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The current average salary for a Barista/Shift Leader is about $31,670 per year or approximately $15.23 per hour. This figure reflects a range of factors, including location, experience, and the type of establishment. For instance, baristas in urban areas tend to earn more due to higher living costs and demand for skilled workers.
Experience plays a significant role in salary determination. Entry-level baristas may start at lower rates, while those with several years of experience or managerial responsibilities can earn significantly more. Additionally, barista/shift leaders in specialty coffee shops or high-end cafes often have the potential to earn higher wages compared to their counterparts in standard coffee chains.
Geographic location is critical in salary variations. States like California and New York typically offer higher wages due to increased demand and cost of living. Understanding these regional differences can help aspiring baristas better navigate their career paths. For more detailed insights, explore our state-by-state salary breakdown to see where you can earn the most.
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The average barista/shift leader salary in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average barista/shift leader salary states are Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $38,623 | $18.57 |
| 2 | Oregon | $33,707 | $16.21 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $38,782 | $18.65 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $31,768 | $15.27 |
| 5 | Maine | $33,659 | $16.18 |
| 6 | Michigan | $30,745 | $14.78 |
| 7 | Washington | $34,666 | $16.67 |
| 8 | Delaware | $34,818 | $16.74 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $38,133 | $18.33 |
| 10 | Indiana | $30,916 | $14.86 |
| 11 | Vermont | $34,603 | $16.64 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $37,865 | $18.20 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $36,322 | $17.46 |
| 14 | Ohio | $29,241 | $14.06 |
| 15 | Colorado | $32,025 | $15.40 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $31,001 | $14.90 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $33,651 | $16.18 |
| 18 | Tennessee | $28,501 | $13.70 |
| 19 | Virginia | $32,191 | $15.48 |
| 20 | California | $35,021 | $16.84 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $30,489 | $14.66 |
| 22 | Minnesota | $30,287 | $14.56 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $27,404 | $13.18 |
| 24 | Nebraska | $29,411 | $14.14 |
| 25 | Florida | $30,454 | $14.64 |
| 26 | New York | $33,083 | $15.91 |
| 27 | Montana | $28,543 | $13.72 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $28,624 | $13.76 |
| 29 | Iowa | $28,725 | $13.81 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $29,453 | $14.16 |
| 31 | Maryland | $32,179 | $15.47 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $31,305 | $15.05 |
| 33 | Utah | $27,439 | $13.19 |
| 34 | Arizona | $29,737 | $14.30 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $27,007 | $12.98 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $27,520 | $13.23 |
| 37 | Nevada | $28,435 | $13.67 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $26,121 | $12.56 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $25,126 | $12.08 |
| 40 | Texas | $27,884 | $13.41 |
| 41 | West Virginia | $25,888 | $12.45 |
| 42 | Idaho | $26,890 | $12.93 |
| 43 | Missouri | $25,277 | $12.15 |
| 44 | Georgia | $27,185 | $13.07 |
| 45 | Alabama | $25,365 | $12.19 |
| 46 | Illinois | $27,849 | $13.39 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $24,884 | $11.96 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $24,624 | $11.84 |
| 49 | Kansas | $23,659 | $11.37 |
| 50 | Alaska | $25,417 | $12.22 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $24,228 | $11.65 |
The highest-paying cities for barista/shift leaders are Trenton, NJ, Wilmington, DE, and Seattle, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trenton, NJ | $36,011 | $17.31 |
| 2 | Wilmington, DE | $34,981 | $16.82 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $34,825 | $16.74 |
