Food Preparation & Serving
Baristas
Also called: Bobarista, Catering Barista
US median pay
$31,200
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.8%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
827,400
3,855,900 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Prepare or serve specialty coffee or other beverages. Serve food such as baked goods or sandwiches to patrons.
What they do day to day
- Clean or sanitize work areas, utensils, or equipment.
- Receive and process customer payments.
- Prepare or serve hot or cold beverages, such as coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees, or teas.
- Take customer orders and convey them to other employees for preparation.
- Clean service or seating areas.
- Prepare or serve menu items, such as sandwiches or salads.
- Wrap, label, or date food items for sale.
- Check temperatures of freezers, refrigerators, or heating equipment to ensure proper functioning.
- Take out garbage.
- Describe menu items to customers, or suggest products that might appeal to them.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation3.4/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Operation and Control2.6/5
- Persuasion2.5/5
- Time Management2.4/5
- Negotiation2.4/5
- Instructing2.2/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.6/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
- Sales and Marketing3.5/5
- Food Production3.2/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.0/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.