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Cafe worker salary
Average cafe worker salary
$13.76
Understanding Cafe Worker Salaries
The average salary for a cafe worker is around $28,625 per year, or $14 per hour. However, this can vary significantly based on factors such as state, years of experience, and the specific cafe. For instance, cafe workers in high-demand areas may earn more due to increased customer volume and competition among employers.
Salary Variations by State
Different states offer varying salaries for cafe workers. States such as California and New York tend to provide higher wages compared to others. For example, the highest-paying states can see cafe worker salaries exceeding $35,000 annually. This discrepancy is often due to the cost of living and local market dynamics.
Career Opportunities
A cafe worker’s role can lead to various career paths, including management positions or specialized roles within the hospitality industry. With the right skills and experience, there are opportunities to transition to higher-paying jobs within cafes and restaurants.
Conclusion
Understanding salary expectations is crucial for aspiring cafe workers. By exploring the average salaries by state and considering local opportunities, you can make informed career decisions.
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Where can a Cafe Worker earn more?
Cafe worker salary estimates from across the web
Average cafe worker salary by state
The average cafe worker salary in Washington, Michigan, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average cafe worker salary states are North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for cafe workers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $34,499 | $16.59 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $31,857 | $15.32 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $31,608 | $15.20 |
| 4 | Michigan | $33,881 | $16.29 |
| 5 | Oregon | $31,790 | $15.28 |
| 6 | Maine | $32,575 | $15.66 |
| 7 | Illinois | $32,386 | $15.57 |
| 8 | New York | $33,369 | $16.04 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $33,326 | $16.02 |
| 10 | Delaware | $31,070 | $14.94 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $30,894 | $14.85 |
| 12 | Missouri | $28,322 | $13.62 |
| 13 | California | $31,481 | $15.14 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $31,784 | $15.28 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $32,582 | $15.66 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $32,237 | $15.50 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $28,917 | $13.90 |
| 18 | Idaho | $28,694 | $13.80 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $26,817 | $12.89 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $28,385 | $13.65 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $29,713 | $14.29 |
| 22 | Ohio | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| 23 | Utah | $27,583 | $13.26 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $30,243 | $14.54 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $26,767 | $12.87 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $26,046 | $12.52 |
| 27 | Colorado | $28,221 | $13.57 |
| 28 | Montana | $27,769 | $13.35 |
| 29 | Alaska | $29,447 | $14.16 |
| 30 | Vermont | $29,018 | $13.95 |
| 31 | Arizona | $27,254 | $13.10 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $26,588 | $12.78 |
| 33 | Maryland | $30,136 | $14.49 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $27,026 | $12.99 |
| 35 | Virginia | $27,318 | $13.13 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $24,389 | $11.73 |
| 37 | Nevada | $26,145 | $12.57 |
| 38 | Alabama | $24,292 | $11.68 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $25,573 | $12.29 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $24,180 | $11.63 |
| 41 | Texas | $24,611 | $11.83 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $24,145 | $11.61 |
| 43 | Iowa | $25,898 | $12.45 |
| 44 | Florida | $23,230 | $11.17 |
| 45 | Indiana | $24,683 | $11.87 |
| 46 | Kansas | $24,639 | $11.85 |
| 47 | Georgia | $23,512 | $11.30 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $21,839 | $10.50 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $23,718 | $11.40 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $23,718 | $11.40 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $24,643 | $11.85 |
Highest paying cities for cafe workers
The highest-paying cities for cafe workers are Waltham, MA, San Francisco, CA, and Beaverton, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waltham, MA | $32,578 | $15.66 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $32,341 | $15.55 |
| 3 | Beaverton, OR | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $31,827 | $15.30 |
| 5 | Lancaster, PA | $28,805 | $13.85 |
| 6 | Pocatello, ID | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| 7 | Prescott, AZ | $27,532 | $13.24 |
Cafe worker salary details
A cafe worker's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $33,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a cafe worker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 75th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| Average | $28,625 | $2,385 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying cafe worker jobs
The highest paying types of cafe workers are crew trainer, co-worker, and counter attendant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Prep | $25,840 | $2,153 | $12.42 | 168,743 |
| Food Service Attendant | $25,604 | $2,134 | $12.31 | 229,108 |
| Food Service/Cashier | $28,481 | $2,373 | $13.69 | 247,779 |
| Food Runner | $25,536 | $2,128 | $12.28 | 240,853 |
| Food Preparer | $27,717 | $2,310 | $13.33 | 134,113 |
| Crew Trainer | $53,128 | $4,427 | $25.54 | 101,338 |
Top companies hiring cafe workers now:
Which companies pay cafe workers the most?
