Manufacturing & Production

Coffee Roaster

SOC 51-3092.00 · ESCO 7514 · OSCA 831133

REA INV ART SOC ENT CON This role See your match →

Role snapshot

Overview

Roasts green coffee beans by precisely controlling time and temperature profiles, evaluating aroma, colour, and taste to achieve consistent flavour across batches. This role is central to developing and maintaining the unique taste characteristics of a coffee brand.

Ensures the quality, consistency, and unique flavor profiles of roasted coffee, directly influencing customer satisfaction and brand reputation for coffee businesses.

On the job

  • Operate and maintain commercial coffee roasting equipment, including loading, monitoring, and unloading beans.
  • Develop, adjust, and execute roast profiles based on green bean characteristics, desired flavor, and customer specifications.
  • Conduct quality control checks, including sensory evaluation (cupping) and visual inspection of roasted coffee.
  • Manage green bean inventory, ensuring proper storage, rotation, and traceability.
  • Perform routine cleaning and preventative maintenance on roasting machinery and the production area.
Coffee Roaster at work

Tools & technology

Commercial coffee roasters (e.g., Loring, Probat, Diedrich)Moisture metersDensimetersColorimeters (Agtron, Colortrack)Cupping spoons and bowlsRoasting software (e.g., Cropster, Artisan)

Average salary

$55K
MEDIAN SALARY Annual · USD
$40K Bottom 10%
$70K Top 10%

Job outlook

Stable

Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.

Education & training

Typically requires vocational training, a specialized certificate or diploma in coffee roasting, or significant on-the-job experience.

Career pathways

WHERE YOU COULD GO

Lead Roaster
Roastery Manager

CURRENT ROLE

Coffee Roaster

Manufacturing & Production

ADJACENT MOVES

Green Coffee Buyer
Production Assistant
Barista
Coffee Quality Control Technician

STARTING POINTS

Who thrives here

Interest profile

R

realistic · RCE

Individuals who enjoy hands-on work with machinery, precise procedures, and a systematic approach to crafting a tangible product often thrive in this role.

Personality characteristics

Conscientious

Demonstrates high attention to detail and a methodical approach, crucial for consistent roast quality and precision.

Practical

Enjoys working with physical equipment and materials, with a focus on tangible results.

Experimentative

Curious about new techniques and willing to test different roast profiles to achieve optimal flavors.

Composed

Maintains calm and focus under pressure, especially when monitoring delicate roasting processes.

Analytical

Applies logical thinking to analyze roast data, sensory feedback, and troubleshoot issues.

Best for

  • Individuals who enjoy a blend of technical operation, sensory evaluation, and creative product development.
  • Those who thrive in a structured environment where precision and consistency are paramount.
  • People passionate about coffee and dedicated to perfecting its flavor.

Watch out for

  • The work environment can be hot and noisy, requiring tolerance for industrial conditions.
  • Production schedules may sometimes require occasional weekend work or early starts.

A week in the life

A representative working week for a Coffee Roaster — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.

8am9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm4pm5pm6pm
Mon
Equipment Setup & Daily Checks
Production Roasting - Batch 1
Roast Profile Analysis & Data Entry
Routine Equipment Cleaning
Tue
Production Roasting - Batch 2
Production Roasting - Batch 3
Wed
Green Bean Inventory & Receiving
Cupping & Sensory Evaluation
New Roast Profile Development
Thu
Production Roasting - Batch 4
Production Roasting - Batch 5
Fri
Production Roasting - Batch 6
Weekly Production Reports
Preventative Maintenance & Deep Cleaning
Deep work Meeting External Social Admin

FREE ASSESSMENT

Does Coffee Roaster fit you?

Measure your personality and interests, then see how this career ranks against 1,300+ others — for you personally.

Take the free assessment →