Employment data isn't available specifically for this occupation from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, so we are using the data from Fast Food and Counter Workers.

SUMMARY

What does this snowflake show?

The Snowflake is a visual summary of the five badges: Automation Risk (calculated), Risk (polled), Growth, Wages and Volume. It gives you an instant snapshot of an occupations profile. The colour of the Snowflake relates to its size. The better the occupation scores in relation to others, the larger and greener the Snowflake becomes.

JOB SCORE

4.0/10

What's this?

Job Score (higher is better):

We rate jobs using four factors. These are:

- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions

These are some key things to think about when job hunting.

Occupation snapshot

What does this snowflake show?

The Snowflake is a visual summary of the five badges: Automation Risk (calculated), Risk (polled), Growth, Wages and Volume. It gives you an instant snapshot of an occupations profile. The colour of the Snowflake relates to its size. The better the occupation scores in relation to others, the larger and greener the Snowflake becomes.

JOB SCORE

4.0/10

What's this?

Job Score (higher is better):

We rate jobs using four factors. These are:

- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions

These are some key things to think about when job hunting.

Risk & user votes

Calculated automation risk

66% (High Risk)

High Risk (61-80%): This occupation shows a significant risk of end-to-end replacement by automation. Many core parts of the role may be structured, repeatable, software-driven, or physically predictable enough for AI, machines, or robotic systems to take over. If you work in this area, it may be worth exploring safer related careers or moving towards more human-centred responsibilities.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Human strengths important in this job

These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.

Working directly with the public

Very important

Why this matters

The job involves face-to-face interaction with customers, clients, or guests—answering questions, handling requests, and managing service situations in real time. Roles with frequent public interaction are harder to replace end-to-end because they rely on trust, communication, and adapting to unpredictable human needs.

Jobs that also use this strength

What users think

Based on 127 votes

65% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted that it's probable this occupation will be automated. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 66% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that Baristas will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?

Highly likely

Moderate

Uncertain

Low

No chance

Sentiment

Based on user votes over time

View sentiment trend

How opinions have changed over time

Pay & outlook

Wages

Very low paid relative to other professions

In 2024, the median annual wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers was $30,480 ($15 per hour).

The median annual wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers was 38.4% lower than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Growth

Very fast growth relative to other professions

The number of 'Fast Food and Counter Workers' job openings is expected to rise 6.1% by 2034

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2023 and 2033
Updated projections are due 09-2025.

Volume

Significantly greater range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2024 there were 3,780,930 people employed as 'Fast Food and Counter Workers' within the United States.

This represents around 2.5% of the employed workforce across the country

Put another way, around 1 in 40 people are employed as 'Fast Food and Counter Workers'.

What people are saying (5)

Zak Cullen (No chance)

09 Jul 2025 15:27

The entire point of the experience is customer service.

kendall (Uncertain)

27 Mar 2024 22:54

Making coffee can be, and is already, made by machines. However, one thing that will be harder to automate is the human connection aspect. Sure there are people that just want a cup of coffee and to leave, however there are a lot of people that want the cafe experience.

Eden (Highly likely)

03 Oct 2022 20:15

the robots are coming for you, baristas

Ben (Uncertain)

31 Aug 2022 09:13

I think jobs with tasks that are completed using specific software are likely to be automated. For example, cashiers are likely to be replaced.

However, for fast food and restaurant workers, it depends on the future ability of robots to mimic and improve upon human dexterity. It also hinges on whether it is cheaper to use human labor or automation.

I think it’s possible those workers could be replaced, but I don’t see it happening any time soon. The cashier machine has already replaced humans at McDonald’s and Taco Bell, but the people making the food are still human.

I think it will continue that way for a bit longer.

James (Highly likely)

11 Sep 2021 17:26

Current Starbucks barista here, every change by management leans away from social interaction with customers and more into robot-like efficiency and speed.

Baristas

Explore safer careers (3)

At a glance