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Coffee Roaster Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Barista

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$18.75/hr

Possessing an obsessive commitment to green coffee sourcing and unparalleled roasting expertise, Equator has committed over 30 years to sustainable and fair trade coffee practices all in the name of ...

Barista - Sonoma

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Sonoma

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Cotati

Cotati, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Petaluma

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Hamilton

Novato, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Novato

Novato, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Cotati

Cotati, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - N. Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Petaluma

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Hamilton

Novato, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Napa

Napa, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Novato

Novato, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - N. Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Napa

Napa, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

Barista - Washington Square

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $20.75/hr

Free coffee/tea beverages and fresh baked goods as well as an employee discount. * 401k with generous matching (must be 18 years old to qualify for 401k). * Employee Assistance program including ...

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Coffee Roaster information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$14

$22

$31

How much do coffee roaster jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for coffee roaster in Santa Rosa, CA is $22.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.95 and $23.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a coffee roaster?

As a coffee roaster, you roast dried coffee beans for sale to retail stores, coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants. Your responsibilities include acquiring coffee beans from around the world and roasting them to obtain different taste profiles. Your job duties may include negotiating with coffee bean wholesalers or coffee farmers, roasting coffee beans, experimenting with roast levels, aroma, grind, and flavors. You can find coffee roaster jobs with specialty coffee roasting businesses as well as with big name coffee brands.

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

To thrive as a Coffee Roaster, you need a solid understanding of coffee bean varieties, roasting techniques, and quality control, often gained through hands-on experience or specialized training. Familiarity with commercial roasting machines, cupping protocols, and inventory management systems is typically required. Attention to detail, sensory acuity, and strong communication skills help in maintaining consistency and collaborating with team members. These skills ensure the production of high-quality coffee, efficient operations, and satisfaction for both customers and business partners.

What does a coffee roaster do?

A coffee roaster is responsible for transforming green coffee beans into roasted coffee products by carefully applying heat in a roasting machine. They monitor and control roasting time, temperature, and airflow to achieve desired flavor profiles and aromas. Coffee roasters also evaluate roasted beans for quality, consistency, and taste, often working closely with suppliers and customers to select and develop unique blends. This role requires knowledge of roasting processes, bean origins, and cupping techniques to produce high-quality coffee.

What are some common challenges faced by coffee roasters in maintaining bean quality and consistency?

Coffee roasters often encounter challenges such as sourcing beans of consistent quality, adapting to seasonal variations, and fine-tuning roasting profiles to achieve the desired flavor. Maintaining consistency across different batches is critical, as factors like humidity, bean density, and even equipment maintenance can impact the final product. Collaboration with quality control teams and staying up-to-date with industry best practices are essential to address these challenges and ensure a high-quality cup for customers.

What is the difference between Coffee Roaster vs Barista?

AspectCoffee RoasterBarista
CredentialsBasic coffee knowledge, sometimes certifications in roastingCustomer service skills, barista training, coffee brewing certifications
Work EnvironmentRoasting facilities, production areasCoffee shops, cafes, retail environments
Industry UsageManufacturing, coffee productionCustomer-facing, retail coffee service

While both roles involve working with coffee, a Coffee Roaster focuses on the roasting process in production settings, developing flavor profiles and managing roasting equipment. A Barista, on the other hand, prepares coffee beverages for customers in retail environments, emphasizing brewing techniques and customer service. Both roles require coffee knowledge but serve different parts of the coffee industry.

Do coffee roasters make money?

Coffee roasters can earn varying incomes depending on their experience, location, and business size. Professional roasters working for companies or owning their own roasting facilities typically earn a salary or profit, with skilled roasters often making a competitive wage. Income may also be influenced by additional skills such as quality control and equipment operation.

How much do coffee roasters get paid?

Coffee roasters typically earn between $12 and $20 per hour, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $25,000 to $45,000 depending on experience, location, and skill level. Experienced roasters with certifications or specialized knowledge may earn higher wages, especially in specialty coffee shops or larger operations.

What are popular job titles related to Coffee Roaster jobs in Santa Rosa, CA?

For Coffee Roaster jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Coffee Roaster jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Coffee Roaster jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:

What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Coffee Roaster jobs?

Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Coffee Roaster job openings:

Infographic showing various Coffee Roaster job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, and 41% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,394 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Barista

Equator Coffees

Sonoma, CA • On-site

$18.75/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Provide consistent quality beverages and food to customers.

  • Communicate product information and respond to customer questions and concerns.

  • Maintain cleanliness of the café environment and properly handle all coffee and food equipment.


Job description

POSITION:  Barista - Retail Cafe - Sonoma

CLASSIFICATION:  Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO:  Café General Manager
COMPENSATION: $18.75/HOUR

About Equator
In 1995, Equator Founders Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell began their values-driven path, roasting coffee in a Marin County, CA garage. Possessing an obsessive commitment to green coffee sourcing and unparalleled roasting expertise, Equator has committed over 30 years to sustainable and fair trade coffee practices all in the name of creating a remarkable coffee experience for consumers. Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with twelve retail cafes throughout California—from Marin County to San Francisco to Oakland to Los Angeles and beyond. Throughout the years, Equator Coffees has spearheaded industry-leading sourcing and roasting practices, and has forged progressive partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs, specialty grocers, tech campuses, and more. Women-owned, LGBTQ-founded, and an early adopter of Fair Trade and Regenerative Organic certifications, Equator Coffees is the first California coffee roaster to achieve B Corp Certification.

Position Summary
The Barista is all about hospitality! You want and aspire to provide a memorable experience to each and every person who visits our cafes. You are kind and welcoming to those you work with and serve, act with integrity and respect, work to create a safe, clean, and healthy work environment, provide quality beverages and food consistently, and share your knowledge and passion for our coffees.

Key Responsibilities 
  • Have a passion for our coffee and share knowledge with customers
  • Committed to providing consistent quality beverages and food
  • Confidently and accurately communicate product information to customers by responding to questions, orders, and concerns
  • Maintain a clean environment including the cleaning of the back of house, bar areas, café lobbies, and patios to contribute to a healthy environment for customers and employees
  • Properly handle and maintain all coffee and food equipment
  • Contribute to store profitability by following cash handling and cash register policies and procedures
  • Assist in the training and development of new employees
  • Work at different stations in the café
  • Follow all company policies, procedures, and processes and share ideas to make it better
  • Attend all individual and company scheduled training sessions and staff meetings to constantly advance education and stay up to date on coffee, tea, merchandise, espresso bar skills, and seasonal menu changes
Qualifications and Requirements
  • Must maintain current state-issued Food Handler Card
  • Retail and/or customer service experience required
  • Coffee experience preferred
  • Ability to make the customer a priority 
  • Is hospitable and inclusive with all customers and is a team player with co-workers
  • Demonstrates passion and curiosity for coffee and tea
  • Builds ongoing connections with the customer
  • Able to multi-task and deal with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to communicate effectively with others
  • Respectful and professional
  • Cash handling skills
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
  • The hours can be part-time/full-time based on availability and can increase and decrease due to the needs of the business
  • Must be 16 years of age or older
Compensation
  • Available to all employees
    • Commuter Benefits - pre-tax parking and transit
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Physical and mental health, financial and legal coaching available at no cost to the employee 
    • Free mental health app subscription
    • Employee discount on merchandise, coffee gear, and at Equator cafes
    • Continuing coffee education classes
    • Free coffee
    • Paid Time Off for voting on Election Day
  • After 60 days as an employee at Equator
    • Healthcare Benefits (for full-time employees working over 30 hours per week)
      • 100% employer-covered premium medical insurance 
      • Voluntary Insurance Plans - dental, vision, long-term disability, pet, and supplementary life insurance
      • Employer covered life insurance premium
      • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - healthcare and daily dependent care
  • After 90 days as an employee at Equator
    • Holiday Pay after 90 days of employment. Eight Equator-observed holidays per year
    • Paid Time Off with tenured increases for full-time employees
    • 1 paid volunteer day per year 
  • After six months as an employee at Equator
    • 401K with up to a 4% company match on employee contributions

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

We’d love for you to use the video answer feature for our screening questions! It’s a great way for us to get a better sense of your experience and how comfortable you are discussing your skills. Plus, it helps us see your personality and passion for the role!

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. Job responsibilities can change according to the operational needs of the business. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. 

Equator Coffees is an equal-opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, and discharge will be based on competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.