This guide shows what to expect on pay from barista to manager and how location and experience change your salary.
You’ll get a clear pay overview, average hourly rates by role, and quick facts. Learn how to apply online and in store, what to bring, and the key steps in the hiring process.
You’ll find interview tips, common questions, and how to prepare for a store tour or trial shift.



See benefits that boost total pay like health, retirement, stock grants, and tuition help, plus career paths, training, promotion steps, and the qualifications to move up.
Starbucks Jobs: See Salaries and How to Apply — Pay Overview
If you want a quick read on pay and how to land a job, this is it: Starbucks Jobs: See Salaries and How to Apply.
Pay varies by role and location, and most stores now post starting pay on the job listing. The job posting shows the pay range, hours, and basic benefits so you can decide whether to apply.
Start with entry-level roles like barista and shift supervisor. Baristas are often the first stop and pay tends to reflect local costs.
Besides hourly pay, Starbucks often lists perks — free drink perks, health coverage for qualifying hours, 401(k) options, and education benefits.
That mix can make a lower hourly rate feel more valuable if you plan to stay and grow.
To apply, use the Starbucks careers site or walk into a store and ask for the hiring manager.
Online you’ll create a profile, upload a short resume, and pick availability. In store, a quick chat and a smile go a long way — tell them your hours, mention any cafe or retail experience, and be ready for a short interview or a callback within a week.
Average Starbucks hourly pay by role
Baristas typically earn around $11–$17 per hour across the U.S., depending on location. Shift supervisors and experienced baristas can land higher hourly rates, and some stores add a training pay bump while you learn.
Assistant managers and store managers are paid more, often moving into salaried roles or higher hourly equivalents. Assistant managers might make the equivalent of $16–$28 per hour, while store managers often earn an annual salary that breaks down to higher hourly pay.
Show leadership, reliability, and good inventory sense to aim for those roles.
How location and experience change Starbucks salaries
Where you work matters. Big cities or high-cost states usually pay more; some regions raise starting pay to meet local minimums.
Unionized stores or district policies can also lift wages. Experience moves the needle too — register experience, team leadership, and rush-hour handling can push offers higher, especially if you can cover peak shifts.
Quick fact about Starbucks hourly pay
Many Starbucks listings now show starting pay right on the job ad. Barista starting pay commonly falls between $12 and $16 per hour in many U.S. markets — higher in major cities and stores with local premiums.
Starbucks salary by position and what to expect
Search “Starbucks Jobs: See Salaries and How to Apply” and you’ll find that pay depends on where you live and the kind of store.
Urban and company-owned stores often pay more than licensed locations. Expect different base pay plus perks like a free drink, partner discount, and sometimes health benefits and tuition help.
Think of pay like a ladder: you start as a barista and climb with experience and leadership.
Hours, local wage laws, and store busyness change how fast you climb. Tips can add a little extra in some stores, but base pay is the steady part of your paycheck.
If you want higher pay, aim for roles with more responsibility or move to a higher-pay market.
Barista pay and basic job requirements
Typical starting pay often sits between the local minimum wage and modestly higher — around $12–$17 per hour in many places.
You also get a partner discount and, in some cases, benefits if you work enough hours. The role requires a friendly attitude, quick hands, standing for long shifts, learning drink recipes, and working a register.
Basic requirements usually include minimum working age (varies by location), passing a background check, and completing on-the-job training.
Show energy and give examples of teamwork to stand out.
Shift supervisor salary and duties
Shift supervisors earn more than baristas because they handle extra tasks like leading shifts, opening/closing, and cash handling.
Wages are often a few dollars higher per hour than barista pay. Duties include coaching partners, resolving issues, and helping with orders and inventory.
To move into this role, demonstrate that you can teach others, stay calm under pressure, and keep customers happy.
Salary ranges from entry level to manager
Expect baristas roughly in the $12–$17 per hour band, shift supervisors around $14–$22 per hour, and store managers paid annually in a wide range like $40,000–$70,000 depending on store size and location.
Numbers vary with local wage laws, benefits, and experience.
How to apply to Starbucks — Step by step guide
Think of your application like brewing coffee: start with the right basics and follow a short recipe. First, pick the role and note the store or area. Have your resume, a list of references, and the dates you can work ready.
If you prefer mornings or evenings, write that down for the application.
Create an account on the Starbucks careers site and complete your profile. Use clear job titles and short bullets on past work.
Highlight barista or customer service experience with specific examples — handled rush lines of 50 customers is better than vague phrases.
Submit and follow up: apply to specific shifts or stores, watch your email and the portal, and if you don’t hear back in a week, drop by the store to check on your application.
Use the Starbucks job application online portal
Open the Starbucks careers page and search by city or job type. Create a profile to save jobs and apply faster.
The system asks about availability, work history, and references. Keep answers short and honest. Upload a simple resume (PDF or Word) and a recent phone number and email.
Answer situational questions with real examples using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. For customer service questions, mention a time you helped someone calm down or fixed a mix-up.
Applying in store and what to bring for Starbucks jobs
If you go into a store, dress neat and be on time. Bring a printed resume, a photo ID, and a short list of references.
A friendly line like Hi, I applied online and wanted to introduce myself opens doors. Ask if the manager has a moment; if not, leave your resume and a note.
