Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

The Work

‘Barista’ is the Italian term for a professional coffee-maker and while you may not need formal qualifications, many coffee shops have their staff trained as ‘baristas’ to make sure that their staff can operate the machines and produce the perfect cup of coffee.

A baristas work station is often designed so that the guest can see their coffee being put together. But that is not all they can see. They also see if the place is messy or dirty, so it’s important that all areas are tidied and cleaned regularly throughout the day.

If you work in a café with a wide range of speciality coffees on offer, you need to know what they all taste like so that you can give recommendations. Whilst not all customers care or know a lot about coffee, everyone wants a pleasant and polite person serving them their hot beverage, so customer service is always a big part of your job.

Many baristas take great pride in their work and there are prestigious competitions in coffee making, such as the ‘World Barista Championship’ where Ireland has had a number of competitors in recent years. In Ireland, the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) also holds national championships annually to crown the best baristas in Ireland!

The coffee industry is also full of ethics, and some customers may want to know more about where the coffee beans come from, or where and how they have been roasted. So make sure you know the difference between Fairtrade and organic coffee!

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
• Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
• Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Collect payments from customers.
• Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorise orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
• Prepare checks that itemise and total meal costs and sales taxes.
• Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
• Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
• Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
• Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

This is an entry level job so you can work as a barista without formal qualifications. Experience of working in the hospitality sector and customer service will be beneficial if you are looking for a job as a barista.

Training and Development

Cafés who pride themselves in the quality of their coffee may offer barista training courses to their staff. You may also pursue training independently through a Barista school, some education and training centres may also offer Barista Skills courses.

Relevant training for a barista can be focused on either the making of coffee or customer service skills.

Key Skill Certs:

Health & Safety & First aid courses

Occupational First Aid 

Barista Skills 

These courses often provided in local Training Centres or through ETBs, you can search for these key skills certs via Search our FET coursefinder.

FET Centre Traineeship: Barista & Bar Tending skills , Food & Beverage service, Hospitality, management Level NFQ 4-5 search our FET coursefinder. 

FET PLC Courses: Barista, Pastry & Baking, Hospitality, Hotel, Bar & Restaurant Studies, Restaurant & Bar Management NFQ level 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Sales, Bar management Apprenticeships NFQ levels 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Career Development 

Career progression in the Food & Beverage sector from barista may be to supervisor or manager in a café or restaurant. It is also possible to develop a professional reputation as a barista by applying yourself and taking pride in your work and treating it like a craft. 

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €31k

Salaries vary by location, employer, duties, role, shift pattern, and experience. 

12.70 euro per hour - 15 euro per hour, hours can be irregular.

Data Source(s):
Excel Recruitment Salary Survey / Indeed/ Payscale/ Talent.com

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment grew strongly for both waiters/waitresses and bar staff between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 12,000 persons employed combined, the numbers remained below preCOVID-19 levels. While waiters/waitresses were predominately female, the opposite was the case for bar staff with males accounting for the higher share.

Those aged 15-24 years accounted for the majority of persons employed as waiters/waitresses and bar staff, at 73% and 64% respectively; at least 75% of those employed in these occupations were working part-time. Both occupations had high volumes of recent job hires highlighting that job churn is a particular feature of these roles. Although issues with attracting candidates to the roles are evident, no shortages have been identified.

• Speciality Coffee Association

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