barista pay

System

Hi, I'm wondering what the pay range is for barista's?

In NZ $NZ13-$15 per hour before tax seems standard.

I've been paid $AU15 cash while working in Melbourne.

Now I'm about to 'negotiate' for a job here in Queensland...
can anyone let me know what they are personally paid(if baristas) or what they pay their staff?

Thanks

tommy

it would obviously depend on your skill, but generally on the books $17 - $25

Unknown

That seems like a fairly large difference, what's a $25p/h barista do that a $17p/h one doesn't? Is this the pay difference at the cafe you own or work at?

tommy

17 is roughly award. If i were an employer, i would pay a good barista $20 weekdays and bit then some on weekends. There is no objective test to determine what rate your worth, but i think that you can look at it in terms of how you can benefit the business. For eg, paying an average barista $18 to make average coffee might cost you 'x' amount a week, but if you employ a very good barista who is then able to bring customers back and generate a bit of hype and establish that your cafe is the place to go for coffee... then paying them $25 an hour is totally worth it. Considering thats only really 2 more coffees an hour.... But there arent that many employers who can afford top dollar baristas, or who can justify top baristas. It will all depend on the estblishment that you are working for and their coffee ethos i guess. One approach would be to start on a rate set by employer for say 2 weeks and then if they think you are worth more to the business, then negotiate your rate higher.

tommy

what's a $25p/h barista do that a $17p/h one doesn't?

i would expect the former to produce outstanding coffee 90% of the time whereas the latter i would expect the job to be done to a sufficient degree. The 25 barista would need to know alot about coffee, grinder, machine and all the variables that make a decent cup. Whereas the 17 would be someone with room to learn Hope this sort of answers your question, its just a bit hard to give you a ballpark of what you are worth without having your coffees.  

askthecoffeeguy

I would expect my $25 per hr barista to maintain 100% quality control of my coffees, 100% of the time, to be able to co-ordinate other staff, run the roster, look after ordering, and to be able to step into my (cafe owner) shoes, when needed to do so. A $25 per hour barista should also be able to effortlessly co-ordinate 800 coffees per day (at least in my establishment), and still be able to be completely satisfied with every single coffee served. They should know all the regulars by name, and where possible, have their coffees ready for them, as soon as they see them coming, and hopefully, before they even place their order! It is a position to be aspired to, and not an automatic given, and something, I believe, that comes with time, effort, commitment to training, and investment in the longevity, well-being, and happiness of your staff. Being able to read the pour and adjust the grind accordingly is something that I don't believe can be taught, it has to be learned and experienced over time. Anyway, that's just the tip of the iceberg about what makes a good coffee maker great. And making great coffee is only one aspect of the equation. ACG

scottie

I think a great idea is an incentive system. Something like - the barista gets so much for the first 10kg that week (providing she achieves 100 cups per kg) and then a set amount extra for every kg over 10kg. This would mean they would need to do all the necessary things to help build the business, as well as give them a sence of ownership. Scottie