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Coffee Tasting Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Solid understanding of coffee tasting, brewing, and profile roasting * Experience with production planning and inventory management * Comfort with Google Drive, spreadsheets, and technology

Solid understanding of coffee tasting, brewing, and profile roasting * Experience with production planning and inventory management * Comfort with Google Drive, spreadsheets, and technology

Solid understanding of coffee tasting, brewing, and profile roasting * Experience with production planning and inventory management * Comfort with Google Drive, spreadsheets, and technology

Must like coffee. Tasting is the final process in all repairs. Must be eligible to work in the US . Valid driver's license (of the required class for the jurisdiction) with a clean driving record.

BARISTA

Ithaca, NY · On-site

$16.50 - $17/hr

Stays familiar with coffee tasting notes; tastes coffee frequently and maintains knowledge. Store Operations (Major) * Works in a sanitary manner; practices personal cleanliness, proper handwashing ...

Perform quality control checks, including cupping and tasting, to evaluate roast quality and consistency. * Assist green coffee buyer in selecting and evaluating coffees, as well as developing roast ...

Perform quality control checks, including cupping and tasting, to evaluate roast quality and consistency. * Assist green coffee buyer in selecting and evaluating coffees, as well as developing roast ...

Kitchen Line/Prep

Durham, NC · On-site

$16 - $19/hr

Please note this position prohibits the wearing of perfumes, colognes, or fragrances that may interfere with the coffee tasting experience. All Joe Van Gogh employees are subject to a 90-day ...

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Coffee Tasting information

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How much do coffee tasting jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for coffee tasting in the United States is $21.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a coffee tasting professional called?

A coffee tasting professional is commonly known as a Q Grader or Coffee Taster. These experts evaluate coffee quality through cupping, often requiring certification and sensory skills to assess aroma, flavor, and body. They work in coffee production, quality control, and industry testing environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Coffee Tasting position, and why are they important?

To excel in Coffee Tasting, you need a refined palate, deep knowledge of coffee beans and brewing methods, and often a background in food science or sensory analysis. Familiarity with coffee cupping protocols, SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) certifications, and sensory evaluation tools is highly valued. Excellent attention to detail, strong communication, and keen observational skills help tasters document and articulate complex flavor profiles. These abilities are crucial for maintaining quality standards, guiding product development, and supporting a company’s reputation for excellence.

How much do coffee tasters make?

Coffee tasters, also known as Q graders or sensory analysts, typically earn between $30,000 and $70,000 annually depending on experience, location, and employer. Experienced tasters with certifications and specialized skills can earn higher salaries, especially in specialty coffee companies or quality control roles.

What is a Coffee Tasting job?

A Coffee Tasting job involves evaluating coffee based on aroma, flavor, body, acidity, and aftertaste. Professionals in this role, often called coffee cuppers, assess coffee quality, identify flavor notes, and ensure consistency in production. They may work for coffee roasters, importers, or specialty coffee shops. Strong sensory skills and knowledge of coffee origins, processing, and brewing methods are essential.

What does a typical day look like for a Coffee Taster, and how do they collaborate with other teams?

A typical day for a Coffee Taster can involve performing multiple cupping sessions to evaluate fresh samples, keeping detailed tasting notes, and calibrating their palate with fellow team members. Coffee Tasters often work closely with roasters, quality control specialists, and procurement teams to select beans and improve blends. Regular communication and feedback help ensure consistent product quality and innovation. Collaboration and teamwork are essential as tastings directly inform purchasing decisions and product development within coffee companies.

How to become a coffee taster?

To become a coffee taster, gain experience in coffee cupping and sensory evaluation, often through training programs or certifications such as those offered by the Specialty Coffee Association. Developing a refined palate, knowledge of coffee varieties, and tasting tools are essential for assessing flavor profiles accurately.

What is the 80/20 rule for coffee?

The 80/20 rule for coffee suggests that 80% of the flavor and aroma come from 20% of the beans, often highlighting the importance of selecting high-quality beans and proper roasting. Coffee tasters and professionals focus on these key factors to evaluate and improve the overall quality during tasting and brewing processes.
More about Coffee Tasting jobs
What cities are hiring for Coffee Tasting jobs? Cities with the most Coffee Tasting job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Coffee Tasting jobs? The most popular types of Coffee Tasting jobs are:
What states have the most Coffee Tasting jobs? States with the most job openings for Coffee Tasting jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Coffee Tasting jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Coffee Tasting jobs are:
Infographic showing various Coffee Tasting job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, and 28% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,347 per year, or $21.3 per hour.
* Head Coffee Roaster

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Do you have a passion for roasting and want to roast the finest coffee California's Central Valley has to offer?


