Starbucks is the #2 best company to work for (in the large company category)

That's according to Fortune magazine. (Wegmans, a grocery chain, is #1.) In its January 24 issue, Fortune says: "The coffee behemoth is justly famous for its generous benefits. One example: Part-timers and their same-or opposite-sex partners receive comprehensive health coverage. Hypnotherapy? Covered. Naturopathy? Ditto." The magazine says AVERAGE ANNUAL PAY for salaried employees is $44,790; for hourly employees, it's $35,294. Starbucks ranks #11 on the best-places list when small and medium companies are included in the list.

Comments

[Max]

Blah!blah!!Blah!!!. Shut up about the average pay, just give me my grande, quad, ristretto, nonfat, dry cappuccino, please!.

[vicki]

Hi there, I'm just wondering what the starting rate is for a SB barista in Vancouver, British Columbia?

Thanks in advance :)

[alicia]

i worked at starbucks for 6 years and let me tell you it was not that great. the pay was bad you would think after all that time i would have made more than 10.64 an hour. the company is huge on brain washing. forget working hard just kiss everyones ass and you'll move up quick.

[Sophie]

I am not sure whether this is just strictly in USA or not but I live in Canada and I am actually wondering about scholarship opportunities...I am not in University until fall 2007, but I will have been working for the company for a year and a half by then and I am just wondering if anyone has a link or anything that I can go to regarding partner scholarships...etc?
Thanks if anyone can help.
Have a great day.

[Kelly]

Sorry to break it to those of you in the United States but it seems you are not getting as well paid as us here in Canada. I started in April, 2006 and started at 8.25 an hour, as of October 2nd all Baristas in ALBERTA CANADA will be getting a $.75 raise NO MATTER WHAT THEIR CURRENT RATE IS. I am also up for my 6 month raise shortly after that and will be making about $9.25
That is quite good for working for under 6 months.
Sorry guys.
Maybe move here??
I mean we do have the sweetest IGLOOS around!!!
:)

[heather]

whats the starting wages for a new store in northern kentucky? For part time... any one know??

[Theolaxor]

Vicky-
the starting rate is around $8.60 but as kelly said, it will be going up

[Scorpio370]

Starting wages varies for the market you are in. Some places are lower than others, it's not a universal starting wage. As for those in Canada, from my understanding, #1 it's a different country and your dollar has a different rate than the US dollar, and #2 (correct me if I'm wrong on this) I heard many of the Sbux in Canada are not corporate, but liscensed?
So Vicky, you would really have to talk to the baristas in the Kentucky area to find that out, and if you are already employed at Sbux, then it's not appropriate to discuss starting wages with other employees, some companies actually make it against the company policy to discuss pay among employees.

[Louisville Barista]

[Blah!blah!!Blah!!!. Shut up about the average pay, just give me my grande, quad, ristretto, nonfat, dry cappuccino, please!.]

At least you said please! :D

[Becca]

Kelly, that's alberta, not canada in general. I have friends who work at the gap in calgary and get payed 15$/hr starting wage. Alberta is booming and people won't work for you unless you pay well, that's why you're payed better than most places.

[Samantha]

I have a question about tuition reimbursement. How much does it pay for college? Will it actually be enough to help pay for an expensive college?

nope.

up to $1000 per calandar year, depending on your length of employ...

[Sumatty Totty]

I have worked for Starbucks for five years.. I absolutely love the company and I am very passionate when it comes to my job.In those five years I have made great money..Up to 12.00 an hour.At one of our stores I was making easily 10.00 an hour wage+tips...I do think it has something to do with different areas. I have worked in three different stores and it all depends on the service and area.Better service definitly good tips. Tourist area your kinda screwed. Tourists dont tip. Their is an abundance of oppurtunity.You have to show the iniative to move up and do well.That is all working with your management team.If Starbucks knows that you want to move up they will push you to. It usually can happen pretty quick.Im am possibly moving up to a ASM. But I am a little concerned about being paid for salary..I have heard from other ASM that wish they still made tips..or that they dont make that great money. Right now I am making average 12.50 hour 30-35 hours a week. I do know Starbucks is one of the highest paying chains.. Their benefits and stock are phenominal.They do surprise you with bonuses (Baristas included)at least once a year.I will stay with the company as a career.I beleive in the company 100%.I also agree when you bash Starbucks you really should be able to Back it up or at Least sound educated.