Cafe worker salaries at MHC Healthcare and Bassett Healthcare Network are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average cafe worker salary at companies like New England Sinai Hospital and NexDine are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MHC Healthcare | $33,213 | $15.97 |
| 2 | Bassett Healthcare Network | $29,931 | $14.39 |
| 3 | New England Sinai Hospital | $29,154 | $14.02 |
| 4 | NexDine | $28,933 | $13.91 |
| 5 | AVI Foodsystems | $28,697 | $13.80 |
| 6 | Bsc America | $28,312 | $13.61 |
| 7 | Sodexo Management, Inc. | $28,021 | $13.47 |
| 8 | Aramark | $27,780 | $13.36 |
| 9 | WellSpan Health | $27,758 | $13.35 |
| 10 | Utah Community Action | $26,701 | $12.84 |
| 11 | Nashoba Brooks School-concord | $25,234 | $12.13 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Cafe Worker salary by industry
The average cafe worker salary varies across industries:
- The average cafe worker salary in the retail industry is $28,931, the highest of any industry.
- The average cafe worker salary in the finance industry is $28,740.
- Cafe workers in the health care industry earn an average salary of $28,445, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for cafe workers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail | $28,931 | $13.91 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $28,740 | $13.82 |
| 3 | Education | $28,460 | $13.68 |
| 4 | Health Care | $28,445 | $13.68 |
High paying cafe worker jobs
Cafe worker salary trends
The average cafe worker salary has risen by $6,468 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average cafe worker earned $22,157 annually, but today, they earn $28,625 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for cafe workers over the last decade.
Compare cafe worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average cafe worker salary over time
Compare cafe worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Cafe worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,600 | $13.76 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | $27,300 | $13.12 | +5.4% |
| 2023 | $25,800 | $12.42 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $24,500 | $11.79 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $23,600 | $11.36 | +2.7% |
Recently added cafe worker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coweta County Schools | Cashier Worker/Cafe | Nunez, GA | 06/28/2025 | $31,055 |
| Compass Group USA Inc. | Restaurants & Cafe Worker-Baltimore Convention Center | Baltimore, MD | 06/25/2025 | $35,479 |
| Columbia George Community College | Cafe Work Study (Cgcc Students Only) | The Dalles, OR | 06/20/2025 | $31,305 |
| Crista Ministries | Cafe Worker | Shoreline, WA | 06/05/2025 | $34,769 |
| Middletown Board of Education | Temporary/Substitute Cafe Worker | Middletown, CT | 05/27/2025 | $34,122 |
| Rolla Public Schools | Cafe Worker/Cashier | Noel, MO | 05/23/2025 | $33,121 |
| Erickson Senior Living | Cafe Worker | Glenolden, PA | 05/20/2025 | $31,305 |
| Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community | Cafe Worker--Days | Harrisonburg, VA | 05/11/2025 | $32,870 |
| Nexdine | Cafe Worker | Danvers, MA | 05/04/2025 | $41,740 |
| Columbia George Community College | Cafe Work Study (Cgcc Students Only) | The Dalles, OR | 04/28/2025 | $31,305 |
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