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

[starbucksmole]

the average pay for a starbucks barista is about 7-8 range. the benefits they have are terrible -Aetna is a joke. for a couple if you get the top plan is 83.00 weekly!! So the next person that tells me "you must love working there because they give you free benefits" is gonna get it in the face!

[mohammed]

my ambition to work for starbucks.

[erika]

oh that is so nooooot true...i get paid ten and hour and if i worked my 40 hours every week and months...it still will not add up to that...i did the calculations and it less than $20,000....and what barista get paid more than 10/hour??
you would have to get paid $16 hourly in other to get THAT number...that is such BS!

[Kristen]

Wow...so many issues that I just read about and I would like to address, but I'll probably forget some of them...

In any case, I've worked for Starbuck's for 4 years this month. There have been times when I loved them, and times when I have hated them. After four years, more than 10 stores, roughly 15 managers, two regions, and four districts, I've finally come to the conclusion that it's where you're working, and who you're working for, that make the difference in the overall experience of working for Starbuck's. I think that kind of goes for any job, though. For example, if you have a bad manager, or if your manager has a bad manager, you're obviously going to be unhappy at your job. I've worked with both extremes - wonderful and terrible managers - and everything in between, and that pretty much determined whether or not I was happy working for Starbuck's.

To address some of the issues about working for Starbuck's:

* They're flexible, particularly when it comes to transferring. I went to school in Boston, and went home to Salt Lake City for the summers for the last four years. I only had a problem with this one time, and it was my manager's fault, not Starbucks's fault (my manager accidentally deleted me from the system).

* Although hourly employees don't make anywhere near $35,294 per year, they do get paid relatively well. Your pay directly depends on the city in which you are working. For example, I started at $8.00 per hour in Boston in January 2003 (I believe it's still the same beginning pay, but it may have gone up to $8.25). When I transferred to Salt Lake City, I got my pay cut by roughly $1.00-$1.25 per hour due to cost of living. Regardless of where you work, everyone gets a review and raise every six months. Also, you can be promoted relatively easily in theory (again, it depends on your manager and how quickly you catch on to how your job is supposed to be done). Plus, you get tips in addition to your hourly pay. Tip amounts vary from store-to-store (I've made as little as $.60 per hour, and as much as $4.25 per hour), but they can really help out sometimes!

* Tuition reimbursement can be very helpful! Despite some of the previously posted comments, Starbuck's approves tuition reimbursement for classes that are NOT business. I was a Psychology major, and I was approved for my psychology courses. It's nice, too, because Starbuck's puts your tuition reimbursement directly onto your paycheck. So, instead of receiving $350 for the hours you worked, you would get a check for roughly $850 ($500 is the tuition reimbursement amount for employees who have worked for less than three years, and I think it goes up to $1000 after that).

* You get a free pound of coffee or box of tea every week, which is very nice if you drink coffee and/or tea! It also makes a nice present for other people! The 30% off discount is also quite nice.

* There are five holidays each year when employees (in the U.S., at least) get time-and-a-half for working: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Christmas Day (and yes, some stores are open on Christmas Day). Also, usually the stores will divide the tips for that day among the employees who actually worked that day. On Chrismas, I've seen people make as much as $15 per hour each in tips.

* The stock options are fairly decent, too. I've arranged with Fidelity Investments to take 5% of my total pay out of each check and invest it into stock for me. Starbuck's employees get 15% off of stock, too, so I've actually made a decent amount of money from investing in stock.

I know it sounds like I've kind of glorified working for Starbuck's, but it's not all great. Like I said before, your experience working for Starbuck's is directly related to your manager and the other people you work with. If they suck, you might be miserable at work. If they're cool, you'll probably like working. Also, sometimes people on the corporate level stick to the rules a little bit too much, but there are usually ways to get beyond those people if you try hard enough.

I hope that I helped at least a little bit in clearing up some of the confusion about working for Starbuck's... :)

[Holly]

Hi, I have a question maybe someone could help me out. I am a starbucks partner, been with the company for over a year now in a california resort town area. Recently one the shift leads in my store was fired....she too has been a hard working employee with the company for over a year. The reasons for her being fired are questionable to me...for one she had many people against her in there, people that ratted her out because she gave out the occasional "drink or two.." (as if we all have NEVER done that) but what my manager really fired her for was letting someone hang out in the store after close, while the baristas and her did the closing, and of course those baristas are the ones that ratted her out. But my manager told everyone that she was fired by human resources....this girl has never had a write up, never been introuble before, and it is just devestating to see something like that make her lose a job so important to her well being....is there anything that can be done about this? Could she be able to get her job back?

