Starbucks Barista: Job Description, Duties, Salary & More

Currently, one of the most popular positions at Starbucks is the barista. Responsible for much more than just preparing beverages, the barista helps keep the store looking its best and works directly with customers.

Before applying for this position, it’s best to read a little bit more about the Starbucks barista job description. Further below, we’re going to be covering the primary responsibilities of this job, as well as other relevant information like its work schedule, salary, and perks.

Starbucks Barista Job Description & Duties: What Does a Starbucks Barista Do?

As a Starbucks barista, you will be responsible for a wide range of different tasks in your day-to-day interactions with your customers. From taking custom orders to recommending new products, your routine can change in the blink of an eye.

The sections below cover essential elements about this position in greater detail.

Starbucks Barista Job Duties

As a barista at Starbucks, you will be expected to adapt to the changing needs throughout the store rapidly. You can easily start off making beverages at the Frappuccino station before swapping spots with a fellow associate at the espresso bar.

As a Starbucks barista, your primary responsibilities will include:

• Prepare coffee and tea beverages for customers
• Recommend the coffeehouse’s products to undecided clientele
• Clean and maintain the store during downtime as needed
• Ensure that you are adhering to food safety procedures at all times
• Cash handling and accurately record customer order information
• Resolve customer complaints quickly and efficiently as they arise

Starbucks Barista Working Hours

Baristas at Starbucks work a wide range of different hours based on the staffing needs of each individual store. Typical time periods that you may be expected to come to work include late nights, as well as early mornings.

Baristas can be either full-time or part-time, with the total working hours ranging anywhere from 20 to 40 hours each week.

In rare cases, overtime may occasionally be required during busy periods.

Starbucks Barista Working Environment

Working as a barista at Starbucks will require extended periods of standing and walking around quickly. Also, you must be comfortable working in a fairly confined area with multiple other employees around you.

Depending on the station you are assigned to, you will be exposed to hot temperatures while operating various cooking equipment, as well.

While stocking and moving equipment, you will also be crouching a lot throughout the day.

Starbucks Barista Salary

The starting pay for Starbucks baristas may vary considerably based on various factors, such as your previous work experience. In most cases, baristas typically start at anywhere from $9 to $16 an hour.

Full-time associates are eligible for benefits like 401(k), health insurance, and paid time off.

In addition, all employees receive exclusive discounts to the store’s products and typically receive a shared portion of weekly tips as well.

Starbucks Employee Benefits & Perks

Starbucks offers numerous benefits to their employees, both full-time and part-time. Of course, your specific benefits will depend on your employment status.

Here is a full list of the benefits and perks offered to Starbucks employees.

Benefits:

• Stock and Savings: 401(k) plan including a company match (up to 4%-6% of your salary), along with discounted company stock and participation in their equity reward program, Bean Stock;
• Health Coverage: Offers multiple choices for health, dental, and vision care. Also, health care and dependent care reimbursement plans, life insurance, disability, and accident coverage;
• Parental Leave: Eligible employees welcoming a new child can receive paid time off through Starbucks’ parental leave program. The company also provides adoption-expense reimbursement, up to $10,000 per child;
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Employees are eligible for paid vacation days and partner and family sick time. Starbucks also observes 7 paid holidays (employees are paid time and a half for working on those days);
• Commuter Benefits: They offer ways for employees to take care of work-related commuting expenses, like transit passes;
• Education: Offers eligible employees the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s degree with 100% tuition coverage, coaching, and counseling through Arizona State University’s online program;
• Partner Assistance: Offers employees assistance with financial crisis resulting from illness, family death, natural disasters, or other extenuating circumstances.

