1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Barista

Barista

Alternative titles for this job include

Baristas make and serve coffee in cafes, coffee shop chains, restaurants and hotels.

Average salary (a year)

£12,500 Starter

to

£20,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a barista

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course that would give you some of the skills to do this role. Courses include:

  • Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in the Hospitality Industry
  • Level 2 Award in Barista Skills
  • Level 2 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can train through a hospitality team member intermediate apprenticeship.

This will usually take 12 months to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time at a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs. Some employers may prefer you to have experience in customer service or catering.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a barista from the Hospitality Guild.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work on your own
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • a good memory
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • prepare the coffee shop ready for opening
  • take customer orders and payments
  • grind fresh coffee beans
  • prepare and serve sandwiches and cakes
  • clean and tidy work areas, equipment and coffee machines
  • create displays of stock
  • do stock checks and order new stock
  • clean and tidy the coffee shop before closing

Working environment

You could work in a coffee shop.

Your working environment may be noisy and hot.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a store manager and then move on to a regional manager role.

You could also become self-employed and set up your own coffee shop.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Hospitality Team Member Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,140.00 Annually
  • Location: Leeds

Front Of House Apprentice

  • Wage: £11,700.00 Annually
  • Location: ROYSTON
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Award in Barista Skills

  • Provider: CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: PLYMOUTH

Barista Skills Awd L2 (Apr)

  • Provider: EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 25 April 2023
  • Location: Eastbourne
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.