This Is What Starbucks Employees Really Get Paid

A fair salary is just the tip of the iceberg.

A Starbucks employee demonstrates the preparation of a cup of coffee during a media tour of the new shop in Bogota, Colombia, . The three-floor coffee house in Bogota is the first of 50 that the Seattle-based company plans to open here in the next five yearsFernando Vergara/ShutterstockWe all love Starbucks for their tasty coffee, friendly atmosphere, and the ever-changing rotation of Instagram-worthy unicorn drinks. But your admiration for the company shouldn’t stop and end there. The chain is socially conscious (they sell the most ethically sourced coffee in the industry) and treats its employees just as well as it treats its caffeine-craving customers.

According to Glassdoor, baristas at Starbucks typically make between $10 and $15 an hour. But hourly wages are hardly what makes this company so great to work for. Starbucks also offers healthcare benefits for both part- and full-time workers, along with 401(k) matching, and discounted stock options for company shares. Employees even get full tuition coverage through Arizona State University’s online degree program. That’s a great salary, great benefits, and the opportunity to get a great education on someone else’s dime.

Starbucks is also, unsurprisingly, a magical place for coffee addicts. Employees get a 30 percent discount on in-store and online purchases, as well as one free pound of coffee, a box of K-cups, or packs of tea a week. One writer at theodysseyonline.com wrote that she also got three free drinks and one free food item each shift. If you ever get a deal like that, you’ll want to know the healthiest drink on the Starbucks menu (and no, it’s not black coffee or tea).

Don’t expect us to spill all of Starbucks’ secrets though. For that, check out the 13 things Starbucks employees won’t tell you.