We are looking for an experienced-level roasting position to join our team at our warehouse headquarters. This position demands the supervision and daily execution of specialty coffee roasting processes, from the selection of beans to the final quality of the product. You will roast our portfolio of coffee blends in accordance with company standard operating procedures while maintaining cleanliness of the work area throughout the day. While roasting, maintaining accurate and timely documentation for production inventory, and ensuring daily production logs are accurate. The essential qualities of a roaster include, but are not limited to, attention to detail, focus, organized, calm under pressure, team player, and the ability to follow instructions and sequence accurately, while demonstrating commitment to all preventative maintenance and cleaning procedures.


What Will Help You Succeed:

  • 4+ years of roasting experience
  • Experience in defining and adjusting roasting profiles, performing tasting test and maintaining roasting equipment
  • Previous quality assurance/quality control experience
  • Proficiency in Cropster (managing inventory, production, and roast profiles)
  • Strong communication skills (verbal & written)
  • Excellent record-keeping, organization, and self-motivation
  • Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
  • Solid understanding of coffee tasting, brewing, and profile roasting
  • Experience with production planning and inventory management
  • Comfort with Google Drive, spreadsheets, and technology
  • Meticulous attention to detail in repetitive tasks


Requirements:

  • Minimum four years' experience roasting coffee
  • Knowledge of specialty coffee: in-depth understanding of the different origins of coffee beans, production processes and techniques to improve the quality of coffee beans.
  • Quality and Consistency: Ability to ensure consistency and quality in each batch, following strict quality control standards.
  • Communication and Collaboration: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with the team, in addition to collaborating to achieve common goals.
  • Experience operating industrial equipment
  • Problem solve and demonstrate strong personal initiative
  • Flexible with the ability to multi-task in a highly demanding and sometimes stressful environment
  • Ability to obtain a CA food handlers certificate is required
  • Ability to work occasional weekends and holidays
  • This is a full-time position and requires on-site presence.


Physical Requirements:

  • Lift up to 155 lbs (single coffee bag)
  • Push/pull 150-200+ lbs using pallet jacks
  • Stand, walk, sit, stoop, and kneel for extended periods
  • Able to bend, reach, squat, kneel, twist, push, pull and perform repetitive motions
  • Successfully follow all company safety policies and procedures
  • Work in a warehouse environment (cold in winter, hot in summer)


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead team on all coffee and cold brew production and ensure company's superior quality is represented in every product and all services
  • Coordinate with team on quality control practices for all coffee roasted and cold brew produced, approving quality of each batch before leaving warehouse
  • Oversee prep, organization, and fulfillment of all coffee bags to meet needs of daily cafe and online orders along with shipping and delivery of orders
  • Manage and prepare cuppings for internal and external quality control
  • Actively implementing systematic improvements alongside Owner and Director of Operations to contribute to supply chain needs and production performance
  • Fully understand and execute all safety, quality, and sanitation policies and procedures and maintain cleanliness & organization of roastery, warehouse, and office spaces
  • Assists in receiving, and put away of all incoming orders as necessary
  • Aid in maintaining roaster and all production machines functionality, executing necessary maintenance when needed
  • Always seeking to improve team's level of roasting knowledge and consistency by collaboration, education, and testing of methods
  • Work with Owner/COO/Director of Operations in executing schedule of coffee rollouts and bean transitions, maintaining communication on inventory levels and new arrivals
  • Direct roasters on necessary changes in production and roasting practices due to seasonal changes in weather and order fluctuations
  • Responsibilities include sourcing coffee, defining roasting profiles, performing tasting tests, maintaining roasting equipment and ensuring the consistency of the roasts


Thank you for your interest in joining Kuppa Joy!

Our hiring team can take up to 4-6 weeks to send a follow up due to the high volume of applications we receive. Please be patient with us. We will reach out to those we are interested in interviewing with the next steps.


Warmly,
The Kuppa Joy Hiring Team


We are an equal opportunity employer. If employed, this becomes part of your permanent record. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal laws. Employment with our company is at will. All questions must be answered and an application signed to be considered for employment.