Barista Salary By State: Highest-Paid Baristas by State [2026]
Research Summary. The Zippia data science team has conducted a comprehensive analysis of barista salaries across the United States, revealing the following insights:
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Maine offers the highest barista salary at $30,990.
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Alaska has the lowest barista salary, averaging $25,608.
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The national average salary for baristas is now $29,528.
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The national hourly wage for baristas is approximately $14.2.
For further details on our methodology, click here.
Background
Salary remains a crucial factor for job seekers, with many prioritizing earnings in their job search. Understanding how much baristas earn in your area is essential for career planning.
The data on average salaries for baristas is broken down by state and provides a clear picture of what to expect based on location and experience level. While individual wages may vary from state averages, these figures serve as a reliable guide to inform your expectations.
As of 2026, Maine holds the title for the best average salary for baristas.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for barista salaries:
Let’s delve into the details and explore a complete ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Baristas By State
| Rank | State | Average Barista Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $30,990 | $26,000 | $36,000 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $30,896 | $25,000 | $37,000 |
| 3 | Vermont | $30,820 | $25,000 | $36,000 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $30,764 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $30,654 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 6 | California | $30,212 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $30,202 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $30,060 | $26,000 | $33,000 |
| 9 | New York | $29,821 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $29,534 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 11 | Nevada | $29,476 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 12 | Arizona | $29,064 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $29,059 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 14 | Oregon | $28,725 | $22,000 | $36,000 |
| 15 | Michigan | $28,700 | $22,000 | $36,000 |
| 16 | Delaware | $28,675 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $28,276 | $22,000 | $36,000 |
| 18 | Maryland | $28,237 | $21,000 | $36,000 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $28,138 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 20 | Ohio | $28,051 | $21,000 | $36,000 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $28,038 | $22,000 | $34,000 |
| 22 | Washington | $28,033 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 23 | Utah | $27,939 | $21,000 | $36,000 |
| 24 | Idaho | $27,899 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 25 | Illinois | $27,825 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $27,798 | $21,000 | $36,000 |
| 27 | West Virginia | $27,691 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 28 | Indiana | $27,560 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 29 | Virginia | $27,497 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 30 | Iowa | $27,457 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $27,435 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 32 | Texas | $27,298 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 33 | Montana | $27,277 | $21,000 | $34,000 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $27,264 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 35 | Colorado | $27,226 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $27,166 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $27,087 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 38 | Missouri | $27,042 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 39 | Kansas | $27,000 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $26,884 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $26,757 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $26,714 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $26,688 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $26,677 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $26,435 | $20,000 | $34,000 |
| 46 | Alabama | $26,324 | $19,000 | $34,000 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $26,289 | $19,000 | $34,000 |
| 48 | Georgia | $26,255 | $19,000 | $34,000 |
| 49 | Florida | $26,033 | $19,000 | $34,000 |
| 50 | Alaska | $25,608 | $22,000 | $28,000 |
Methodology: Barista Salary By State
To analyze barista pay by state, Zippia sourced data from a variety of channels, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM, and supplemented it with actual salary listings from job postings. The data science team then calculated a weighted average of these inputs to determine the average pay for baristas by state.
Each state was ranked based on the average annual salary data collected, with the highest salary indicating the top state for barista earnings.
Barista Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for baristas?
The highest-paid state for baristas is Maine, offering an average salary of $30,990 per year.
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What city pays baristas the most?
Portland, ME tops the list, with baristas earning an average salary of $30,977 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for baristas?
The lowest-paying state for baristas is Alaska, with an average salary of $25,608 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