| 4 | Garden Grove, CA | $34,767 | $16.71 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $33,641 | $16.17 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $33,051 | $15.89 |
| 7 | Englewood, CO | $32,001 | $15.39 |
| 8 | Allen Park, MI | $30,695 | $14.76 |
| 9 | Saint Paul, MN | $30,277 | $14.56 |
| 10 | Reno, NV | $28,797 | $13.84 |
| 11 | Cleveland, TN | $28,463 | $13.68 |
| 12 | Schaumburg, IL | $27,905 | $13.42 |
| 13 | Houston, TX | $27,774 | $13.35 |
| 14 | North Charleston, SC | $27,416 | $13.18 |
| 15 | Salt Lake City, UT | $27,384 | $13.17 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $27,187 | $13.07 |
| 17 | Milwaukee, WI | $26,986 | $12.97 |
| 18 | Kansas City, MO | $25,203 | $12.12 |
| 19 | New Orleans, LA | $24,564 | $11.81 |
A barista/shift leader's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $31,670 | $2,639 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
The highest paying types of barista/shift leaders are leader, chef/kitchen manager, and front of house manager.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chef/Kitchen Manager | $49,415 | $4,118 | $23.76 | 38,242 |
| Kitchen Supervisor | $40,520 | $3,377 | $19.48 | 66,303 |
| Cook Supervisor | $41,118 | $3,426 | $19.77 | 183,387 |
| Bakery Manager | $38,223 | $3,185 | $18.38 | 97,468 |
| Deli Manager | $39,221 | $3,268 | $18.86 | 131,359 |
| Crew Manager | $33,856 | $2,821 | $16.28 | 221,986 |
Top companies hiring barista/shift leaders now:
Barista/shift leader salaries at Hyatt Hotels and Kroger are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average barista/shift leader salary at companies like Meijer and Hy-Vee are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyatt Hotels | $33,878 | $16.29 |
| 2 | Kroger | $33,858 | $16.28 |
| 3 | Meijer | $33,708 | $16.21 |
| 4 | Hy-Vee | $32,494 | $15.62 |
| 5 | CSM Companies | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| 6 | Sodexo Management, Inc. | $29,960 | $14.40 |
| 7 | Sabey | $29,345 | $14.11 |
| 8 | Jack's Stir Brew Coffee | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| 9 | City of Hope Development Center | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| 10 | Thomas Cuisine | $28,938 | $13.91 |
| 11 | Dunkin Brands | $28,817 | $13.85 |
| 12 | Penske Automotive Group | $28,454 | $13.68 |
| 13 | Caesars Entertainment | $26,962 | $12.96 |
| 14 | Monarch Casino & Resort | $26,529 | $12.75 |
| 15 | Starbucks | $26,293 | $12.64 |
The average barista/shift leader salary has risen by $4,599 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average barista/shift leader earned $27,071 annually, but today, they earn $31,670 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for barista/shift leaders over the last decade.
Compare barista/shift leader salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare barista/shift leader salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,700 | $15.23 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $30,600 | $14.71 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $29,700 | $14.29 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $29,300 | $14.08 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | $28,800 | $13.86 | +3.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CC's Coffee House | Barista-Esplanade Location-Opening Shifts, Including Weekends | New Orleans, LA | 06/13/2025 | $18,783 |
| Perky Beans Coffee & PB CafÉ | Barista Shift Lead | Leander, TX | 06/09/2025 | $41,740 |
| Perky Beans Coffee & PB CafÉ | Barista Shift Lead | Leander, TX | 05/21/2025 | $41,740 |
| Jg Chicken | Barista-Irvine-Weekend Evening Night Shift | Irvine, CA | 05/12/2025 | $37,566 |
| Moody Gardens | Moody Brews Barista-AM Shift | Galveston, TX | 05/03/2025 | $25,044 |
| CC's Coffee House | Shift Lead/Barista-Multiple Baton Rouge Locations | Baton Rouge, LA | 05/02/2025 | $20,870 |
| CC's Coffee House | Barista-Royal ST-Flexible Shifts, Including Weekends | New Orleans, LA | 04/28/2025 | $18,783 |
| Raw Juce | Raw Juce-Shift Leader Smoothie Barista-Brickell | Miami, FL | 04/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Coborn's | Coffee Barista AM AM AM PM Shifts | Hastings, MN | 04/23/2025 | $27,131 |
| Dunkin | Lead Barista/Shift Leader | Washington, LA | 04/16/2025 | $34,957 |
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