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Specialty Coffee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We're looking for a lead for our specialty coffee/ beverage service who has a passion to learn about our outstanding beans and proprietary roasting process and who will educate and inspire The Fresh ...

Experience in a high-volume or specialty coffee environment. * A positive attitude, strong sense of humor, and ability to contribute to a fun, team-oriented culture. * Passion for hospitality and a ...

Specialty Coffee Barista

Rye, NY · On-site

$17 - $19/hr

Experience in a high-volume or specialty coffee environment. * A positive attitude, strong sense of humor, and ability to contribute to a fun, team-oriented culture. * Passion for hospitality and a ...

Experience in a high-volume or specialty coffee environment. * A positive attitude, strong sense of humor, and ability to contribute to a fun, team-oriented culture. * Passion for hospitality and a ...

Specialty Coffee Barista

Carmel, IN · On-site

$12 - $14/hr

As a Barista, you will be the face of our coffee shop, responsible for creating exceptional coffee beverages and providing outstanding customer service. Your role will involve preparing drinks and ...

Experience in a high-volume or specialty coffee environment. * A positive attitude, strong sense of humor, and ability to contribute to a fun, team-oriented culture. * Passion for hospitality and a ...

Specialty Coffee Barista

Miami, FL · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Experience in a high-volume or specialty coffee environment. * A positive attitude, strong sense of humor, and ability to contribute to a fun, team-oriented culture. * Passion for hospitality and a ...

Specialty Coffee Barista

Miami, FL · On-site

$15 - $16/hr

Experience in a high-volume or specialty coffee environment. * A positive attitude, strong sense of humor, and ability to contribute to a fun, team-oriented culture. * Passion for hospitality and a ...

Showing results 21-40

Specialty Coffee information

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$9

$21

$43

How much do specialty coffee jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for specialty coffee 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 specialty coffee?

Specialty coffee refers to coffee that has been graded 80 points or above on a 100-point scale by a certified coffee taster or Q Grader. This type of coffee is distinguished by its high quality, unique flavor profiles, and traceability from farm to cup. Specialty coffee is typically sourced from specific regions and farms, emphasizing sustainable practices and direct relationships with producers. The entire process, from cultivation to brewing, is carefully managed to ensure the best possible taste experience.

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

To thrive as a Specialty Coffee Barista, you need strong knowledge of coffee origins, brewing techniques, and espresso preparation, often supported by hands-on training or industry certifications. Familiarity with commercial espresso machines, grinders, and brewing equipment, as well as certifications like SCA Barista Skills, is highly valued. Excellent customer service, attention to detail, and a passion for continuous learning set standout baristas apart. These skills are essential to deliver consistently high-quality beverages, foster customer loyalty, and uphold the standards of specialty coffee establishments.

What are some common challenges faced by baristas working in specialty coffee shops, and how can they be overcome?

Baristas in specialty coffee shops often face challenges such as mastering complex brewing techniques, maintaining consistency in drink quality, and managing busy periods with high customer expectations. To overcome these, it's important to invest time in hands-on training, seek feedback from experienced colleagues, and develop strong time management skills. Staying updated on industry trends and participating in regular cuppings or workshops also helps maintain high standards and fosters continuous improvement in both technique and customer service.

What is the difference between Specialty Coffee vs Barista?

AspectSpecialty CoffeeBarista
CredentialsKnowledge of coffee grading, cupping, and brewing techniquesTraining in drink preparation and customer service
Work EnvironmentCoffee farms, roasteries, specialty cafesRetail coffee shops, cafes, restaurants
Industry UsageQuality assessment, sourcing, roastingPreparing and serving coffee beverages

Specialty Coffee professionals focus on quality, sourcing, and roasting, while Baristas primarily prepare and serve coffee drinks. Both roles are essential in the coffee industry but differ in responsibilities and expertise.

More about Specialty Coffee jobs
What cities are hiring for Specialty Coffee jobs? Cities with the most Specialty Coffee job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Specialty Coffee jobs? The most popular types of Specialty Coffee jobs are:
What states have the most Specialty Coffee jobs? States with the most job openings for Specialty Coffee jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Specialty Coffee jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Specialty Coffee jobs are:
Infographic showing various Specialty Coffee job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,347 per year, or $21.3 per hour.

$500/wk

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


The Fresh Market rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 273 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

58th of 122 rated grocery stores


Job description

The Fresh Market & You:

Our mission is to make everyday eating extraordinary for our guests, and we are looking for a new team member who will commit to helping us deliver on this mission.

 
Our added benefits for joining The Fresh Market team

  • Team Member discount of 30% 
  • Early Earn Wage Access (You can access up to 50% (max $500) of your earned wages on-demand per pay period)
  • 401K contribution and company match
  • Financial Wellness Program
  • Personal time off and additional time off purchase plans are available
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance for individual, spouse, partner, and family
  • Discounts on pet insurance, daycare, event tickets, and many more.
About the Position:

Are you guest-service oriented? Are you passionate about coffee, how it is grown, roasted and prepared? If so, this may be the perfect job for you. We’re looking for a manager for our specialty coffee service who has a passion to learn about our outstanding beans and proprietary roasting process and who will educate and inspire The Fresh Market’s guests and team members, delivering the freshest beans and cup of coffee available anywhere. You will be an ideal fit if you’re detail-oriented, motivate and inspire others with your enthusiasm and passion, and work well in teams while building relationships and making our guests your top priority.   You will be cross-trained to work within our food concept, working with team members and product and engaging our guests continuously throughout the day. This is a fast-paced position that requires efficiency and effectiveness and a passion for excellence to drive results. 

What You'll Do:
  • Direct, manage and assist all functions of the coffee service department, and support and assist within the other areas within the concept, including but not limited to smoothies, beer and wine and our biscuit station and demonstrate excellence to our team and guests.  
  • Engage with our guests to learn their flavor preferences so that you can help match their order to what they prefer. 
  • Educate our guests and team members on our proprietary roasting process and each type of coffee bean/blend we offer to ensure they receive the coffee drink they expect or discover a new favorite. 
  • Ensure excellent product is ready for our guests by inspecting our products for proper rotation, cleaning, sanitation procedures, completing reports as necessary 
  • Manage order guides/ordering deadlines to ensure product is in stock 
  • Manage product to reduce shrink/damage  
  • Advise and coordinate with the Kitchen Manager to schedule team members in line with guest shopping patterns. 
  • Trouble-shoot and take partnership to ensure full functionality of all equipment for our coffee experience. 
  • Execute outstanding merchandising of the coffee station ensuring outstanding quality, and visual presentation for our guests and team. 
  • Coach and cross train other team members on the use of equipment, storytelling and engagement with our guests during service. 
  • Provide team members thorough training through The Fresh Market Academy, including “on-the-job” and online training, to provide impeccable guest service in a safe and secure manner while maintaining efficiency and minimizing product loss  
  • Lead, engage, motivate and manage team members to provide

What The Fresh Market employees say

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About Fresh Market

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The Fresh Market is a renowned American chain of gourmet supermarkets based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Established in 1982, the company operates in the retail industry, predominantly specializing in offering superior quality, freshness, and variety of products. Their product catalog includes a variety of fresh food products, gourmet groceries, baked goods, and delicacies, among others. With a mission of "making everyday eating extraordinary," they are committed to providing customers with the freshest and finest quality food. Over the years, The Fresh Market has gained significant recognition in the industry, having successfully established over 150 stores across the United States.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Greensboro, NC, US

Year founded

1982