How Much Does a Bikini Barista Make Anyways?
And how does that wage compare to that of a fully clothed barista?
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on May 24, 2011 at 12:38PM
15 Comments
I’ve always wondered if the motivation for wearing a bathing suit while pulling espresso shots resided in the paycheck. Wondered, that is, until I saw this Craigslist ad for a bikini barista position in Everett, the very city where five bikini baristas were charged with prostitution back in 2009.
Here’s what the ad says:
“Looking for a bikini barista in the Everett area. $9.00 per hour. Must have experience and great customer service. Needed all different days, including weekends. Please email me your resume along with pictures and phone number to get in contact with you.”
So…$9 an hour. Compare that to the average wage of a Starbucks barista: $8.64, according to Glassdoor.com. (That drops to $8.33 if you filter for less than one year of experience). For 36 cents less you get to work while clothed? Given our chilly climate that seems like something of a no-brainer.
Ah, but there is the matter of the tip jar to consider.
PS: Yes, I know that one bikini barista wage does not add up to representative sample. It’s still, um, revealing.
Tags: News, Coffee Buzz, Everett
Any idea about the benefits each camp provide?
Hi Rick,
Starbucks baristas are eligible for benefits after they’ve been with the company for a certain time. I’ll let you know if I hear back on the matter from the many local bikini barista operations I’ve contacted today.
And if any current or former bikini baristas are reading this, please let us know!
Heard back from one! Lusty Latte, which is currently hiring a bikini barista for its Montlake Terrace location along with “several people to help run bikini and wet tshirt car wash days,” says “wage DOE” and “no benefits.”
What a waste of a twitter link. To have an ‘article’ about how much the bikini baristas make without referencing tips and using a craigslist ad as your baseline is ludicrous.
Come on “Really?” This article rocks! It’s the only thing everyone will read today.
I think the answer lies in the wads of tips they carry home.
how much do bikini baristas average in tips per shift? I am thinking not too much? Does anyone have an idea or knkow one?
Ryan,
I’ve got a query in with the Lusty Latte. Called many bikini barista spots, but the phone just rings and rings.
Any bikini baristas out there who can weigh in?
According to this article, they make up to $200 a day in tips:
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/news/111632414.html
I have a question?
Who gave you permission to use and post Cowgirls Espresso employees and then slap them in the face and have a negative article about Bikini baristas when Cowgirls espresso has been working hard to keep a clean and positive name in this industry for over 11 years now?
How about some respect? Lusty Latte? come on do you homework they have been in business since March…2011 yes 2 months.
No more cute girl image, sorry everybody. I know how you like those.
The difference is obviously in the tips. Geez Jess, can you at least make a small attempt to hide your childish jealousy/hatred?
I have been a bikini barista for around 3 months now. I keep track of all my credit card tips, cash tips, and paychecks and make roughly $3000-$4000 a month. It you’re smart with your money it’s an excellent job.
And I’ve been a regular barista at Starbucks across the country. As a regular barista, working 30 hours a week, I was lucky to clear $1200 a month! It is a low-paying job. Fun, but doesn’t pay well at all.
I’ll weigh in for you. I own a bikini espresso stand and sadly we don’t make a huge profit; therefore we only pay our girls minimum wage, but they take home about $300-400 in tips per week if they are friendly (not indiscreet, friendly). We run a very up and up stand, meaning the girls sell coffee, smiles, and maybe a flirt….nothing else. There are no benefits. We don’t make the kind of profits that Starbucks make, so we can’t offer all kinds of benefit packages and stuff. However, the girls like working there are fine wearing bikini’s and know that this is a minimum wage type job.
Its really all in the tips and the location, like any other business.