How Much Does a Barista Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$31,200
Baristas in the U.S. earn a median of $31,200 a year, or $15.00 an hour. Half of baristas earn more than $31,200 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $42,650.
Pay percentiles for baristas
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $10.98 | $22,840 |
| 25th | $13.32 | $27,700 |
| 50th (median) | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| 75th | $17.34 | $36,070 |
| 90th | $20.51 | $42,650 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Fast Food and Counter Workers (SOC 35-3023). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for baristas
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $42,280 | $20.33 | +36% |
| Washington | $37,710 | $18.13 | +21% |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 | $18.00 | +20% |
| Colorado | $36,270 | $17.44 | +16% |
| Vermont | $36,030 | $17.32 | +15% |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 | $17.24 | +15% |
| Connecticut | $35,380 | $17.01 | +13% |
| Hawaii | $35,250 | $16.95 | +13% |
| New York | $35,250 | $16.95 | +13% |
| Oregon | $35,050 | $16.85 | +12% |
| United States | $31,200 | $15.00 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many baristas are there?
BLS counts about 3,854,050 baristas employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Fast Food and Counter Workers”. The most jobs are in Texas (460,530), California (449,840) and Florida (235,400).
The mean (average) annual wage is $32,150, higher than the median of $31,200.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $2,600
- Biweekly
- $1,200
- Weekly
- $600
- Daily (8 hours)
- $120
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do baristas make an hour?
The median hourly wage for baristas is $15.00. The middle 50% earn between $13.32 and $17.34 an hour.
Which state pays baristas the most?
California has the highest median wage for baristas at $42,280, +36% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for baristas?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of baristas earn less than $22,840 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.