Food & BeverageCompare

Barista

O*NET: Baristas·35-3023.01

The Verdict:Barista work demands hands-on finesse—grinding beans, steaming milk precisely, assembling drinks and foods amid rush-hour chaos. No system replicates the tactile speed and adaptation. Human charm fosters repeat visits, though kiosks handle orders. Evolving tech shifts peripherals, but core craft and cafe vibe endure for years.

Resilience Score

/100

Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$30k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+6%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 1 of 19 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
13 of 19 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 26% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

1exposed

5AI leverage

13human-essential

View all 19 tasks

AI Can Handle This1 task

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Receive and process customer payments.

AI Leverage5 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Take customer orders and convey them to other employees for preparation.

Describe menu items to customers, or suggest products that might appeal to them.

Provide customers with product details, such as coffee blend or preparation descriptions.

Order, receive, or stock supplies or retail products.

Create signs to advertise store products or events.

Human Advantage13 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Prepare or serve hot or cold beverages, such as coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees, or teas.

Clean or sanitize work areas, utensils, or equipment.

Clean service or seating areas.

Serve prepared foods, such as muffins, biscotti, or bagels.

Prepare or serve menu items, such as sandwiches or salads.

Set up or restock product displays.

Weigh, grind, or pack coffee beans for customers.

Stock customer service stations with paper products or beverage preparation items.

Wrap, label, or date food items for sale.

Take out garbage.

Slice fruits, vegetables, desserts, or meats for use in food service.

Check temperatures of freezers, refrigerators, or heating equipment to ensure proper functioning.

Demonstrate the use of retail equipment, such as espresso machines.

Resilience Landscape

Barista lands in Stable, Lower Pay

Higher Resilience Paths in Food & Beverage

Food & Beverage

Barista

Task Analysis

Resilience Landscape

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