Job prospects Barista in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "barista" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 65201) in British Columbia for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

The accommodation and food and sector has a high rate of employee turnover relative to other sectors.

Recruiting and retaining employees at all levels is a challenge for food service employers.

Restaurants Canada third quarter report showed that the guest count in restaurants in B.C. was almost 70% lower in summer of 2024 compared to the summer of 2023. The association cites the high cost of food and labour as some of the main challenges currently facing the sector.

Employment opportunities are influenced by consumer spending levels and the strength of the economy.  Discretionary spending is expected increase in mid-2025. Lower interest rates will bring some relief to B.C. households, which are typically heavy in debt. 

Here are some key facts about Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations in British Columbia:

• Approximately 52,800 people work in this occupation.
• Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 74%
  • Food and beverage stores (NAICS 445): 6%
  • Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 39% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 61% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 34% of food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations work all year, while 66% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 35% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 65% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 26% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 47% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 10% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "barista" Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 65201) or across Canada.

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