Career Overview
Prepare or serve specialty coffee or other beverages. Serve food such as baked goods or sandwiches to patrons.
Also Known As
- Barista
- Catering Barista
Alternate Job Titles
- Barista
- Cafe Barista
- Catering Barista
- Coffee Bar Attendant
- Coffee Barista
- Coffee Brewer
- Coffee Maker
- Coffee Shop Attendant
- Coffee Sommelier
- Gourmet Coffee Attendant
- Juicer
- Server
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Receive and process customer payments.
- Prepare or serve hot or cold beverages, such as coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees, or teas.
- Take customer orders and convey them to other employees for preparation.
- Clean or sanitize work areas, utensils, or equipment.
- Describe menu items to customers, or suggest products that might appeal to them.
- Clean service or seating areas.
- Serve prepared foods, such as muffins, biscotti, or bagels.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Time Sharing
- Problem Sensitivity
- Information Ordering
- Finger Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Social Orientation
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Optimism
- Attention to Detail
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Bagel cutters
- Box cutters
- Cash registers
- Chefs' knives
- Coffee brewing machines
- Coffee grinders
- Commercial kitchen microwave ovens
- Commercial kitchen toasters
- Computer laser printers
- Credit card processing machines
- Desktop computers
- Drink blenders
- Electronic food scales
- Espresso makers
- Ice machines
Work Environment
- Spend Time Standing
- Contact With Others
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Fast Food and Counter Workers occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Baristas.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $22,620 |
| Median | $30,480 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $38,800 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 3,780,930
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Fast Food and Counter Workers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $30,480
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $32,670
Food Preparation Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,220
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,460
Waiters and Waitresses
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $33,760
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.