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Why Are Barista Salaries So Low? Is Working at a Small Private Coffee Shop Really Hard?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, "Nonsense! There's no way it's 3500!" "The words between the lines reveal such humility!" "Making only a hundred something a day, why can't I speak my mind?" "They always expect me, as a coffee maker, to treat customers like royalty and give them whatever they want. But! Sometimes it's really... I just can't do it..." These are all from what the FrontStreet Coffee content writer wrote the other day

"Nonsense! There's no 3500!" "Every word reveals subservience!" "I only earn a little over 100 a day, why can't I say what I want?" "They always expect me, a coffee maker, to treat customers like royalty, giving them whatever they want. But! Sometimes it's really... I can't do it..." These are all comments excerpted from an article titled "Barista: Please Don't Make Things Difficult for Me! I'm Just a Worker Earning 3500..." written by a content creator a couple of days ago. And these comments also reflect the heartfelt sentiments of many people after becoming baristas.

After reading this article, a colleague talked to the content creator about how he recently interviewed someone who, when asked why they chose to become a barista, answered: "I like coffee, being a barista is quite good." When asked about their expected salary, the interviewee answered: "3000." (In Guangzhou)

It seems that everyone has already accepted the problem of low wages for barista work before even being interviewed. But clearly, 3000 isn't enough for daily expenses in a big city, yet they still want to become a barista without hesitation. Before applying for this profession, did everyone really think it through?

The Reality of Being a Barista

Don't be fooled by the seemingly "harmless" appearance of the "barista" profession, and don't think that being a barista will allow you to learn everything you want. There's a saying that "pie doesn't fall from the sky." From an employer's perspective, I believe not many people are willing to pay someone to work and also constantly impart knowledge without expecting anything in return.

If applicants come with the attitude of "I'm here to learn," that's not necessarily wrong, but they can't just think that they're only there to learn. Since you're applying for the job, you must see yourself as a service industry professional who knows how to make coffee, facing all kinds of consumers.

Yes, that's right, you're a service worker—there's essentially nothing wrong with this statement. Don't think that being a barista is easy, and don't be "deceived" by the barista images in Japanese and Korean dramas. Real-life baristas are extremely busy, especially in chain coffee shops. A barista's work isn't just about brewing coffee and creating latte art; you also have to wash cups, fix faucets, change light bulbs, unclog drains and toilets, carry heavy items, do carpentry, electrical work, cleaning... There's a saying in the industry: Baristas are truly multi-talented creatures who can live beautifully even without money.

Many people only realize when they actually become baristas: "Ah! This job is different from what I imagined! Why is it so tiring? How can those customers be so 'harsh'?" Yes, this profession is really not as simple as everyone thinks. It's just because the entry barrier is low that people don't take the actual work of baristas seriously. More often, many people view it from a customer's perspective, thinking that a barista's job is just brewing coffee and chatting throughout the day.

Taking Responsibility for Your Career

Since you've chosen to be a barista, treat this job seriously. Resources are limited, but there are infinite ways to learn knowledge. Don't stay in the "waiting to be fed" stage; you must also find ways to expand your practice and research. Read more books, learn more about coffee knowledge, and don't just停留在 how to brew a cup of coffee. It's not true that you learn nothing as a barista, but whether you learn what you want ultimately depends on yourself.

Many people who have worked as baristas will say after resigning or changing careers: "Working in a coffee shop, you learn nothing, and it's tiring! Time has diluted all my passion for coffee." That's not true! This is just finding a seemingly reasonable excuse for their own lack of ambition.

Being unwilling to humbly ask for advice, unwilling to read books to understand more about coffee, and not listening to any criticism from others are common traits among many baristas. If you want to learn but are unwilling to put in the effort yourself, how can you expect to gain anything? Whether in work or study, there must be付出—no one is obligated to teach you anything.

Making the Right Choice

If the reason for applying to be a barista is because you like drinking coffee, then you don't need to apply to be a barista at all. Find a higher-paying job and occasionally visit a coffee shop for a cup—that would be a better choice. If you just think being a barista is easy, then you can directly consider other options,没有必要 to end up disappointing and hurting yourself. If you just enjoy brewing coffee, then buy a set of equipment, brew it yourself, and share it with friends around you—you can still improve your brewing skills.

Time is a cost with no clear breakdown. Working without purpose will only make you increasingly "poor" (not necessarily financially). If you want to be a barista but only want to stand behind the bar and live day by day, you'll always be just a coffee maker without progress. The coffee industry isn't just about brewing coffee; there are many, many things worth looking forward to. Don't limit this profession to behind the bar.