[Theolaxor]

Mostly in backwards eastern canada the stores are all lisenced but out west theyre corporate

[Heather]

I just got offered a job but only making $7.07.. that seams really low compared to whats on here! what is the average made in tips??

[Becca]

It's only the backward province of Quebec that has only licensed stores (I can call it that, I paid my time out there).

[Melanie]

I am in an accounting class and we are analyzing Starbucks does anyone have any info on how much it costs to make one cup of coffee including wages, electricity and supplies. I have called several stores and all they can tell me is one cup(any size) costs about 12 cents any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Starbucks Elder]

I was looking for a great part-time job that offered full benefits. I am in my 50s. I did my research and found that Starbucks would be a great place to work if benefits are more important than wages. This was true for me. I applied and was "eventually" hired (took 3 weeks to get the call). I'm wondering now if I was hired as the "token AARP" person. Why are the partners (baristas) at the Starbucks stores mostly 20-somethings? Is this the age of most applicants or does Starbucks prefer to keep it that way?

...you're kidding right?

in a thread that talks about the low wages, and the hopes of increasing it to liveable wages...
you think that we can score a lot of thirty-somethings in entry level?
at a time when people are thinking of buying houses and affording college for their children?

[baristagrl]

Starbucks Elder - why in the world do you care why they hired you? I don't think three weeks would be considered 'eventually'.

I was about 50 when I started at Starbucks three years ago. I have always been the oldest partner at my store and I have proven to be one of the best. I don't think of myself as a token anything.

My previous manager was big on having a diverse group of partners and she always had a great staff. My current manager has been hiring alot of teenagers and early 20-somethings. His choice of new hires has been god-awful so far. Unfortunately it comes down to the preferences of each individual manager. Be glad you were hired and don't make an issue of your age.

I worked for *bux from 99-01 when it was the only store in my medium-sized, wealthy city. I was just recently rehired (even though I was fired, along with most of my fellow baristas, when a new manager came in - she put us all in the computer as non-rehires, but the managers who hired me this time were amazingly kind and understanding, and made arrangements to override this).

I was amazed to learn that starting pay is 8.50, over a dollar more than what I was getting when I left after 2 years. They've been raising it to compensate for cost-of-living, while most local companies have not (big problem here). 8.50 isn't anything to swoon over, but this is an entry-level job, for which I was first hired, in '99, with NO work experience whatsoever. Add in tips, which I'm estimating to be at least 3/hr due to busy location, and that's more than my husband makes as a skilled, schooled tech in a hospital ER, with many years experience. SMs start at 10.50, as I was told.

As far as the estimate of hourly wages, consider that a good percentage of hourly employees are in large metro areas. In Boston or NYC they're getting hired on at 13/hr or more, plus who knows what tips. And if you move from Boston to, say, my city, your pay will not change... they will never lower your wage.

[cookiemonster.com]

"Barista" pay has a cap. even at barista cap, you would have to pull some amazing tips(not going to happen this decade) to get the 35k range, especially since overtime is so frowned upon(in my state, at least)

shifts don't even pull 35k, wtf!!

i love working here though. i was actually searching google for "starbucks manager salary" and found this. great place to work.

[Starry*Eyed]

I was wondering how long it usually takes Starbucks to contact you after appyling for a job. Will they still contact you if you didn't get the job? I applied for a new Starbucks that's being built in my town. Does that affect anything? The interior doesn't even look close to being done.

