Baristas

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Food Preparation & Serving
• O*NET-SOC code: 35-3023
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Set up or restock product displays.
• Weigh, grind, or pack coffee beans for customers.
• Wrap, label, or date food items for sale.
• Stock customer service stations with paper products or beverage preparation items.
• 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.
• Clean service or seating areas.
• Serve prepared foods, such as muffins, biscotti, or bagels.
• Prepare or serve menu items, such as sandwiches or salads.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word, Accounting software, Bagel cutters, Box cutters, Cash registers, Chefs' knives, Coffee brewing machines, Coffee grinders, Commercial kitchen microwave ovens, Commercial kitchen toasters

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Fast Food and Counter Workers
• Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
• Food Preparation Workers
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
• Waiters and Waitresses
• Cooks, Short Order
• Bartenders
• Cooks, Restaurant

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Baristas — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.