How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Starbucks?

Starbucks is an American multinational chain of coffee and food shops. They were established in Seattle in 1971 and have expanded to now having stores in 83 countries.

Despite its market position, it only employs about 350,000 people worldwide. The increase between 2019 and 2020 was only 0.87%. Jobs are, therefore, not as easy to come by as they are with the big retail giants.

But you may be wondering how old do you have to be to work at Starbucks?

To be a full-time shift supervisor, you will need to be at least eighteen. However, to work as a part-time barista, you will need to be at least sixteen.

Can 15-year-olds Work at Starbucks?

The minimum age for employment set by the company is sixteen. So the answer to that question is no, not at the moment.

You would be able to apply just before you were sixteen. But if successful, you would not be able to commence until you have had your birthday.

Work Opportunities

Barista- Hourly Paid

Minimum Age 16

Starbucks is not the same coffee experience as you might find in Europe. While the service is generally all smiles and quite good, the Barista training is somewhat different.

A trainee on the first day in Starbucks might be pulling shots at the end of the first day. Making coffee, under supervision, for customers. However, in an Italian, French, or a Dutch coffee shop, Barista training can last two months.

That Doesn’t Suit All Companies or All People

Some people would not want a lengthy training process. You might argue that it is ‘only coffee.’ But in some places, it isn’t ‘only’ coffee at all.

Likewise, the longer you are training, the less productive you are. Starbucks would like you to become productive as soon as possible. And another major difference is that in most European coffee shops you haven’t got twenty varieties of coffee plus all the other drinks.

And that isn’t considering the food that is also available. And that is a considerable amount. Starbucks probably considers learning everything is going to take you too long, so in you go at the deep end.

There Is A Difference

Starbucks and other mostly ‘coffee only’ companies have a different approach. That means a different type of training. Baristas at Starbucks are trained to do coffee the ‘Starbucks way.’

At Starbucks

It is very much a ‘learn it quick’ operation. The outlets are busy. You will need to learn fast and work even faster at times. You will also be expected to keep the counter and coffee-making areas clean. And they expect that along with good customer service.

Producing one of the many varieties of coffee or other drinks is only one part of the operation for a Starbucks Barista. They are also expected to play their part in making sure the counters and seated areas are clean and welcoming.

It goes without saying that handling cash and customer change is taken very seriously. As is ensuring that the safety regulations of the store are adhered to. As I said earlier, the minimum age requirement is 16.

Shift Supervisor – Hourly Paid

Minimum Age 18

For many in Starbucks, this will be their first opportunity to get some supervisory experience. To become a shift supervisor at Starbucks, you will need to have at least one year of experience. This can be either with the company or in another retail restaurant environment.

Shift Supervisors report to the Store Manager, and you will assist them in ensuring that the outlet runs smoothly.

This position has a certain amount of responsibility attached to it. You will be required to do the following:-

The Barista makes the drinks and serves the food. But it is the Shift Supervisor who ensures that all is well in the shop and that it functions well.

Part-Time Opportunities

There are also part-time opportunities at Starbucks, but this will depend on the situation at the store. Obviously, some outlets are busier than others.

In those busy stores, there may be times when extra part-time staff will be required. In some stores, there is a permanent requirement for part-time staff.

Starbucks often requires part-time staff to support and mirror the full-time equivalent. If you have some coffee shop or other retail restaurant experience, that will help you. Training will be given where necessary.

What Can You Expect To Be Paid?

Because of State and city laws and minimum wage regulations, I can only give an estimate of what the hourly rate might be. Full-time and Part-time staff are usually paid the same hourly rate. But this will, of course, depend on the experience of the individual.

What also needs to be considered are the extra benefits on offer. And some of those benefits extend to part-time staff as well. I shall look at those later.

Barista

Baristas are paid between the minimum wage applicable and about $15 per hour. If you are joining as a sixteen-year-old with no experience, it will obviously be at the minimum rate. If you have had some experience, this will earn you a higher hourly rate.

The average hourly rate for a Barista is $9.

Shift Supervisor

A Shift Supervisor can expect a slightly higher rate on average but then has more responsibility. You will also need, as I said earlier, at least a year’s experience in a retail restaurant environment. If you can provide that, then the hourly rate will be somewhat negotiable.

The hourly rate will be between $9-18, with the average pay rate at about $12.

The Benefits You Can Expect

Every employee, whether full or part-time, gets a discount of 30% on all Starbucks products. They can also have free drinks while they are working, and they each get a pound of coffee each week for free.

Benefits for Part-Time Workers

I mentioned earlier about company benefits to part-time workers, which is something you don’t often see. As a part-time worker at Starbucks, you get the benefits I just mentioned. But you will also get insurance benefits.

Benefits for Full-Time Workers

Most of those benefits you will find at most of the larger companies, except those for the part-time staff.

Do You Need Experience to Work At Starbucks?

They are another company that is considered to be ‘entry-level friendly.’ This means they welcome young people with no experience or qualifications. However, you will need experience, as I have already said, to be a Shift supervisor. But a 16-year-old with no experience can apply to be a Barista.

If you have any relevant experience, then that will work in your favor. It is likely to get you a higher starting hourly rate. It may also move you into junior management positions earlier.

The Interview

Starbucks has an interesting line on what to wear at work. They encourage staff to dress to suit their own personal style. You aren’t therefore required to dress particularly conservatively or in business attire. You get given a green hat and a green apron, and the rest is up to you.

However, for the interview, it is important that you look smart but casual. Certainly not a good idea to wear jeans, a t-shirt and trainers. Remember, they rely on customer service and repeat business. At the interview, as at work, they will expect certain standards.

They will expect you to be:

Smart Trousers and a shirt with a nice casual pair of shoes are probably the order of the day. If it is your first interview, then I would highly recommend reading My first interview.: Keys to getting that first job. And, as I said, a nice shirt will go down well, so get yourself a Dockers Men’s Long Sleeve Signature Comfort Flex Shirt.

Looking for More Useful Information about Starbucks?

Then check out our Starbucks Application, our Starbucks Interview Questions, and our Starbucks Barista Interview Questions. You may also be wondering Does Starbucks do Drug Tests, and Does Starbucks Hire Felons?

Or, if you’re also interested in working for different coffee shops, take a look at our Peet’s Coffee and Tea Application, Caribou Coffee Application, Gloria Jeans Coffees Application, Which Wich Application, The Coffee Bean Tea Leaf Application, and our Brueggers Bagels Application in 2023.

And for The Love Of Everything Coffee! You can improve your coffee-making skills and become your very own barista with The Barista Book: A Coffee Lover’s Companion with Brewing Tips and Over 50 Recipes, The Professional Barista’s Handbook: An Expert Guide to Preparing Espresso, Coffee, and Tea, The Curious Barista’s Guide to Coffee, or my personal favorite, THE BARISTA REFERENCE BOOK: FOUNDATION.

But wait, there’s also The Home Barista: How to Bring Out the Best in Every Coffee Bean, The Ultimate Coffee Bar Cookbook for Coffee Lovers the Coffee Obsession, or The Coffee Book: Barista tips & recipes from around the world, the Top 100 Coffee Recipes: A Cookbook for Coffee Lovers, or if you really like to get creative Latte Art: The Ultimate Barista’s Guide To Stunning Coffee Art, all available online today.

Final Thoughts

If you like coffee and serving others, then Starbucks might well be your thing. So, give it a go; it’s a nice friendly place to work where you can enjoy the smell and taste of freshly brewed coffee all day long!

All the very best with getting a job at Starbucks.