[sbuxwkr]

In my area, as of October 3, baristas will start at $9.90, shift supervisors at $12.00. For a young college student, or a person just looking for benefits, working only 20 hours a week, this is not bad. The partners in my store average 2.50 - 3.00 an hour in tips also. Not too shabby.
To comment above, did you apply online or in person at another store? I would call the nearest Sbux, and tell them you are interested in working at the new store and how you can get in touch with the manager. As a manager myself, I tell my applicants if they don't hear from me with in a week, feel free to call, because it is retail and we are busy. But usually if they don't call you, they may have found a more qualified candidate.

[You forget]

I live in Seattle and i am a Sbux partner. EVERYONE seems to forget the people (and there are ALOT of them), that work at the Corporate office here in Seattle. The Corporate office employees everything from HUGE call centers to risk mangement, the music team, computer support, real estate and well you get the idea. ALOT of those employees are HOURLY. so add that into your hourly average that everyone above me keeps arguing about. The pay is good and it is a GREAT environment.

Additionally, there are advantages to living in Seattle and being a barista. You can apply for jobs at the corporate office and SBUX loves loves, to hire from within. I suppose outside of Seattle if you are a barista then your job is just like any other coffee place really, but with more benefits..

In my area store managers are at about 20,000 maybe 25,000 for the ones there the longest. And I am making less than 10,000 even if you were to calculate in my 60 cent raise 32 hours a week. But you can get tution for almost anything (including engineering-trust me I know) but it's not much money. Actually I gave it up so I could get a bigger break from my school.

[Starry*Eyed]

I called and got an interview. It went really well and the manager said he'd be calling for a second interview within the next week. I'm not sure if I'm putting this question in the right place but... What happens during the second interview? I've heard that it's standard for starbucks application process. Do they ask you the same questions? Is it usually a different person interviewing you?

[More Than Bearable]

I've been working as a barista at Starbucks for a year and a half now, and absolutely love it. Despite my limited availability, my manager has always worked to make sure I get my 20 hours, at least, to maintain my benefits. I love my coworkers and customers, and honestly, can sincerely say I look forward going to work every day. (note: I still do not look for forward to getting UP...)

When we have disgruntled customers, Starbucks generally has some hotline or method of handling the situation that allows us to actually HELP the customer, and they almost always leave happy. THAT is a huge improvement over my last job, where we often had to tell the customer we couldn't help them, because of the company wasn't set up to.

We have our discounts and free coffee markout, stock options and little bonuses here and there. Also, if we have a question, Starbucks has almost always provided some manual or hotline or whatnot where we can FIND the answer. It's a beautiful thing.

Starbucks is generally a socially concious company, and actually stands for some things. I don't agree with everything they decide or support, but as a whole, it's a big company that actually cares to make a difference, even though it doesn't have to.

This is not to say it's all a bed of roses. That one supervisor sometimes drives me crazy, I don't like to clean out drains, and you always get that RIDICULOUS customer. Not to mention I don't even LIKE coffee. But I have not once regretted my choice to start working at Starbucks.

On the simplest level, during a day at work we have some Frank Sinatra, some amazing customers and now friends, free drinks, and the funniest coworkers - all mixed with that fantastic smell of coffee... not a bad day.

[sweet girl]

Someone please tell me what is the hourly wage at starbucks. I thought it was 9.25, but they only offered me 7.50. I live in sacramento, ca, doesn't anybody know the hourly wage for a starbux worker?

[caf (fiend)]

Hi everyone. There is a lot of great information on this site. I have been head hunted by Starbucks for a SM position and I would just like to know what are your top 5 reasons for working with Starbucks and your top 5 for not wanting to/leaving?

Thanks!

[Topher]

Caf:

My top reasons for working for SBUX,

They belive in my quality of life!...I am an ASM in Dallas, and my company believes that a 40 hour workweek is enough, for everyone. They even pay me to take classes on managing my time. Whenever I've asked for overtime to complete an important project, the answer is always no, go home and be with your family!

They honestly embrace diversity!...Being around and working with people from all walks of life is important to my well being. I get that at Starbucks, as we work with people of all ages, religions and nationalities.

