The UK’s largest coffee chain announced a third consecutive annual pay rise for café staff across its 1,500 company-owned stores, with basic barista pay now starting from £12.60 ($15.86)
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Hourly pay for more experienced ‘Barista Maestros’ will rise from £12.33 ($15.52) to £12.93 ($16.28) | Photo credit: Costa Coffee
Costa Coffee is investing £8m ($10.1m) to increase pay for more than 15,000 employees at 1,500 company-owned stores in the UK.
Effective 1 April 2025, the starting national pay rate for Costa Coffee baristas will increase 5% from £12 ($15.11) per hour to £12.60 ($15.86). In a press release, Costa Coffee said the move is part of efforts to ensure employees continue to receive a sustainable pay rate that factors in the cost of living.
Hourly pay for more experienced ‘Barista Maestros’ will rise an average of almost 5% from £12.33 ($15.52) to £12.93 ($16.28), with those who complete role-specific training receiving £13.43 ($16.91).
Team members in central London will receive a £1 ($1.26) per hour above the national rate, bringing starting pay rates to £13.60 ($17.12) for baristas, £13.93 ($17.54) for Barista Maestros, and £14.43 ($18.17) once role-specific training has been completed, bringing the latter two roles above the £13.85 ($17.45) London Living Wage.
“Our expert baristas and dedicated store teams are the driving force behind everything we do. This latest pay increase reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in and supporting our people,” said Nick Orrin, Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Costa Coffee.
The pay rise follows a £15m ($18.8m) investment in staff pay increases in February 2024 and builds on Costa Coffee’s staff benefit package, which includes L&D training programmes, a 50% in-store employee discount, complimentary coffee while on shift and cost-of-living support in the form of discounts on household purchases and bills.
Founded in London in 1971, Costa Coffee is the UK’s largest branded coffee chain with 2,670 stores and 15,000 self-serve coffee machines. Company-operated stores comprise more than 55% of Costa Coffee’s UK store estate.