Baristas

There are plenty of employment opportunities for baristas in a variety of establishments. Employment for food and beverage service and related workers is expected to increase 2 percent (about as fast as the average for all careers) from 2022 through 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The growing population, particularly senior citizens, will create more need for restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops, and baristas will be needed to prepare and serve coffee and other beverages. In 2024, there were 72,854 coffee and snack shops in the U.S., according to IBISWorld. The National Coffee Association reports that 67 percent of U.S. adults consumed coffee every day in 2024.

With that said, it's important to note that there is also high turnover in this field due to the low pay and the long work hours standing and walking, so job opportunities will arise as workers leave for other positions.

Baristas with prior work experience and customer service knowledge will have the best job opportunities. Those who are flexible regarding part-time work and less-popular shifts, such as early morning or late night, will also have better chances of finding work over those who have more defined work-hour preferences. Some baristas may choose to work seasonally in places that interest them, such as in popular vacation areas.

New baristas may also find more opportunities in lower priced restaurants, where there is more turnover. Baristas in more formal, expensive restaurants may earn better salaries and stay in the job longer than in other establishments.

The food and beverage serving industry is affected by the state of the economy. During recessions, people eat out less and scale back on buying beverages. Also, events and festivals, such as the Olympics, can help boost local restaurant and related business, while other events, such as terror threats or pandemics, can reduce business. Whether positive or negative events, the effect on the industry is usually short term.