Our mission statement includes enriching peoples daily lives!...That goes for customers and Partners. Making people happy is fun, and at work, everyone is full of respect. There are always bad apples, but generally, this is a constant. I've been with the company for 10 years and worked at 9 stores, and it is always the same.

We support the communities in which our coffee is grown...This is great because while commercial retail sellers will only pay the lowest price possible for the lowest quality beans, we pay more than necessary in some cases, and always consider the community and sustainability in our growing practices.

The job is fun...It allows you to be involved in your community, and develop bonds with coworkers. Knowing how to make great coffee is an art, and learning it is an enjoyable task. Every step of the way you are respected at Starbucks.

The reasons I will stay are simple.

Money...I don't even have a college degree, and I am making enough to support a new house and car, 2 dogs, and fabulous vacations to germany every 2 years.

Health care...I had a pre-existing condition before I was enrolled in the benefits program, and was instantly approved. They even pay for my same sex spouse.

401K...Being with the company for so long, they match my 401k deposits at 75 percent, and that will be lucritive when I am old and crotchety!

Loyalty...When I started at SBUX in high school we had a bit over 1000 stores worldwide. Now 10 years later, we have 10,000. Living through and working through growth like that makes you proud.

My team...Every Starbucks has a family living within it's walls. I am proud to be a part of that family, and it includes partners and customers. The connections made are wonderful, and meaningful, and while a great many of them will be based only at your current store, a great many more can remain lifelong friends.

You didn't ask about any negatives of working for the company, so I assume you are pretty committed already.

But there are negatives. As with any job, everything is not perfect. I often wake at 3:30 to get to my store an hour later, and some people yell at you. Oh well I say, and move on because I know that SBUX values me.

Hope that helps. I'm pretty biased, but am only posting the first response of many I hope!

[Cat]

I keep reading about how great the health benefits are for *$ partners. Can anyone tell me how much you are charged for them? I'd be looking for health coverage for myself, my partner and our child.

[mike]

What are manager wages in Knoxville,TN. I have 10+ restaurant experinence in full service and quick service as a GM and will complete my BBA in fall 2007. The less than 50hr work week is attractive and would really like to be a DM in a couple of years. I'm at $36,000 + bonus at my present job working 55/hrs week.

[mike]

What are manager wages in Knoxville,TN. I have 10+ restaurant experinence in full service and quick service as a GM and will complete my BBA in fall 2007. The less than 50hr work week is attractive and would really like to be a DM in a couple of years. I'm at $36,000 + bonus at my present job working 55/hrs week.

[Alex]

Just a little info as the salary.

I just got hired as an ASM in California (Bay Area) and my salary is around 36K + (3k bonus). I got a college degree in management, also I have 2 yrs of retail management exp. as an Executive Asst. Store Manager in Walgreens. I'm happy with Starbucks offer. I was making a little bit more when I was in Walgreens, but the work environment at walgreens was horriable. In walgreens, they dont have anybody to stock the inventories, therefore, everybody including the managers have to stock. It was very physical and tough work, especially in the warehouse day. At Walgreens we don't get pay Over Time, I was schedule to work 55 - 60hrs a week as an EXA. It was CRAZY!!! I am happy that I made a change to Starbucks.

I recently left a very demanding Assistant Store Manager job that averaged about 35000 a year, I'm in the process to become a Assistant Store Manager for Starbucks and was told they start about 30K to 31K but will get promoted into a SM within 8 months in the Washington State area. What is a normal schedule like for both a Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager? And do they have a process for who gets what holidays off for instance Christmas and Thanksgiving?

[Sarah in Michigan]

I'm in my 40s, and really need a job with good health benefits. I have a college degree (several, actually), but haven't been able to get a job with benefits. A big part of the problem is that I'm just not that healthy and get fatigued very easily, so I haven't been able to work full-time. Very few part-time jobs offer health benefits. It's a catch-22: If I had health insurance, maybe I'd get a diagnosis & treatment and be well enough to work full-time, but until I'm well enough to work full-time, I can't get health insurance.

