Money · 1 of 5
What baristas make
Typical
$31,200
First job, part time
$22,840
Lead barista or shift supervisor
$42,650
The federal wage survey has no line for baristas. It counts them inside a much bigger group called fast food and counter workers, with a national median of $31,200 a year and a bottom tenth near $22,840. Tips at a busy specialty cafe add several dollars an hour on top of that.