Oregon's Coffee Shops Continue to Perk Up

Employment and wage data are classified according to the North American Industry Classification System, or NAICS, and coffee shops and stands are classified in the snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry. This industry includes other establishments serving items such as donuts, pretzels, ice cream, and frozen yogurt. In 2018, there were 1,370 establishments in this category with an annual average employment of 15,232. About half of these establishments were located in the Portland metro area (i.e., Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill counties). Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars are a component of the larger food services and drinking places industry.

Though snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars is a small industry, comprising less than 1 percent of total statewide employment, it is a growing industry. Growth in both the number of establishments and employment in the industry has outpaced the average rate of growth for all industries. From 2001 to 2018, the industry’s employment more than doubled in Oregon, whereas total employment for all industries increased by 20 percent. Similarly, the number of establishments increased by 90 percent compared with 40 percent for all industries. Growth at snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars has also outpaced the larger food services and drinking places industry.

Coffee and tea manufacturing – an industry closely tied to coffee shops – relies on quality products to succeed. Though some coffeehouses roast their own beans, there are several coffee roasters throughout the state from Portland down to Ashland, and east in Sisters, Bend, and Pendleton. The coffee and tea manufacturing industry in the state has steadily increased from nine business units employing 440 individuals in 2001 to 75 units employing 1,192 in 2018. The average annual pay for the industry in 2018 was $46,333, which is higher than the average for coffee shops, but lower than the all-industry average.

To learn more, read workforce analyst Ainoura Oussenbec's full article here.