Prepares coffee and espresso-based drinks to a high standard while serving customers. Manages the coffee station, keeps equipment clean, and often handles counter service and payments. A front-line role at the heart of New Zealand's café culture. Speed, consistency, and good customer service are the keys to success behind the machine. The role offers flexible hours and is a common starting point for careers across New Zealand's hospitality sector. The best baristas learn their coffee properly, from grind and extraction to milk texture, and stay consistent through the rush. Many move on to head barista, cafe manager, or running their own roastery or cart over time.

Generated with AI

Total Remuneration Range

Base salary + bonuses, based on 2 submissions

Minimum Wage
$49,816
Living Wage
$62,192
Median
$45,000
90th Percentile
$45,800
Minimum Wage
$23.95/hr
$49,816/year
0.9×
This role pays 0.9 times the minimum wage
-10%
Living Wage
$29.90/hr
$62,192/year
0.7×
This role pays 0.7 times the living wage
-28%
National Wage Percentile
$45,000
median salary for this role
Top 63.6%
This role's median is higher than 36.4% of all NZ wage/salary earners
1,807,300 earners at or above this salary
Source: IRD Wage & Salary Distributions — March 2026

Common questions about Barista pay

Based on 2 anonymous submissions

What is the median salary for Barista in New Zealand?

Across 2 anonymous submissions, the median total salary for a Barista in New Zealand is $45,000 per year. Total remuneration ranges from about $44,200 (10th percentile) to $45,800 (90th percentile).

How does Barista pay compare with NZ wage benchmarks?

A full-time median of $45,000 per year compares with the NZ minimum wage of $49,816 per year and the living wage of $62,192 per year.

What does a Barista earn at each experience level?

Median pay by experience: Junior (0-2 Yrs) $46,000.

Most Common Perks

Based on 2 submissions

Viewing perks for selected submission
  • Flexible Working Hours 100%
    • Remote / Hybrid WFH 0%
      • Health Insurance 0%
        • KiwiSaver Match > 3% 0%
          • Extra Annual Leave (5+ Weeks) 0%
            • Free Parking 0%

Pay by Experience Level

Median salary progression

Junior (0-2 Yrs)
$46,000

All Submissions (2)

Click a submission to see its perks
$44,000
Wellington 0 - 2 years (Junior) Sep 2026
$46,000
Queenstown 0 - 2 years (Junior) Sep 2026

Salary by Location

Queenstown
$46,000 $46,000 $46,000
Wellington
$44,000 $44,000 $44,000