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Roaster Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Associate Roaster

San Rafael, CA · On-site

$23 - $26/hr

Associate Roaster CLASSIFICATION : Non-Exempt REPORTS TO: Warehouse Compliance Manager COMPENSATION: $23.00 to $26.00/HOUR About Equator In 1995, Equator Founders Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell ...

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 ...

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 ...

DOE Do you have a passion for roasting and want to roast the finest coffee Californias Central Valley has to offer? We are looking for an experienced-level roasting position to join our team at our ...

Weekend Production Roaster

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$18 - $21.75/hr

Production Roaster DEPARTMENT: Roastery DOL STATUS: CLASSIFICATION: Part Time Non-Exempt (gets OT pay) SCHEDULE: Saturday and Sunday 6 AM- 2:30 PM / 2:30 PM-11 PM LOCATION: North Hollywood, CA ...

Weekend Production Roaster

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$18 - $21.75/hr

Production Roaster DEPARTMENT: Roastery DOL STATUS: CLASSIFICATION: Part Time Non-Exempt (gets OT pay) SCHEDULE: Saturday and Sunday 6 AM- 2:30 PM / 2:30 PM-11 PM LOCATION: North Hollywood, CA ...

* Assistant Coffee Roaster & Production

Clovis, CA · On-site

$16 - $20.50/hr

Assistant Coffee Roaster & Production Part Time up to 25 hours per week At Kuppa Joy, our Mission is to Love God, Love People, Love Coffee. Our passion is to see everyone who walks through our doors ...

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Roaster information

See California salary details

$13

$22

$28

How much do roaster jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for roaster in California is $22.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.90 and $24.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical day look like for a Roaster, and how do they work with other team members?

A typical day for a Roaster involves preparing and operating roasting equipment, monitoring roast profiles for consistency, conducting quality checks, and recording production data. Roasters often collaborate closely with green coffee buyers, production staff, and quality control personnel to ensure every batch meets company standards. Communication and teamwork are essential as the Roaster must adjust roast schedules based on demand and feedback. Additionally, Roasters may participate in cuppings and ongoing training to refine their skills and stay updated with industry trends. The role is both hands-on and collaborative, offering opportunities to contribute to product development and the overall success of the coffee program.

What does a roaster do?

A roaster is responsible for roasting coffee beans to develop flavor and aroma, often using specialized equipment like commercial coffee roasters. They monitor roasting times and temperatures, adjust settings as needed, and may also handle quality control and packaging. Skills in sensory evaluation and knowledge of roasting profiles are important in this role.

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

To thrive as a Roaster, you need strong attention to detail, an understanding of roasting profiles, and a keen sense of taste and smell, often achieved through hands-on experience or industry training. Familiarity with roasting machines, quality control systems, and, in some cases, certifications such as Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) credentials are valuable. Excellent time management, adaptability, and teamwork skills help Roasters maintain consistency and collaborate with other staff. These skills are vital for producing high-quality products, maintaining safety, and meeting customer expectations in a fast-paced environment.

What is a Roaster job?

A Roaster is responsible for roasting coffee beans, cocoa, or other food products to achieve desired flavors and qualities. They operate and monitor roasting equipment, adjust temperature and time settings, and ensure consistency in roast profiles. Roasters also inspect raw materials, perform quality control checks, and may package the final product. Attention to detail and an understanding of roasting techniques are essential for achieving the best results.

Can you make money as a coffee roaster?

Coffee roasters can earn income through selling roasted beans to cafes, retailers, or directly to consumers, with earnings varying based on experience, scale, and market demand. Successful roasters often develop skills in quality control, branding, and business management to increase profitability. Entry-level positions may offer lower wages, while experienced or entrepreneurial roasters can generate higher income through their own operations.

What is a roaster job description?

A roaster is responsible for preparing and roasting coffee beans to develop desired flavors and qualities. The role involves operating roasting equipment, monitoring temperature and time, and ensuring quality control. Skills in sensory evaluation and knowledge of roasting techniques are essential for this position.

How to become a roaster?

To become a coffee roaster, gain experience in coffee preparation and roasting techniques, often through entry-level positions or apprenticeships. Developing skills with roasting equipment and understanding coffee beans' characteristics is essential, and some may pursue certifications from industry organizations to enhance credibility.
What are the most commonly searched types of Roaster jobs in California? The most popular types of Roaster jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Roaster jobs in California? For Roaster jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Roaster jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Roaster jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Roaster jobs? Cities in California with the most Roaster job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Roaster jobs in CA? For Roaster jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Roaster job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,809 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Production Roaster

Roastery - Equator Coffees

San Rafael, CA

$23 - $25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

POSITION:  Production Roaster

CLASSIFICATION​:  Non-Exempt 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:  Head Roaster & Quality Assurance Manager

COMPENSATION:
 $23.00 to $25.00/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 certification, Equator Coffees is the first California coffee roaster to achieve B Corp Certification.

Position Summary
As a Production Roaster at Equator Coffees, you will support the daily operations of our Roastery, roasting on our Loring S35 and Loring S70, while maintaining high levels of quality control and safety. The Production Roaster keeps their work area clean while maintaining a pace of work consistent with the needs of our Production Team. We’re seeking a full-time, experienced Roaster with flexible availability, including early morning shifts starting at 5:00 AM and Sunday coverage.

Key Responsibilities
  • Understand Pre-Operational procedures
  • Accurately roast to profile 3 batches per hour
  • Organize, move, and maintain green coffee inventory.
  • Learn and adhere to Equator’s food safety and hygiene standards.
  • Observe and assist with production roasting on Loring and other systems.
  • Support roastery cleanliness and help with daily cleaning tasks.
  • Perform daily and weekly maintenance on all roasting equipment
  • Assist in the preparation of post-roast blending and packaging.
  • Participate in roastery "huddles" to understand daily schedules, goals, and workflow adjustments.
  • Log roast data including, but not limited to, weight loss and ColorTrack data.
  • Fill, seal, strap and wrap SuperSacks for bulk orders.
  • Participate in Quality Control exercises such as cupping
Qualifications and Requirements 
  • At least 1 year of professional production roasting experience preferred.
  • Experience roasting on Loring roasters is a plus.
  • Ability to work well in a team environment.
  • Strong attention to detail and a willingness to learn new skills.
  • Ability to follow directions and adhere to company policies and procedures.
  • Basic math and computer skills.
  • Capable of lifting, pushing, and pulling 25 to 70 pounds, and can repeatedly co-lift or move up to 150 pounds with mechanical assistance.
  • Familiarity with fulfillment, shipping, receiving, and general warehouse work is a plus.
  • Experience with Espresso and Quality Control is not required, but will make a candidate stand out.
Physical Requirements
The physical tasks described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. The Roastery is not a climate-controlled environment. It will be hot in the Summer and cold in the Winter.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and read. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position is active and requires standing (or being on your feet for up to 8 hours at a time), walking, bending, stooping, climbing (ladders), and crouching throughout the shift, lifting product and packaging above the head. The employee must frequently lift or move items weighing 25 - 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus—finger & wrist dexterity.

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 it if you used the video answer feature for our screening questions. It’s a great way for us to get a better sense of your roasting experience and how comfortable you are talking about it. 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.