Post job

Server/barista vs lead barista

The differences between server/baristas and lead baristas can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead barista has an average salary of $33,918, which is higher than the $30,749 average annual salary of a server/barista.

The top three skills for a server/barista include cleanliness, wine and customer service. The most important skills for a lead barista are cleanliness, customer service, and product quality.

Server/barista vs lead barista overview

Server/BaristaLead Barista
Yearly salary$30,749$33,918
Hourly rate$14.78$16.31
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs173,07370,195
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

What does a server/barista do?

A server/barista is someone who makes and serves beverages and foods, such as coffee, tea, and sandwiches or baked goods. He/She or she should be able to explain menu items to customers to ensure customer satisfaction. Other responsibilities include knowing food and beverage quality controls and updating displays to attract customers. The core skills that a server/barista should possess include excellent listening and communication skills and the ability to cope up with a physically demanding work environment. A candidate with a high school diploma or equivalent could qualify for the position.

What does a lead barista do?

A Lead Barista provides quality customer service and demonstrates knowledge of coffee equipment, products, and menu products. Lead baristas serve all products with friendly and individualized attention towards each customer. They are responsible for making a difference to customers by educating them about our premium coffees. They establish relationships with customers and foster a positive and friendly store environment. They also assist new team members in the training program and provide technical guidance.

Server/barista vs lead barista salary

Server/baristas and lead baristas have different pay scales, as shown below.

Server/BaristaLead Barista
Average salary$30,749$33,918
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $40,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between server/barista and lead barista education

There are a few differences between a server/barista and a lead barista in terms of educational background:

Server/BaristaLead Barista
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common college--

Server/barista vs lead barista demographics

Here are the differences between server/baristas' and lead baristas' demographics:

Server/BaristaLead Barista
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 28.2% Female, 71.8%Male, 30.3% Female, 69.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between server/barista and lead barista duties and responsibilities

Server/barista example responsibilities.

  • Open and close the cafe, work a POS system, manage inventory, stock the cafe.
  • Practice organization and cleanliness while managing individual tasks.
  • Greet and seat customer, take orders through POS system, and deliver food and drinks to customers.
  • Cash handling experience, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, ensure customer satisfaction through superior customer interaction.
  • Maintain regular and consistent attendance and punctuality as well as trained new team members with positive reinforcement and respectfully encouraging coaching
  • Maintain an organize and time sensitive backroom with various perishables.
  • Show more

Lead barista example responsibilities.

  • Manage high-volume university caf and bakery.
  • Prepare and serve drinks and food in accordance with health codes and caf standards.
  • Promote, educate, and enforce sustainable techniques to reduce waste and save Starbucks money.
  • Warehouse assistance include roasting, bagging and labeling the company's exclusive whole bean product.
  • Perform daily floor cleaning and environmental upkeep of store and backroom, and unload Starbucks product weekly.
  • Assist the pharmacy with mailing out pharmaceutical drugs as well as ran the register through a POS system.
  • Show more

Server/barista vs lead barista skills

Common server/barista skills
  • Cleanliness, 24%
  • Wine, 17%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Multitasking, 10%
  • Presentation Standards, 9%
  • POS, 4%
Common lead barista skills
  • Cleanliness, 16%
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Product Quality, 10%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 8%
  • Culinary, 5%
  • BARS, 4%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs