Going rate for a barista?

BeanCounter

Hello,

Predominantly out of curiosity, what is the going rate for a (decent) barista in full-time or permanent part-time employment?

Also, are most employed under contracts or awards?

Regards, Gary

Matthew_White

I'm employed as a casual under the award. I get $16.73 an hour, or thereabouts. I usually get 30-35 hours a week.

BeanCounter

Thanks Matthew.

fi

I am quite interested in this subject too. I am currently employed on a permanent part time basis 3 days per week and make approx. $450 a week. What do all you other baristi make???

BeanCounter

For people employed in NSW the relevant awards seem to be: Restaurants & Employees (State) Award http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/awards/pathways/results.jsp?contentlist=true&contentlistresults=false&award_code=577 Shop Employees (State) Award http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/awards/pathways/results.jsp?contentlist=true&contentlistresults=false&award_code=601 The difference between the two is whether the establishment is primarily for sit-down compared to take-away custom. Regards, Gary

kingcoffeecoffee

Hello Gary

BeanCounter

Hello Gary How much to pay for a good barista can vary on what you can afford and how much coffee you do (eg kg per week) and the quailty and the speed barista. My last job was $880 clear a week for the hours of mon-fri 7.00 to 2.30 but i was doing 70kg per week.

Thanks. 70kg sounds like a lot of coffee and a lot of work. Presumably that sort of volume would be at the top end of the market? Regards, Gary

Mr_Nang

The rate a "barista" could ask is anything up to $25 an hour provided they have the skill & experience (not just a person behind the counter). In negotiating e.g. between $15 an hour an $25, the barista just has to prove that they can generate an additional 7 cups of business an hour (a great barista can do this as they will draw additional customers to the business via referrals). From a business owners viewpoint it is well worth investing in an experienced and accomplished barista.

askthecoffeeguy

Me, I pay my barista $1000 take home per week for a 60hr week, Mon to Fri. And I pay myself about $50 per hour to be behind the machine, but then, I'm worth it. After all, you get what you pay for, but as a rule of thumb, the more honey (volume / quality / consistency), the more money! ACG

tommy

Id say that for a good barista, someone knowledgable in grind, machine calibration and troubleshooting, paying them about $25 is well worth it. Lots of cafes will call their distributor to come change the grind because its a particularily humid day... $80 later... the following day its no good again. A decent barista should know how to perfect the extraction and relate with the customers and increase sales through their skill and personality. $20 - $25 weekday/weekend respectively is pretty fair i think.