Costa Coffee, The Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop, has announced that it will increase pay from 1 April 2026 for over 16,000 team members in its 1,500 UK company-owned stores. This is the seventh pay increase for store team members since 2021.
This £7m investment increases the pay for Costa Coffee Baristas to £13.12 per hour, up from £12.60 per hour. This investment is part of Costa Coffee’s ongoing commitment to its team members, ensuring they continue to receive a sustainable and competitive pay rate.
The company’s more experienced Barista Maestros, who are team leaders and coffee trainers, will see their hourly pay increase from between £12.93 and £13.43 to £13.75. Costa Coffee Store Managers will see an overall 3% pay increase.
Team members in Central London will receive an extra £1 per hour than the national rate, bringing their rate to £14.12 per hour for Baristas and £14.75 per hour for Barista Maestros.
Costa Coffee does not operate age-bandings, so all 16,000 hourly-paid UK-based team members in company-owned stores will receive a pay increase, with targeted bonuses also offered to high performing store teams.
Announcing the pay rise, Costa Coffee’s UK&I Managing Director, Nick Orrin, said: “Our talented Baristas and team members are the heart of Costa Coffee, with every drink shaped by their expertise, skill and passion. This latest pay uplift reflects our ongoing commitment to recognise, reward and invest in the people who deliver great coffee experiences and daily rituals for our customers across the UK.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “It’s fantastic to hear that Costa Coffee are recognising and supporting their hard-working staff with this pay increase. Hard work should be rewarded, which is why from April, our increase to the National Living Wage will benefit 2.4 million people, with full-time workers on the National Living Wage being £900 a year better off.”
This announcement builds on Costa Coffee’s comprehensive benefits, including:
- Expanded share incentive plan: Team members have access to a buy-one-get-one-free share incentive plan.
- Enhanced discounts: 50% in-store employee discount
- Comprehensive support: Wide-ranging discounts on household purchases, bills, and entertainment, up to 10% matching on pension contributions, income protection, life assurance, and a cycle-to-work scheme.
- Complimentary coffee: Team members enjoy free Costa coffee while on shift.
- Financial support: Through a partnership with the Retail Trust, team members can access the Costa Financial Support Fund for unexpected or urgent financial pressures.
Costa Coffee is continually recruiting for full- and part-time roles, as well as seasonal opportunities, across the UK and Ireland. For a list of current openings, please visit:
https://www.costacareers.co.uk/search-and-apply/
