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Skilled Trades

Baristas

Prepare or serve specialty coffee or other beverages. Serve food such as baked goods or sandwiches to patrons.

Median salary (BLS)

$31,200

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$23k – $43k

Job outlook

+6% (faster than average)

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 2 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Plan a path to Baristas

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Baristas" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Baristas

    Entry / Junior

    $22,840

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Baristas

    Established

    $31,200

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Baristas

    Senior

    $36,925

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.