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Barista Jobs in Ruston, LA (NOW HIRING)

Barista

Ruston, LA · On-site

$7.25 - $12/hr

Job Summary The barista is responsible for being the master craftsman of all beverage and food items offered by PJ's Coffee. They are responsible for developing a positive environment for both ...

Barista - LA Tech

Ruston, LA

$12.25 - $14.25/hr

Here's your chance to do just that, in a role with unlimited career growth and opportunities! We're hiring full-time Baristas to be the perfect blend to our team. You'll prepare specialty drinks ...

Barista - LA Tech

Ruston, LA · On-site

$12.25 - $14.25/hr

Here's your chance to do just that, in a role with unlimited career growth and opportunities! We're hiring full-time Baristas to be the perfect blend to our team. You'll prepare specialty drinks ...

Barista - LA Tech

Ruston, LA · On-site

$12.25 - $14.25/hr

Here's your chance to do just that, in a role with unlimited career growth and opportunities! We're hiring full-time Baristas to be the perfect blend to our team. You'll prepare specialty drinks ...

Barista

Ruston, LA · On-site

$12.25 - $14.25/hr

Our mission is to "Inspire a community of kindness through a revolutionary coffee experience," and the Brewistas of our Brew Crew are the valuable individuals who execute that mission daily.

Barista information

See Ruston, LA salary details

$6

$12

$15

How much do barista jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for barista in Ruston, LA is $12.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.83 and $13.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a barista, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Barista, you need knowledge of coffee preparation, beverage recipes, and basic food safety, often supported by on-the-job training or barista certifications. Familiarity with espresso machines, grinders, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and cleaning equipment is essential. Excellent customer service, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask are important soft skills in this role. These skills ensure efficient service, high-quality beverages, and a positive customer experience in a fast-paced café environment.

What does a barista do?

A barista is a person who prepares and serves coffee and other beverages, typically in a coffee shop or café. Their responsibilities include grinding coffee beans, brewing espresso and coffee drinks, steaming milk, and creating specialty beverages. Baristas also maintain cleanliness in the work area, operate cash registers, and provide excellent customer service. Additionally, they may be responsible for restocking supplies and sometimes preparing light food items. The role requires attention to detail, knowledge of coffee varieties, and strong communication skills.

What are some common challenges baristas face during busy shifts and how can they manage them effectively?

During peak hours, baristas often juggle multiple drink orders, maintain equipment, and provide friendly customer service—all while working quickly and accurately. Managing these challenges requires strong multitasking skills, clear communication with teammates, and staying organized behind the counter. Many baristas find it helpful to memorize recipes, anticipate customer needs, and support coworkers to ensure smooth workflow and minimize stress during rush periods.

What is the difference between Barista vs Waitstaff?

AspectBaristaWaitstaff
CredentialsMinimal; often no formal certification neededMinimal; no formal certification typically required
Work EnvironmentCoffee shops, cafesRestaurants, cafes, dining establishments
Industry UsageFood service, hospitalityFood service, hospitality
Job FocusPreparing coffee, customer service at the counterServing food and drinks, customer interaction at tables

While both roles involve customer service in food and beverage settings, a Barista primarily focuses on preparing coffee and beverages in cafes, whereas a Waitstaff serves food and drinks at tables in restaurants. The skills and work environments overlap, but their specific duties and settings differ.

Do baristas make good money?

Baristas typically earn an hourly wage that varies by location and experience, with many earning around minimum wage or slightly above. Tips can significantly increase total earnings, especially in busy or high-end establishments. Overall, barista pay is generally considered modest and often supplemented by tips and benefits.

What is the job of a barista?

A barista prepares and serves coffee, tea, and other beverages in a coffee shop or café setting. They often take customer orders, operate coffee-making equipment, and maintain cleanliness and organization in the workspace. Good customer service skills and knowledge of drink recipes are important for this role.

Which barista job pays the most?

The highest-paying barista jobs are often found in upscale or specialty coffee shops, luxury hotels, or high-volume cafes in affluent areas. These positions may offer higher wages due to experience requirements, tips, or additional responsibilities such as training or management. Generally, baristas with advanced skills, certifications, or supervisory roles tend to earn more than entry-level positions.