[barockstar]

wellllll...
the whole problem is that you probably aren't aware of the whole story. even if you were, there are some infractions that can lead to automatic terminations, and most of those are in relation to safety and security - like having someone in the store after hours.

even if she were able to appeal her case and get the option to work back, coming back into a hostile environment probably isn't the best idea for her or the team...

the most i can offer to you as recourse is twofold: first have a conversation with your manager. tell them how you're feeling and why. while they have no obligation to explain anything, and further - shouldn't really tell you about others' corrective action, they may be able to give you more information. if that doesn't feel good then you can call the business code of conduct line and report what you think is happening...
it's confidential, and they can investigate your claims.

either way, the chances of her working there again are close to none, but at least you may be able to ensure that unfairness doesn't happen again (if that turns out to be the case)...

[Holly]

Thanks for clearing that up for me Barockstar :)

Hi. this question is for someone who's worked in the Seattle corporate office....
I've been talking with a recruiter from Starbucks corporate office about some manager positions in the Seattle office. I'm set to go interview with several people next week. I'm wondering what the work environment is like. Is it a cool place to work? Do they believe in flexible ways of working?, ie. work from home a couple days a week and flexing hours (I have 2 kids under 3 and my husband has a demanding job too). Does all this depend on who your direct manager is? or is there a corporate culture influencing the way the company is?

[IsStarbucks4Me]

Hi,

I'm considering applying at my local Starbucks (small town).

Could someone tell me:

1) What is the approx. cost of the insurance program per week/month? Single male, 45+ . I'm applying more for the benefits than the money.

2) Do I stand a chance of learning all the "recipes" used in the various Starbucks drinks? I'm an intelligent person and can follow directions, but don't know anything about espresso machines, cappucinos, mochas, etc. My only experience is with store-bought drip coffees!

Thanks!

[toni rose]

Hey, I was just wondering if anyone knows the payrate for a shift supervisor? I'm a current shift supervisor in New Jersey, but I'm moving to upstate NY. I was wondering if anyone knew what their payrate there is for a shift, I just need to know whether I'd be able to keep my same hourly wage or if it would go down some. Thanks, this would help me a lot!

[Cody Jonas]

Your coffee is the best coffee I have ever hade. I go there every morning to get it before I go to work in the summer.

[I Heart Starbucks]

I was just promoted to Shift, I make $10.25/hr plus full extended medical and dental benefits. Thats in B.C, Canada. Love Starbucks, Considering going all the way to DM. Only been with the company for 5 months.
Recommend it for anyone looking for flexiable hours and an awesome work environment. Worth it!!! Plus u get a free 1lb bag of coffee a week. ;0P

[I Heart Starbucks]

I was just promoted to Shift, I make $10.25/hr plus full extended medical and dental benefits. Thats in B.C, Canada. Love Starbucks, Considering going all the way to DM. Only been with the company for 5 months.
Recommend it for anyone looking for flexiable hours and an awesome work environment. Worth it!!! Plus u get a free 1lb bag of coffee a week. ;0P

[JohnSSKay]

The article says SALARIED employees. Baristas and Shift supervisors are not salaried, but hourly.
ASM's and SM's are salaried.
Starbucks is great.
I have been there 2 1/2 months and have one promotion to Shift Supervisor and my name is in the hat for the soon to be open ASM spot.
Love the place. Will probably stay with company as long as I can continue to promote.
It's great.

[Mikel Kohen]

Were did you get you info??? This is from the web sit. Over all

1 Google 67 Medium 6,500
2 Genentech 25 Medium 9,979
3 Wegmans Food Markets 8 Large 33,737
4 Container Store 14 Medium 2,866
5 Whole Foods Market 15 Large 37,806
6 Network Appliance 33 Medium 3,553
7 S.C. Johnson & Son 0 Medium 3,400
8 Boston Consulting Grp. 15 Small 1,434
9 Methodist Hospital Sys. 5 Medium 9,424
10 W.L. Gore & Associates 9 Medium 4,945
11 Cisco Systems 3 Large 27,493
12 David Weekley Homes 19 Small 1,622
13 Nugget Market 1 Small 1,099
14 Qualcomm 17 Medium 8,860
15 American Century Invest. 1 Small 1,783
>>16 Starbucks Coffee 15 Large 109,873

For large company----
1 Wegmans Food Markets 3 33,737
2 Whole Foods Market 5 37,806
3 Cisco Systems 11 27,493
>>>4 Starbucks Coffee 16 109,873

I work in the corporate office, and it's a GREAT atmosphere. Right now, I wouldn't want to work anywhere else. I know in my department everything's relaxed and easy going. I don't have the option of working from home with my position though.

