'Sustainable pay' | Costa Coffee splashes £8m on above-inflation pay rise for baristas - or about 1,839,081 flat whites

Costa Coffee is offering an above-inflation pay rise of 5% for its UK-based baristas, with over 15,000 employees set for a wage boost.

From 1 April 2025, entry-level baristas in 1,500 Costa-owned branches will see their hourly wage jump from £12 to £12.60, while rates for more experienced ‘Barista Maestros’ will rise from £12.33 to £12.93, with the potential to jump to £13.43 following the completion of a role-specific training scheme.

London-based staff will be entitled to an extra £1 an hour above the national averages, bringing pay rates to £13.60, £13.93, and £14.43 respectively.

Why is Costa Coffee going above and beyond with pay?

With the total cost reaching a steamy £8million – roughly 1,839,081 flat whites, in today’s money – the pay increase marks a substantial investment by Costa Coffee.