Perks:

• In-store employee discount: 30% off;
• Coffee and tea markout: Eligible to receive a free pound of coffee or box of tea every single week;
• Partner networks: Brings together employees with common interests;
• Recognition programs: Both formal and informal to recognize employees;
• Care@Work by Care.com: Access to up to 10 backup care days for kids and adults per year;
• Affiliate discounts;
• Elite athlete program;
• Massive gym discounts (at Gold’s Gym, GlobalFit, and Curves); 
• Free Spotify Premium, through this link (the service is $9.99 per month for the rest of us mortals);
• On-Site gym, daycare, and dry-cleaning (only for Starbucks Support Center employees);
• Matching Gifts program: Up to $1,500 per fiscal year for eligible nonprofits.

To keep track of all the perks and learn about new ones, use your employee ID to sign up for Starbucks Partner Discounts newsletter. New perks and goodies will be delivered straight to your inbox on a weekly basis.

Required Skills & Experience

It’s important to know the required skills and experience that Starbucks will expect you to have in order to become a barista for them.

These may include:

• Working well under pressure
• Strong communication skills
• Being punctual
• Having strong planning skills
• Being detail-oriented
• Multi-tasking ability
• Customer service experience
• Food service experience

However, if you don’t have all of these qualities, that doesn’t mean you can’t apply for the job.

With the proper training, you could be an excellent Starbucks barista, and the hiring manager will be able to recognize your true potential by just looking at your application or during the interview.

What to Expect during the Interview

Have you decided to apply to become a Starbucks barista and actually landed an interview? Congratulations!

However, we can all agree that interviews are nerve-racking, and you may be wondering what exactly to expect.

We are going to give you some sample interview questions that you may be asked, as well as some tips for answering each one of them.

Question: “What do you know about Starbucks?”

Answering tips:

• Starbucks sells high-quality coffee and tea, as well as espresso, Frappuccinos, smoothies, and bakery/food items
• Starbucks started in Seattle in 1971
• They have a loyalty program called My Starbucks Rewards card for frequent customers. Loyal customers can receive perks, such as free food and drinks.

Question: “Tell us a little about yourself and your work experience.”

Answering tips:

This can sometimes be a tough question to answer, as many people find it difficult to talk about themselves, especially their accomplishments. Here are some things to never lose focus on:

• Tell them how your work experience directly relates to the Starbucks barista job description, especially if your experience isn’t in the coffee or food service industry
• This could include any customer service experience, retail experience, cash handling, or simply just working with people (including class projects!)

Question: “What is your greatest strength?”

Answering tips:

Again, this can be difficult for some people to answer because it requires you to brag about yourself. Here are some examples of well-thought out answers.

However, the biggest tip is DON’T LIE! Don’t give them an answer that you know they want to hear, if it doesn’t apply to you.

This will only make your job tougher in the long run, and they’ll be able to tell you’ve lied to them if you’re hired.

• I am a quick learner. –> This will show them that it will be fairly simple to train you.
• I’m an excellent multi-tasker. –> This is huge to the job of a Starbucks barista, so it will show them you’re well-qualified.
• I work well under pressure. –> Again, this is essential to working at Starbucks.

Question: “Why do you want to work at Starbucks?”

Answering tips:

• Talk about loving Starbucks products, and how you want to be able to represent them to the public.
• Talk about how Starbucks treats their employees and staff. Pinpoint the excellent customer service, as well as the benefits associated with working for the company.

Other likely interview questions revolve around the coffeehouse’s dress code. Make sure that do your research before walking through that door.

Also, check out the short clip below for more (fairly unexpected) questions that might pop up during a Starbucks interview.

 

Our Final Thoughts: Starbucks Barista Job Description

If you enjoy a challenging work environment that rapidly changes, a barista position at Starbucks may be right for you.

With responsibilities ranging from taking customer orders to preparing delicious coffee beverages, this position is best suited for individuals who thrive in an active environment.

If you are interested in applying, look for all available positions in your area or check out Starbucks’ careers page.

And while you’re at it, check out our posts on other Starbucks job descriptions, including Starbucks Shift Supervisor and Starbucks Store Manager.

Happy job hunting!