[le secretaire]

I just wanted inform those who are writing that shifts can't move up are wrong.... I have worked in the coffee industry for over five years now, and I can tell you that Starbucks does a great deal to educate and promote their shifts and baristas. I worked for Starbucks for a year, then quit due to my move and full time student status. I recently returned to Starbucks and was hired on as a shift. Starting wages in my area are 10.25. However, a shift can get raised up to 11.50 within three months... this info came straight from my manager's mouth. Also... a good friend of mine works for Starbucks in another city as a shift and makes 12.00 an hour. Anyways, I have only been back with the company for about a month now, and already my manager and DM have met with me and discussed opportunities for me to become an AM in the future... (6 months to be exact). There is room for growth in the company, it is up to the person to make it happen.

[spyboy]

Looking for answers to a couple of questions! I'm a SBUX outsider looking at potential asst. manager or store manager position. I have experience in music retail management and am currently an asst. manager for a home improvement retail outfit, working 50-60 hrs a week. SBUX appears to be a much better fit for my skill set than the position I'm in currently. I'm also yearning to work for a company that celebrates cultural diversity. This is definitely not a priority with the company I'm currently with.

Does SBUX hire managers from the outside?
Must one be an asst. manager before becoming a manager?

What is the pay range for asst. managers?...managers?

Thanks for any help on these questions.

[Sara]

I was just wondering what an assistants managers typical day would be like, what duties are performed and how the 8 week training is and what it entails? Thank you!!!

[Morgan]

Just wanted to say that as a shift lead I make over $20,000. This is after only one pay increase (the one to shift lead), and If you think about the people who have been in the company for long periods of time (i've only been here 9months), than it does make sense that the AVERAGE pay for hourly employees is $35,000. Don't just think about what you make, but the pay is different according to the standard of living. I'm sure I make more than someone in Alabama, and I know that If i moved from Orange County to San Fransisco I would get another pay increase. The other thing is that are higher concentrations of partners in larger, wealthier cities where in turn they make more money, so those partners may make up a bulk of the statistic. People in smaller places like the mid-west and the south account for the lower end of the average.

[Morgan]

One of starbucks core values is to "embrace cultural diversity." In your training and throughout your time with the company you will see and hear this probably more than you're wishing to right now! Starbucks sounds like a great place for you if this is something you believe in and stand for. As far as hireing from the outside, yes, starbucks does do this. You do not have to work from the bottom up, and it sounds like you have plenty of qualifying experience. Of course, hiring for store managers is dependant on the need of the district, and with lines of ASM's waiting for their own store to open, you may have to apply in more than one place. As far as salary, it depends on where you live. If i gave you a figure it would be based on the Southern California, Inland Empire average. It's higher in Orange County, and changes again as you move out and around, through the country. Go to a hiring fair in your area, or talk to the manager at the store you go to the most. They will me more than happy to give you all the information you need, and to answer any more questions you have about the company, as well as give you an average salary for you area.

[HK786]

How much do entry level baristas make per hour in Houston, Texas? Anyone?

I am a supervisor at Starbucks and have received 3 raises and I will not come close to making $30,000 this year.

[ili]

i want to know how much the starbucks managers make yearly.. any managers around?? who could answer it.. i just started working and i love it. i love going to work every single day.. would love to stick with it!!

[Angee]

Starbucks don't pay all that well. They give you a rise every 6 months but you get 30 cents or less, usually you get about 17 cents. Gas will be more than that in less than 6 months.

[Sbux for Roxy]

Staring salayr for a barista n daly city / ssf is $9.00 / hours + Tips.

[superp]

Looking to apply for a SM position in Western Canada. Does anyone know what kind of salary I can ask for? What kind of hours are expected? I have over 15 yrs experience in the food industry (front and back of house including management) and am returning to fulltime work after a stint as a part time waitress and stay at home mom. Any information would be much appreciated.

[Cinnamondolcelady]

Hey,
I recently applied for a barista postion. After my first interview I was asked to return for a SECOND INTERVIEW. What happens during the second interview? HELP! Does this mean I've basically gotten the job? Thanks for any advice/info.

[Cinnamondolcelady]

Hey,
I recently applied for a barista postion. After my first interview I was asked to return for a SECOND INTERVIEW. What happens during the second interview? HELP! Does this mean I've basically gotten the job? Thanks for any advice/info.

