Baristas
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Baristas prepare and serve espresso coffee and other hot beverages to patrons in cafes, coffee shops, restaurants or dining establishments.
Tasks
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Prepares, serves and sells a variety of coffee beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos and other espresso-based beverages.
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Cleans and maintains bar service area, coffee-making area and espresso machine.
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Collects payment for sales and operates cash registers.
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Promotes services and products.
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Sells light snacks.
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Selects and grinds coffee.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Enterprising
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Light
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Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Bar Attendants and Baristas, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 31% of people employed as Baristas work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 35 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Baristas work in the Accommodation and food services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Baristas | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.5 | 31.6 |
VIC | 23.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 24.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.4 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.2 | 1.9 |
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Around 62% of Baristas live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Baristas is 24 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 20 to 24 years.
Females make up 68% of the workforce. This is 20 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Baristas | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 20.5 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 33.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 27.5 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 9.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 6.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 1.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 0.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 0.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 24 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Barista. Some workers have a certificate III in hospitality.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Tourism, Travel and Hospitality VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Baristas | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 12.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 9.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 14.2 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 43.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 11.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Bar Attendants and Baristas with good interpersonal skill, are well presented and provide good customer service.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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41%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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39%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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37%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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37%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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37%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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36%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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36%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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36%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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36%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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34%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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34%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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34%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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32%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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32%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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32%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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29%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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27%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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50%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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40%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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37%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
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33%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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33%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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31%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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27%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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25%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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25%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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25%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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23%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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18%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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18%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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18%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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17%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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16%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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15%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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13%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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13%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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10%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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50%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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46%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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45%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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45%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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39%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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39%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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37%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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37%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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37%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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36%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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36%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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30%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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70%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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65%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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63%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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54%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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52%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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52%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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51%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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48%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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48%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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47%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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43%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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43%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
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41%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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40%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
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40%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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38%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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36%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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36%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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34%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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32%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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67%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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67%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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52%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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48%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
Values
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62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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52%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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38%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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36%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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29%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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96%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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93%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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91%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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87%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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86%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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82%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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82%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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81%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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80%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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79%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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77%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
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73%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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68%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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68%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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68%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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67%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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67%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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64%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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64%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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63%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 35-3022.01 - Baristas.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.