What job categories do people searching Barista jobs in Ruston, LA look for?

The top searched job categories for Barista jobs in Ruston, LA are:

What cities near Ruston, LA are hiring for Barista jobs?

Cities near Ruston, LA with the most Barista job openings:

Infographic showing various Barista job openings in Ruston, LA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $26,108 per year, or $12.6 per hour.

$7.25 - $12/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


PJ's Coffee rating

4.5

Company rating: 4.5 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Benefits/Perks
  • Ongoing Management and leadership training opportunities
  • Employee retail and shift discounts
  • Prize opportunities through national contests
  • Local, regional, and national awards and recognition

About PJ's Coffee
Phyllis Jordan, a pioneer in the coffee industry, founded PJ's Coffee of New Orleans in 1978 and demonstrated that better beans, superior roasting techniques, and pure passion for the art of coffeemaking mattered. In 2008, the company was purchased by New Orleans natives and brothers, Paul, Steven, and Scott Ballard. PJ's Coffee serves a wide variety of hot, iced, and frozen coffee beverages using only the top 1% of Arabica beans, as well as organic tea and fresh breakfast pastries. PJ's Original Cold Brew™ Ice Coffee is brewed daily using a special cold-drip process that protects the flavor and strength of the beans while producing a coffee that is two-thirds less acidic - a process and technique developed by its founder and used for more than 40 years at all PJ's locations. Bags of whole bean coffee and single-serve cups of PJ's Coffee are available for sale in-store and online. With more than 145 operating stores, including four international locations, PJ's Coffee continues to grow in the U.S. and abroad. For more information, visit pjscoffee.com or follow PJ's Coffee on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Job Summary
The barista is responsible for being the master craftsman of all beverage and food items offered by PJ's Coffee. They are responsible for developing a positive environment for both customers and fellow staff members, all while providing consistently fast, efficient, and friendly service to all. The barista is responsible for the reputation and integrity of the PJ's brand and of the specific store in which they are employed. The barista must exude impeccable customer service qualities, product knowledge, and education, encouraging safe work practices, and a demonstrated commitment to the core values and principles of PJ's Coffee. More importantly, a person in this role must be dedicated to the success of their growth within the company and enter the company with the intent to grow and move into larger roles.
Responsibilities
  • Present a positive image of PJ's customers and coworkers
  • Proactively suggest new beverages, drink enhancements, snacks, and pastries, to improve the overall experience and knowledge of customers.
  • Prepare all beverages and food to meet PJ's Coffee specifications and customer satisfaction.
  • Ensure that the store offers excellent customer service as it pertains to the operation of the staff and the physical upkeep of the store.
  • Follow cash handling procedures accurately
  • Ensure the interior and exterior of a store meet sanitary, safety, and aesthetic requirements by maintaining daily shift checklists and par levels.
  • Alert management to operational needs, equipment failure, and necessary improvements that are needed
  • Enforce and abide by company policies, procedures, and safety rules
  • Attend training sessions designed to increase coffee knowledge and work skills and apply that knowledge to operations

Qualifications
  • Barista experience is Ok, but not required! You will be trained in the PJ's ways of serving the best cup of coffee in town!
  • Outgoing and engaging personality
  • Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
  • Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced, team environment
  • Must be 17 or older
  • Must pass a drug screen

Compensation: $7.25 - $12.00 per hour
PJ's Coffee of New Orleans was founded in 1978 by Phyllis Jordan, a pioneer in the coffee industry who embraced high-quality beans, superior roasting methods, and a pure passion for the art of coffee making. Today, PJ's Coffee is recognized for harvesting, roasting,and personally crafting gourmet drinks using only the top 1% of Arabica beans and delicious organic tea. In addition, our selection of fresh breakfast pastries and hot breakfast sandwiches makes for the perfect beverage pairing.
PJ's Coffee carries a complete line of espresso-based beverages, flavored coffee, and award-winning Original Cold BrewTM Iced Coffee. PJ's Coffee is committed to bringing our customers the freshest coffee possible, while developing programs to ensure quality of life is improved through community initiatives and by supporting local school programs.

What PJ's Coffee employees say

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