[pollo]

hey i have been invited to a hiring event for assistant store managers, store managers, and district managers. Has anyone gone through this process? is this the routine job fair or does this mean that i have been selected?

[Tom]

If you have exp you can make 30 to 35$ as an assistant manager with payed over time. Store Manager can expect about 38 to 47$ a year no payed overtime. A barista starts at around 7.00$ hr and Shifts start at 9.00 to 10.00 $ an hour. This is what you can expect i work for the company. Simple everyone keeps guessing at it above but this is what the pay is where i am.

[JobSeeker]

I recently applied for a SM position, and was sent a denial email the very next day. I have a Masters, recent experience in management/supervision, and over 10 years experience in retail/food service (though not in the past nine years.) With the obvious limited information I am providing, can anyone shed some light on to why I was not even considered for the position? Does anyone know the best way to get a SM position at SBUX? Any insight would be greatly appreciated! I really want to work for SBUX!

[Chuckles]

Charbucks fans... Get real! No company can exist for long trying to offer these kind of benefits to part-time employees. If all you can do is make lattes you won't be makin' any $30 thousand a year. BTY, no real barista would make a cappuccino with half foam!!! It won't be long before the almighty $'bucks has to fall in line with industry norms. Enjoy the par-time job, but get a degree and find a career.

[karen]

So Regardless of experience are baristas going to start most likely at minmum wage? Because I got a job there I start orientation soon and The manager never mentioned what the starting pay was...I am getting paid more that minimum wage at my current job and I have a lot of experience...

[sbuxgrrl]

Jobseeker,

The best way to get a job as a store manager at Starbucks is to start as a barista and work your way up. If you are truly qualified to be a store manager, then it will not take long. The reason you received a denial email the day after your application is that there were probably five or more current Starbucks assistant managers that also applied for that position. Those online postings are for internal people, too.

[JobSeeker]

SBUXGRRL,

Thank you so much for your response! I had figured that that was the reason. My husband and I cannot currently afford me to go from $45,000+/yr. to $9.00/hr., but we are working on a plan to make that happen in the near future. Thank you again!

[Rachelle]

hello...my name is rachelle and i would like someone to please email me back if they know if starbucks really reimburses tuition money for school...thank you..i would greatly appreciate it!

The starbucks tuition reimbursement is garbage. I had open availability (as in 7 days, open to close), and was still not scheduled for enough hours to get benefits. Without those hours, and benefit eligibility (and working there for 12 months), you can't apply to have a course approved (prior to taking it). After taking the course (while maintaining benefit eligibility), you apply for reimbursement (within a time frame). After e-mailing the tuition reimbursement dept, they told me that many baristas had received reimbursement, and were benefit-eligible. I e-mailed and said " great! How do you suggest I get more hours, since I've never (in 12 months) been scheduled for more than 20 per wk?" (and... no response. I have yet to hear from them).

Anyway, I don't think it's an honest policy... there's MUCH more to fulfilling their requirements than they advertise.

[Thanh]

Hi, I recently saw an ad in a store about the Starbucks Job Faire and I wanted to know what I need when I show up for the interview. I've never had a job before..so I'm scared if they ask about job experience, etc. Would I also need to bring a resume?What's the need for a resume if i don't have job exp anyways? Thank you for any advice.

[IIC Barista]

You don't need a resume. Starbucks is comfortable with being your first job. As long as you have a good work ethic and don't get worried about intense training. You'll be fine.

[IIC Barista]

I have a dilema that I need help with. I've been a faithful SBUX barista for a long time now, in a district that has exloped but is still trying to find its identity. Many baristas in the dozen or so stores know each other and are friends. Recently, there has been a very heated split in the district with many partners going over to Leased stores that pay twice as much as the corporate stores. What are your thoughts on the situation? Should I go with the herd or stay with the family?

[Kelle]

I was planning to pursue a job with Starbucks but after reading this forum...it is probably not a good move. I am in a very high stress job now and thought Starbucks would be fun but the pay cut would be huge. I would have to hire in as a assistant manager and it appears that couldn't happen.

[arielle]

I really want to apply at SB but I'm hesitent because I've heard that they only hire you if you're over like 18 or 20 years old. Is this true?

[Brenda]

no that is not true. usually managers will hire as young as 16, but im sure that depends on whatever laws are in place where you live.