Several people have told me that they've heard Starbucks is a good way to get health benefits if you can't work full-time, but I'm worried that I'm not physically capable of handling the work. Just how tough is working at Starbucks, physically? For comparison, my current job requires me to spend three hours at a time standing and lecturing (I teach at a small college), but I often have to spend the whole next day (or even two days) in bed recovering afterwards. Would Starbucks be something that a person like me could handle? Does Starbucks have any jobs that aren't too physically demanding?

[franky]

i sympathize with your plight sarah, but starbucks really isn't for you, at least in the store environment.

i mean, you're standing and moving on your feet from 4-8 hours a day, moving quickly, hustling to get the times down.

it is totally physically demanding and that has nothing to do with the taxing emotional turmoil that you have to deal with on an on-going basis with customers (read ANY other post here to see the bitterness in people who actually really like their job and the company)

i would suggest something that isn't this.

maybe something at corporate would yield you the ability to work within your guidelines and the demands of the job, however the store environment isn't it.

starbucks is always looking for awesome people, so this isn't meant to deter you from the company, just setting up the realities of the in-store locations.

it's a lot harder than most people (even the ones who work for starbucks) give us credit for...

[2nd interview]

any one know if they grill you on p&l statments? I have my second interview tomorrow with 2 dm's

[wondering]

Has anyone heard of getting hired back after quitting SBUX over 10 years ago?

Do they keep records that long?

thanks
currently unemployed

[Sarah in Michigan]

Thanks, Franky, for the input.

Corporate is only on the west coast, isn't it? So, there wouldn't be anything in Michigan, would there?

I wish I could find some other part-time job that offered benefits. It does sound like Satrbucks would be too physically intense for me.

Why is it Starbucks does not pay their employees Holiday pay? The ones who work get an additional 50% of their pay; work like dogs to only have the rest enjoy the benefits of our hard earned tips. What is wrong with this picture? Outside of the manager and assistant less than 1/4 of the other employees enjoy the benefit package. The hours are so varied and you can't depend on getting enough to qualify for benefits. After 3 years I am about ready to call it quits to find a job where I do have steady work and benefits; not just the dream of having benefits.

[jackie]

hi, i recently started working at starbucks and i can't seem to find the STARBUCKS PARTNER PORTAL -- i'm trying to submit my direct deposit info, &when i ask my manager all i get is that i do that at "the portal," and that it's at the sbux website...really?? i can't find it :( please help!!

Hey Jackie. The portal is at your manager's workstation. Ask to use the computer there. You'll find everything you need.

[barockstar]

...uh, i get holiday pay.

and if partners work on a holiday - they not only get holiday pay, but also time and a half for the hours they work.

which means:
working on a stat=double time and a half.

...at least here in canada.

Not in the Colorado. Only if you work do you get pay, I don't know about managers or assistants

[regina]

I worked for SBUX for 10 years, and I can tell you that isn't a good reflection of barista salaries...at best maybe $10-$12 an hour (about $20k/year). That $ amount is more reflective of the fact that assistant managers are paid on an hourly, not salaried rate, so that will drive up the average. There are probably plenty of people @ the corporate level as well that are well compensated, but get paid on an hourly basis.

[xsbux]

"and if partners work on a holiday - they not only get holiday pay, but also time and a half for the hours they work"

In the US it is just time and a half for working holidays...NOT double time and a half

[estar]

Hi! I wonder if anyone knows the hourly wage of a barista in Boston? I'm thinking of applying for a position and am not sure what to put down for my desired pay. After reading through the comments, would $7-9 be a good range? Thanks!

xsubx: are you sure that you're (were) reading your stub correctly?
they are on separate lines...
holiday pay
overtime pay

estar: you don't get to chose, sorry. (it's a set amount in each area)
however if you insist on writing something in the spot - shoot low, so you won't be disappointed! ;)