Be ready to share your availability and why you want the job. Mention any relevant experience, even casual, and keep answers short.
Key steps in the Starbucks hiring process
Typical steps: online application, phone or in-person screening, interview with the store manager, background check and offer, then onboarding and training. Most hires hear back within a few days to two weeks.
Stay reachable, follow up once, and be ready to start training when offered.
Starbucks hiring process and interview tips
Apply online or in person and list your availability clearly. For pay info or step-by-step guidance, search “Starbucks Jobs: See Salaries and How to Apply” so you know what to expect.
After you apply, expect a quick phone screen and then an in-person chat or trial shift. Be clear, friendly, and concise.
At the interview, behavior matters more than perfect answers. Smile, use your name, and show you can help people. Give short examples of times you helped a customer or worked on a team.
Bring a simple resume and arrive in clean, casual-professional clothes. If invited for a trial shift, treat it like an interview: move fast, clean often, and talk to customers.
Common interview questions for Starbucks jobs
Expect questions about customer service and teamwork: Tell me about a time you helped a customer, or How do you handle a rude customer? Use brief stories: set the scene, describe your action, and share the result.
They’ll also ask about availability and why you want to work at Starbucks — be honest and mention what you like about the brand if relevant. Managers hire attitude and fit first, then skills.
How to prepare for a store tour or trial shift
Watch quick videos on basic drinks and order flow. Practice saying drink names aloud. Wear closed-toe shoes and tidy clothes. Bring water and a small notepad if you want to jot tips. Arrive early and follow instructions.
During the shift, do small jobs quickly: wipe counters, restock cups, and greet customers. Ask short questions when needed and show purposeful movement.
What to expect after your interview in the hiring process
Expect a call or email in a few days to a week. They may invite you for another talk, a trial shift, or a background check. If offered, you’ll get training dates and your start schedule. If you don’t hear back, follow up politely to say you’re still interested.
Starbucks benefits and pay — what partners receive
Pay is more than the number on your paycheck. Base pay varies by role and location, but benefits like health, stock, tuition help, and time-off policies add real value. When reviewing listings or searching “Starbucks Jobs: See Salaries and How to Apply,” look past the hourly wage and note total compensation, including long-term perks.
As a partner you get a mix of immediate pay and longer-term perks. Many benefits kick in after a few weeks or months.
Think of your paycheck as the tip of an iceberg — benefits are the larger mass under the surface that affect total compensation. If you compare employers, put stock grants and tuition help into dollar terms to get a fuller picture.
Health and retirement benefits for eligible partners
Work enough hours and you can access medical, dental, and vision plans. Starbucks offers multiple plan levels and often contributes to premiums. There’s also a 401(k) with company match for eligible partners, allowing retirement savings to grow faster over time.
Pay perks like stock grants and tuition support
Partners often receive stock grants, called Bean Stock, which vest over time and reward tenure. Starbucks also offers tuition support through programs like the Starbucks College Achievement Plan for eligible online programs, which can save thousands and change your career path.
How benefits affect total Starbucks salaries and pay
Benefits like health coverage, stock, and tuition help can raise your effective pay by thousands a year, depending on your situation. Add those values to your hourly wage or salary to see a fuller compensation picture.
Starbucks career opportunities and growth paths
You can start at the counter and move into district or corporate roles. Starbucks hires at many levels — barista, shift supervisor, store manager, district manager, and corporate positions in marketing, supply chain, and finance.
Each role builds skills that help you take the next step, from making drinks to managing people and budgets.
Training is hands-on and moves quickly: customer service, cash handling, inventory basics, and shift leadership. Benefits like health plans, stock bonuses, and tuition support often improve with tenure, so career perks can grow with time and effort.
For salary info and application steps, consult resources like Starbucks Jobs: See Salaries and How to Apply to get concrete numbers and tips.
Training and promotion from barista to manager
Barista training covers drink recipes, speed, and safety. As you progress, you’ll add cash handling, opening/closing duties, and shift planning.
Expect checklists, quick quizzes, and hands-on practice with a mentor. Promotion comes from showing leadership and consistency: run clean shifts, help teammates, and show up reliably.
Many partners move to shift supervisor within months and to store manager in a year or two with proven performance.
Corporate and store-level career options
Store-level work focuses on people and daily operations — customer care, scheduling, inventory, and quick decisions.
Corporate roles cover product launches, supply chains, HR policies, and more. To move from store to corporate, collect examples of projects you led, results delivered, and cross-store work you supported.
Internal postings and mentorship make that jump realistic.
Qualifications and Starbucks job requirements for advancement
Basic requirements: meet minimum legal working age, reliable availability, ability to lift 30–50 pounds, and strong people skills.
For supervisory and manager roles you’ll need supervisory experience or a strong performance record, food safety or cash-handling knowledge, and willingness to work varied hours.
Corporate jobs often ask for a degree or relevant experience, clear background checks, and strong communication skills.
Summary — Starbucks Jobs: See Salaries and How to Apply
Starbucks Jobs: See Salaries and How to Apply gives a clear look at pay ranges, how location and experience affect salaries, the application steps, interview tips, and the benefits that increase total compensation.
Use the Starbucks careers site, prepare examples of customer service and teamwork, and weigh base pay plus benefits like Bean Stock and tuition support when comparing offers.
Follow the steps here to apply confidently and grow your career at Starbucks.

