Baristas in Kentucky
Considering working as a Baristas in Kentucky? Here’s what you need to know. Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages. Counter attendants who also wait tables are included in “Waiters and Waitresses” (35-3031),
What do Baristas Make in Kentucky?
For baristas working in Kentucky, the median annual wage is $27,170 per year (or about $13.06/hour).Earnings range from $21,380 at the 10th percentile to $34,080 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21,380 | $10.28 |
| 25th percentile | $22,590 | $10.86 |
| Median (50th) | $27,170 | $13.06 |
| 75th percentile | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| 90th percentile | $34,080 | $16.38 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Kentucky relative to the national average — is 0.86, meaning fewer baristas per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, baristas earn a median of $29,815 per year ($14.33/hour), lower than the Kentucky median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 883,432 baristas nationwide. In Kentucky alone, around 41,890 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 44,110 baristas.
Top Kentucky Metros for Baristas
The largest metro-area employers of baristas in Kentucky.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 15,970 | $28,340 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 5,540 | $27,740 |
| Bowling Green, KY | 2,250 | $27,580 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | 1,420 | $27,000 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | 1,100 | $27,620 |
| Owensboro, KY | 1,050 | $26,370 |
Top States for Baristas Employment
These states have the highest employment of baristas work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 438,950 |
| Texas | 410,760 |
| Florida | 241,010 |
| New York | 183,810 |
| Ohio | 167,650 |
| Georgia | 151,240 |
| Illinois | 139,090 |
| Pennsylvania | 131,650 |
| Michigan | 114,880 |
| Virginia | 103,390 |
| Indiana | 101,500 |
| Washington | 94,830 |
| New Jersey | 86,980 |
| Arizona | 86,640 |
| North Carolina | 85,120 |
| Tennessee | 84,170 |
| Massachusetts | 81,770 |
| Colorado | 78,720 |
| South Carolina | 63,380 |
| Wisconsin | 60,570 |
Highest-Paying States for Baristas
These states pay the most for baristas.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $38,240 |
| California | $37,010 |
| Washington | $36,820 |
| Colorado | $35,440 |
| New York | $35,270 |
| Massachusetts | $35,060 |
| Vermont | $34,540 |
| Alaska | $34,430 |
| Oregon | $34,430 |
| Maine | $34,360 |
Skills
Key baristas skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for baristas, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Baristas typically:
- 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 or sanitize work areas, utensils, or equipment.
- Describe menu items to customers, or suggest products that might appeal to them.
- Clean service or seating areas.
- Serve prepared foods, such as muffins, biscotti, or bagels.
- Prepare or serve menu items, such as sandwiches or salads.
- Set up or restock product displays.
- Weigh, grind, or pack coffee beans for customers.
- Stock customer service stations with paper products or beverage preparation items.
- Wrap, label, or date food items for sale.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Training and Teaching Others
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Getting Information
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Careers similar to baristas include:
- Food Service Managers
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
- Cooks, Private Household
Also Known As
Barista, Cafe Barista, Catering Barista, Coffee Bar Attendant, Coffee Barista, Coffee Brewer, Coffee Maker, Coffee Shop Attendant, Coffee Sommelier, Gourmet Coffee Attendant, Juicer, Server.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 35-3023.01