☕️ How much does a barista make?
For baristas and similar counter workers, a full-time-year estimate is about $31,200: the lowest-paid 10% are at $22,840 or less, and the top 10% at $42,650 or more.
Pay varies with hours and location, and the U.S. figure groups baristas with many other fast-food and counter workers.
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-paid workers (10th-percentile benchmark) | $22,840 | BLS May 2025 10th percentile |
| Typical worker (median) | $31,200 | BLS May 2025 median |
| Top-paid workers (90th-percentile benchmark) | $42,650 | BLS May 2025 90th percentile |
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-paid workers (10th-percentile benchmark) | $1,903 | $63 |
| Typical worker (median) | $2,600 | $85 |
| Top-paid workers (90th-percentile benchmark) | $3,554 | $117 |
Where does the money come from?
- Hourly wages: Barista wage data are reported with hourly and annual figures for the broader fast food and counter worker group. Source
- Tips: Customers may leave tips, but the amount varies and is not guaranteed. Source
- Company bonus: At Starbucks, eligible baristas can earn a performance bonus when their coffeehouse meets set targets. Source
How do you become a barista?
In the United States, baristas usually do not need a formal degree or prior experience. Apply to a coffee shop; after hiring, learn drink recipes and customer service on the job. Applicants aged 14 or 15 must follow youth-work limits.
- Check the minimum age and youth-work rules in your state.
- Apply for a barista opening at a coffee shop.
- After hiring, learn the shop’s recipes and routines.
- Take orders, process payments, and prepare drinks.
Qualifications and exams
Federal law generally sets age 14 as the minimum for nonfarm work. Workers aged 14–15 have limits on hours and tasks, and state rules may be stricter.
A day as a barista
Before opening, a barista stocks milk and cups and gets the equipment ready. During a rush, they take orders, handle payments, and make coffee or tea. Between orders, they clean the counter and equipment and tidy the shop.
Common questions
Are barista tips guaranteed?
No. Starbucks says tips are optional and can vary by store, service, and customers, so the amount is not guaranteed. Source
Can Starbucks baristas earn a bonus?
At Starbucks, baristas may earn up to $1,200 extra per year if their coffeehouse meets stated sales, operations, and customer-service targets. Source
Do baristas keep the tips customers leave?
Federal rules say employees keep their tips, except for tips shared through a valid tip pool with eligible workers. Source
Can a 14- or 15-year-old work in a coffee shop?
Federal law generally allows nonfarm work from age 14, but 14- and 15-year-olds face limits on work hours and permitted tasks. State rules may be stricter. Source
This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.
Close jobs in official statistics
In Japan
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| MHLW cafe-clerk-category average (a broader proxy) | $25,653 | 2025 MHLW wage-survey-based category average |
Related questions
Jobs in the same group
Data table and sources
- data.bls.gov/oesprofile?major_group=350000&occupation=353023&measure=01
- www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.t01.htm
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/105
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/topics/detail/584
- baristalife.co/pages/barista-pay-report-2026
- www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/35-3023.01?st=GA
- data.bls.gov/oesprofile?major_group=350000&measure=01&occupation=353023
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/35-3023.01
- www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/food-preparation-workers.htm
- www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/15-tipped-employees-flsa