How much does a barista make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups this role under Fast Food and Counter Workers (SOC 35-3023). In its May 2025 wage survey, the national median was $15.00 an hour, or about $31,200 a year for full-time work, across roughly 3,854,050 people employed nationally. The middle of the market sits between $10.98 at the 10th percentile and $20.51 at the 90th.
Barista pay in Boston
In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area, the median for fast food and counter workers was $17.45 an hour ($36,290a year), reflecting Massachusetts' higher minimum wage and cost of living.
What moves the number
Barista pay depends on the type of cafe, local wage rules, and how much of the income comes from tips. Specialty coffee shops, busy urban locations, and roles with lead responsibilities tend to pay more. Experience with espresso, training others, and open-and-close responsibility can also raise the offer.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. BLS figures for tipped roles may not capture all tip income. The BLS category is the closest official match for this role, not an exact one.
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