | $25,440 |
New Hampshire | $23,440 |
New Jersey | $21,800 |
New Mexico | $20,180 |
New York | $25,680 |
North Carolina | $20,980 |
North Dakota | $23,850 |
Ohio | $22,340 |
Oklahoma | $19,520 |
Oregon | $26,020 |
Pennsylvania | $20,690 |
Rhode Island | $24,610 |
South Carolina | $20,010 |
South Dakota | $21,860 |
Tennessee | $19,270 |
Texas | $21,140 |
Utah | $21,900 |
Vermont | $25,490 |
Virginia | $21,640 |
Washington | $27,720 |
West Virginia | $21,850 |
Wisconsin | $19,890 |
Wyoming | $20,840 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Baristas
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Baristas:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Point of sale POS software
- Accounting software
How do I Become a Barista?
What kind of Barista requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Barista?

Where Baristas Work

Baristas work in the following industries:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |