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Roasters Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Highwire Coffee Roasters

Lead Roaster

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$25 - $32/hr

Highwire Coffee Roasters was established in Oakland In 2011. Since the beginning, Highwire has sought to offer coffees and create spaces that exhibit what we call "Approachable Excellence". We ...

Highwire Coffee Roasters

Lead Roaster

Emeryville, CA

$25 - $32/hr

Highwire Coffee Roasters was established in Oakland In 2011. Since the beginning, Highwire has sought to offer coffees and create spaces that exhibit what we call "Approachable Excellence". We ...

Coldfire Roaster LLC

Roaster

Houston, TX · On-site

Coffee Roaster Location: ColdFire Coffee Roaster- 2750 Fort Royal Drive, Suite B, Houston, Texas 77038 Reports To: Plant Manager / Head Roaster Industry: Specialty Coffee Roasting Position Summary We ...

Coldfire Roaster LLC

Roaster Assistant

Houston, TX · On-site

Maintain clean workspaces and help with routine cleaning of roasters, cooling trays, destoners, and production areas. * Help track inventory of green and roasted coffee and report discrepancies to ...

Summer Moon Coffee Roasters

Be Seen First

Roasting Support Associate

Driftwood, TX · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Roasting Support Associate - Southwest Austin Area Coffee Unplugged LLC Roasting Support Associate At Coffee Unplugged, our wood-fired coffee roasting process creates smooth, robust flavors that ...

Farmer Brothers

Roaster

Portland, OR

At Farmer Brothers, Coffee Roasters are responsible for preparing large batches of green coffee beans for the roasting process, maintaining roasting and grinding equipment, and supporting daily ...

FARMER BROS CO

Roaster

Portland, OR · On-site

At Farmer Brothers, Coffee Roasters are responsible for preparing large batches of green coffee beans for the roasting process, maintaining roasting and grinding equipment, and supporting daily ...

Peet's Coffee

Roaster Trainee

Alameda, CA · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

The Roaster Trainee is a full-time, non-exempt position. What You Will Do: * Roaster trainee will learn basic operations of the GHS (Green Handling System) system and Microsoft Dynamics D365 ...

Kuppa Joy

* Head Coffee Roaster

Clovis, CA · On-site

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 ...

IDYLL CORPORATION

Head Coffee Roaster

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

... Roasters. The Head Coffee Roaster will be responsible for roasting high-quality specialty coffee beans to precise specifications & profiles, ensuring consistency, flavor, and excellence in every ...

IDYLL CORPORATION

Head Coffee Roaster

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

... Roasters. The Head Coffee Roaster will be responsible for roasting high-quality specialty coffee beans to precise specifications & profiles, ensuring consistency, flavor, and excellence in every ...

Stonewall Kitchen LLC

Roaster

Middlebury, VT · On-site

$23/hr

Job Type Full-time Description The Roaster operates roasting and material-handling equipment to meet daily production requirements while maintaining quality, safety, and traceability standards. This ...

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Roasters information

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How much do roasters jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for roasters in the United States is $19.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Roaster, you need a solid understanding of coffee bean varieties, roasting processes, and quality control, often gained through hands-on experience or specialized training. Familiarity with commercial roasting machines, cupping protocols, and inventory management systems is highly beneficial. Attention to detail, sensory acuity, and strong organizational skills help a Roaster consistently produce high-quality coffee. These skills are essential to ensure consistency in flavor profiles, maintain product standards, and contribute to the overall reputation of the coffee business.

What is the difference between Roasters vs Baristas?

AspectRoastersBaristas
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 production companiesRetail coffee shops, cafes
Common Search IntentLearning about coffee roasting, career in roastingOrdering coffee, barista skills, cafe jobs

While both roles are integral to the coffee industry, roasters focus on the production and roasting of coffee beans, requiring technical skills and knowledge of roasting equipment. Baristas, on the other hand, prepare and serve coffee beverages directly to customers, emphasizing customer service and brewing techniques. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right role aligned with their skills and career goals.

What are some common challenges roasters face when maintaining consistency in coffee quality, and how can they overcome them?

Roasters often encounter challenges in maintaining consistent coffee quality due to variables such as bean origin, moisture content, and changes in weather or equipment performance. To overcome these, many roasters rely on meticulous record-keeping, regular cuppings, and calibration of roasting equipment. Collaborating closely with sourcing and quality control teams also helps ensure a repeatable process and quick adjustments when needed. Embracing ongoing training and staying updated with industry best practices further supports consistency in the end product.

Where do baristas get paid the most?

Baristas tend to earn the highest wages in regions with a higher cost of living and in specialty coffee shops that value experience and skills. Larger urban areas and upscale cafes often offer better pay, especially for those with advanced training or certifications. Compensation can also vary based on the employer and local minimum wage laws.

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.

How old do you have to be to work at Roasters?

To work as a roaster, most employers require applicants to be at least 16 years old, with some positions possibly requiring a minimum age of 18. Additionally, candidates may need to have basic knowledge of coffee roasting equipment and safety procedures. Age requirements can vary by location and employer policies.

What are roasters and what do they do?

Roasters are professionals responsible for roasting coffee beans to develop their flavor, aroma, and overall quality. They operate specialized roasting equipment, monitor temperature and timing, and adjust the process to achieve specific taste profiles. Roasters often work closely with coffee producers and buyers to ensure consistent quality. Their expertise is key in transforming green coffee beans into the rich, flavorful coffee enjoyed by consumers. In addition to technical skills, roasters need a good palate and understanding of coffee origins.

How to become a roaster?

To become a coffee roaster, you typically need experience in coffee brewing and roasting, which can be gained through training programs, apprenticeships, or on-the-job learning. Knowledge of roasting equipment, sensory skills to evaluate coffee quality, and understanding of roasting profiles are essential. Some employers prefer candidates with related culinary or food science backgrounds and may require certifications in coffee roasting or quality control.
More about Roasters jobs
What cities are hiring for Roasters jobs? Cities with the most Roasters job openings:
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Roasters jobs near you
Infographic showing various Roasters job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $41,082 per year, or $19.8 per hour.
Lead Roaster

Lead Roaster

Highwire Coffee Roasters

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$25 - $32/hr

Full-time

Medical, Vision

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Highwire Coffee Roasters was established in Oakland In 2011. Since the beginning, Highwire has sought to offer coffees and create spaces that exhibit what we call “Approachable Excellence”. We explicitly aim to serve some of the best coffee in the world while centering our communities in a welcoming, non-fussy way. We have since expanded from our first shop to include 8 retail locations in the East Bay. We are looking to bring an experienced, full-time Lead Roaster onto our team to oversee daily roasting operations in our Emeryville Roastery.

Reporting to the Director of Coffee, the primary responsibilities of the Lead Roaster will include roasting, quality control, inventory management, and mentorship of apprentice roasting staff. The best candidate for this position will be an experienced coffee roaster with an unflappably positive attitude and a keen sense of how to coax the best expression of a coffee through the roasting process, exhibiting the completeness and balance Highwire is known for.

Additional duties will include:

  • Understand all start-of-day procedures for collecting orders and create a production roast list
  • Manage our in-house green coffee inventory, including forecasting and releases
  • Update blend recipes and communicate changes to staff
  • Share relevant roast and other coffee info with retail staff to increase their visibility to roasting and understanding of our coffees
  • Comment on espresso dial-ins and Coffee of the Week posts to increase dialog and understanding
  • Scoop, weigh, and lift green coffee into the roaster, and roasted coffee out of the roaster
  • Maintain all roasting equipment using weekly, monthly and yearly checklists
  • Maintain and create SOP documentation for all roasting related tasks
  • Ensure quality control through daily cupping of production roasts with roastery staff
  • Maintain all necessary logs for Organic Certification
  • Maintain all logs for Bay Area Air Quality compliance
  • Data log all roasts through Cropster and adhere to roast recipes 
  • Fill in on production duties as needed
  • Maintain a clean and safe working environment
  • Unload weekly coffee deliveries and organize pallets in the roastery
  • Participate in weekly roastery staff meeting
  • Take constructive criticism about the roasting process
  • Provide constructive feedback to others and collaborate around solving issues
  • Aim to create and support a positive work environment at all times

Experience:

  • 5+ years production roasting experience (preferably on Probat UG-22)
  • Functional knowledge of Cropster
  • You know how to cup and are comfortable talking about your sensory experience
  • Sample roasting experience is a plus
  • Experience with Google Docs and Shopify are desirable
  • Though this position is not expected to manage other team members, you are expected to share your knowledge and experience, mentoring new roastery staff

Based on experience, this position is offered at an hourly rate between $25.00 and $32.00.

In addition to monetary compensation, Highwire’s benefits package includes opportunities for 70% subsidized medical and vision insurance.  

Robert Myers and Rich Avella first met in the mid-1990s and share an approach to coffee we call \approachable excellence\.
Our shops are welcoming spaces where we connect around our enthusiasm for coffee, our communities, and our love of music. Our coffees are always the freshest green coffees available in any season and we roast them along a roast spectrum that captures the range of coffee lovers' tastes from lighter, bright Single Origins, to the deeper chocolatey body-forward coffees typical of a darker roasted coffee.