Also called: coffee barista
What a barista does
Baristas make and serve espresso drinks, drip coffee, tea, and cold beverages, often while also running the register and keeping the counter clean. They know how to dial in an espresso grinder, steam milk, and consistently follow drink recipes. A great barista is quick, friendly, and attentive to detail, and can handle morning rushes without losing quality. This role fits cafes, restaurants with coffee programs, and bakeries, and offers a clear path into lead and manager roles.
Pay snapshot: the BLS reports a national median of $15.00/hr for fast food and counter workers, and $17.45/hr in the Boston metro. See the full salary breakdown.
Responsibilities
- Prepare espresso drinks, drip coffee, tea, and seasonal beverages to recipe
- Steam and texture milk, including alternatives, to the house standard
- Take orders and process payments at the counter or register
- Greet guests, answer menu questions, and suggest drinks and pastries
- Keep the espresso machine, grinders, and brewers clean and in working order
- Restock cups, lids, milk, syrups, and pastry cases
- Label and rotate food and dairy items per food safety rules
- Handle allergy and dietary questions carefully
- Keep the counter, seating area, and restrooms tidy during shifts
- Open and close the cafe following the checklists
Requirements
- Previous cafe or coffee experience preferred
- Willingness to learn espresso and milk steaming through training
- Comfort working a register and handling cash
- Food handler card or food safety training where required locally
- Ability to stand for long periods and lift cases of milk
- Early morning or weekend availability
Skills
- Espresso and milk steaming
- Speed during morning rushes
- Friendly guest service
- Recipe consistency
- Equipment cleaning
- Cash handling
- Product knowledge for coffee, tea, and pastries
Schedule
Baristas often work early morning shifts starting before sunrise, with some cafes also staffing afternoon and weekend hours.
Barista job posting template
Copy this, replace the bracketed parts, and post it.
Barista at [Restaurant Name], [City] About us [Restaurant Name] is a [cafe or restaurant concept] in [City] serving [coffee roaster or signature drinks]. We are hiring a barista who loves coffee and loves meeting regulars. What you will do - Make espresso drinks, coffee, tea, and seasonal specials - Take orders and run the register - Keep the espresso bar and counter clean - Restock milk, cups, syrups, and pastries - Open or close the cafe using our checklists What we are looking for - Cafe or coffee experience preferred, training provided - Friendly, quick, and detail-minded - Comfortable with a busy morning rush - Food handler card where required in [State] - Ability to stand and lift light cases Pay and perks [$XX-$XX/hr + tips]. Free drinks on shift, paid coffee training, and growth into lead roles. Shifts [Shift], including some weekends. How to apply Send your resume to [Email/Link], or stop by [Address] and ask for [Manager Name].
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