- 493barista jobs on our site
- 7employers hiring baristas
- £12.71–£14.12typical top hourly rate in adverts that show pay
- 4 of 7employers mention apprenticeships
What Does a Barista Do?
Baristas make and serve coffee and other drinks, and look after customers while they do it. We read 18 adverts from the 7 employers hiring baristas on our site. These are the parts of the job they mentioned most.
- Making coffee and drinksHot and cold drinks made to the recipe, and to each customer's request. Mentioned by all 7 employers.
- Looking after customersFriendly, quick service that makes people want to come back. Mentioned by 6 of the 7.
- Knowing the menuLearning the drinks and products well enough to help customers choose. Mentioned by 5 of the 7.
- Keeping it cleanA clean, welcoming counter, with tables cleared and sanitised. Mentioned by 4 of the 7.
In cafés that serve food, baristas also serve hot and cold food and help keep the kitchen area clean. Experienced baristas in one supermarket café chain coach newer ones.
Where Baristas Work
Barista jobs on our site are in:
- Coffee shop chains, the largest group by far.
- Bakery cafés.
- Cafés inside shops and supermarkets.
- Airports and stations.
- Hotels.
Do You Need Experience?
Not always. One coffee chain says no experience is needed because full training is given in store. Others would like you to have worked in a café or in hospitality before, and one supermarket café asks for barista or hospitality experience.
4 of the 7 employers mention apprenticeships. One offers a Hospitality Barista Level 2 apprenticeship alongside the job.
Check the age rules. One employer hires from 16, at a lower rate for 16 and 17 year olds. Others need you to be 18 or over, either to apply or for some tasks and shifts.
What Employers Look For
How many of the 7 employers mention each quality in their adverts:
Every employer asks for warmth, energy or a smile. A love of coffee helps too.
What Does a Barista Earn?
£12.71–£14.12an hour
That's the spread of typical top hourly rates across the 6 employers whose adverts show pay. The middle of that spread is £12.75.
- £12.71 is the most common rate. 3 of those 6 employers pay it. It is the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over (from April 2026).
- Younger workers can be paid less. One employer pays £8.00 an hour at 16 and 17, the legal minimum for under-18s.
- Rates can depend on where you work. One chain advertises £13.12 to £14.12 an hour depending on location.
- Nights can pay more. An airport coffee shop advertises an extra £1.20 an hour between midnight and 6am.
Look beyond the hourly rate as well. Of the 7 employers, 5 mention a staff discount (up to 70% on selected food and drink at one), 3 mention free or discounted food or drink on shift and 3 mention a pension.
Hours and Shifts
- Flexible shifts are the norm. 6 of the 7 employers mention flexibility, and part-time, seasonal and weekend-only jobs are all advertised.
- Coffee starts early. One chain's shifts run between 5am and 7pm, including opening and closing the store, which may mean working alone. At an airport, early shifts start from 2:30am.
- Expect some weekends. Adverts ask for weekends, evenings and bank holidays, and one weekend job is for both Saturday and Sunday.
Where It Can Lead
One coffee chain calls its career path "Barista to Boardroom".
Coffee shops have a clear ladder. These are the steps up in jobs on our site:
- Barista Maestro or Head Barista: the senior barista on the team.
- Team Leader or Shift Supervisor: running a shift.
- Assistant Manager: helping run the whole store or café.
- Store Manager: responsible for the store, its team and its results.
Job Titles to Search For
How to Get Started
- Start where you are. With no experience, look for adverts that offer full training or an apprenticeship.
- Be ready for early starts. Coffee shops open early, so morning availability helps.
- Expect a modern application. One employer starts every application with a short online chat, with people making the final decision.
- Prepare for the interview. Read our 20 common interview questions before the day.