[Ki]

Hi all...basically my interviewing started like this...dropped an application off and the mgr asked if I had any mgt exp and I said yes,so she called someone in upper mgt...and I went and interviewed with her..and then she sent me to one above her...yesterday I chatted and they are sending me to another one above them...don't have a title, but sounds good...does anyone out there know what this means? Prior I was a flight att. for a large airline and flew lead flight att. international. Great job, it just was move to NY or ATL or stay on the west...had to stay on the west...I am going nutts!!!!email me PLEASE if you have any idea what position I am interviewing for....thank you a zillion times!!!!! Muahhha! Ki kiley789stacey@yahoo.com

[Joshua]

Hey all,
I just wanted to say that people shouldn't work at starbucks if they don't want too.
It's an amazing job, and I don't know why there is so much complaining
this is a company and business built on legendary service and hospitality...not 6 figure amounts.
I know at my store in alberta...we all love our jobs...we help with the comunity and make peoples day.
what more could be done...and we make rent with money to spare...so i believe it is pretty sweet...
and if you were to stick with it, raises come into play, and you will be making much more than what was started.
So work your A** off and it will pay off in the end.
Just had to add that.

[ASM trainee]

I had to add my 2-cents to this discussion, because only a few people are well informed about what actually goes on. Many people are either bitter about past experiences and ill-informed about why they happened, or ranting about things they don't know about because they hate corporate america.

I am in-process of getting promoted to ASM at Starbucks. I work in California, in the LA area. I, too, applied for the position when I first applied at Starbucks, but due to an erratic work history, or so I was told, I wasn't hired. I took a position as a barista because I knew Starbucks was an environment I would love, and although I started out making $7-something an hour, I'm still in my early 20s and can handle eating ramen every so often. (To the person who applied that had a master's degree, you may have been overqualified, or that may just be an auto-response- I've gotten it before.)

Scheduling & benefits: after 3 months, working a minimum average of 20 hours per week, you get benefits. If you are not getting scheduled enough hours to get benefits, you need to talk to your SM or ASM, whoever is making the schedule (usually the SM). If you still aren't getting the hours you need, then you may need to change store because obviously your SM doesn't like you. Honestly, it has little or nothing to do with the schedule program. You ask your manager for more hours, and if s/he thinks you deserve them and you have the availability for more hours, then it should be no problem. And by deserve them, I mean being a hard worker.

Tuition reimbursement. Honestly I think this one needs help because you can only get $500 (I think you can get $1000 if you're in management, but I can't remember), but it will literally cover anything. True you have to get it approved, but generally that's not a problem. I've never heard of anyone actually getting rejected.

Working. You have to have a certain personality to work at Starbucks. I don't understand the people who apply to work in the service industry when they hate people. There are people I've worked with who hate the customers, and think they're a waste of time and energy. Wait, the reason Starbucks is here is to serve the customer. Not so you can sit around and drink free coffee, but so you can serve a customer and create the third place environment. More than that, you have to be willing and able to move quickly, you have to know drink recipes without thinking about them. During the morning rush, you have to be able get coffee, mark cups, grab the pastry for customers, as well as making sure coffee is brewed for the next customers, and the pastry case looks full. Clean sweep is irrelevant for store that aren't super busy, but it's a way of moving labor from floor to non coverage that makes it easier to pay for. It also dedicates a person to cleaning, deep scrubbing that you generally don't have time for during the day. Things like using spirit (kinda like bleach/comet liquid) on the sinks and drains, scrubbing out the bottom of the fridges (we have 7 in our store), cleaning coffee off the ceiling (I'm still not sure how this happens), cleaning the bathroom with more than just a mop. There's more, but you get the idea. Things like that need to get done weekly, but they're hard to do if you're assigned to register position.

Pay. The numbers above for hourly workers include the roasting plants, and corporate people and lots of other individuals beyond just baristas. Then there's the Baristas in England who make like $12-15 starting. I love exchange rates. ASMs are salaried as far as I know. I haven't gotten that for yet, but I could be wrong on that one. Reading this forum is the first time I've heard anything else. Every 6 months you get a Review, and based on your ratings, you get some kind of raise, or you don't.

When looking at those numbers though, you have to remember that there's more to Starbuck's than just the retail stores. There's the Roasting plants, the corporate offices in Seattle. There's regional offices all over the place. District managers, SMs, ASMs, Baristas are all the bottom of the food chain.

[Barista17]

About hiring young, yeah, I guess it depends on the laws of the country you're in. In Canada, its a minimum of 16 and that was when I was hired.

[CONNIE]

NO ONE PAYS GOOD ANYMORE. WHO DO THEY THINK THEIR FOOLING. DID THEIR CEO AND SO FORTH, VOTE FOR BUSH?

[t]

The 44K salary is gauged for a Store Manager. It is an average, considering where one lives and the cost of living. Remember it is the media sending out the salary average to the public. They can exagerate.