Beyond simply serving a diverse customer base, Starbucks brews its success from a rich blend of employees, where over half of the U.S. workforce are people of color and nearly three-quarters are women.
Key Takeaways
- 51.5% of the total Starbucks U.S. workforce identifies as people of color
- 71.3% of the total Starbucks U.S. workforce identifies as female
- 31.4% of Starbucks U.S. employees identify as Hispanic or Latino
- Starbucks achieved 100% pay equity for women and men performing similar work in the U.S.
- 100% pay equity for people of all races in the U.S. was achieved in 2018 and maintained
- 30% goal for people of color in corporate roles by 2025
- $1.5 billion spent with diverse suppliers since 2021
- 10% of total spend goal for diverse suppliers by 2025
- $914 million spent with diverse suppliers in fiscal year 2023
- 12 active Partner Networks (Employee Resource Groups) globally
- 100% of employees have access to the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (Arizona State University)
- 25,000+ employees have graduated from the Starbucks College Achievement Plan
- 98% score on the 2023 Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
- 100% score on the 2023 Disability Equality Index
- 3rd party civil rights assessment conducted annually since 2019
Starbucks workforce statistics show significant diversity across race, gender, and leadership roles.
Accountability and Culture
198% score on the 2023 Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
Verified2100% score on the 2023 Disability Equality Index
Verified33rd party civil rights assessment conducted annually since 2019
Verified44.5/5 rating on Glassdoor for Diversity and Inclusion from employees
Directional5Ranked #5 on Fortune's Most Admired Companies global list (2023)
Single source616% reduction in internal reports of discrimination since 2021
Verified7100% of new hires receive a handbook on inclusion and harassment policies
Verified824/7 ethics hotline availability for reporting bias incidents
Verified9100% of US retail stores provide clear signage for "Third Place" policy
Directional1085% of partners feel they can "be themselves" at work
Single source1192% of store managers feel equipped to handle diversity issues
Verified1210 corporate policies updated in 2022 to be more inclusive
Verified1350% of the Culture and Community team are dedicated to DEI programs
Verified141 starbucks "Inclusion Academy" launched in 2022 for employees
Directional150 retaliatory actions confirmed in 2023 for reporting DEI concerns
Single source1690/100 score on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index
Verified17100% of marketing materials reviewed for cultural sensitivity
Verified1875% of partners believe Starbucks is a leader in diversity
Verified1912% increase in the use of inclusive language in the workplace
Directional20100% of vendors must sign the Starbucks Code of Conduct
Single source213 key external DEI councils advise the CEO monthly
Verified2220% of store audits include a "Third Place" environment check
Verified23100% cloud-based accessibility tools provided to corporate staff
Verified2448% of employees in the "Future Leaders" program are people of color
Directional25350,000 partners worldwide covered by Global Human Rights statement
Single source26100% of U.S. stores are voter-ready via the "Starbucks Votes" initiative
Verified2760% of external recruits are from underrepresented groups
Verified2818 specific DEI commitments made in the 2020 Action Plan
Verified2995% completion rate for the annual Ethics & Compliance training
Directional305.2% increase in employee feeling of "belonging" in 2023
Single sourceAccountability and Culture Interpretation
Starbucks is serving up an impressively detailed latte of inclusion statistics, but the real proof will be in whether every customer and partner feels the warmth of that carefully crafted blend.
Employee Programs
112 active Partner Networks (Employee Resource Groups) globally
Verified2100% of employees have access to the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (Arizona State University)
Verified325,000+ employees have graduated from the Starbucks College Achievement Plan
Verified470% of SCAP graduates identify as female or person of color
Directional5100% of employees have access to "Lyra" mental health benefits
Single source620 sessions of free therapy provided per year to every employee and family member
Verified7100% coverage of gender-reaffirming surgery for U.S. employees since 2018
Verified81.5 million hours of DEI-related training completed by employees
Verified9$1,000 average grant given to employees through the Cup Fund for emergency financial aid
Directional10100% of Store Managers have access to the "Leadership Lab" inclusion modules
Single source1115% increase in participation in the Black Partner Network in 2023
Verified1230,000 partners enrolled in "To Be Welcoming" anti-bias curriculum
Verified13100% of store partners in North America completed the "Third Chapter" inclusion training
Verified1412 weeks of paid parental leave for birth parents
Directional156 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birth parents and adoptive parents
Single source16$10,000 reimbursement for adoption expenses for all employees
Verified17$40,000 for surrogacy medical expenses provided to employees
Verified182,000 mental health "champions" trained across the global organization
Verified1950% of the "Pride Network" members are in retail stores
Directional2080% satisfaction rate reported among diverse employees in the internal engagement survey
Single source2125 centers for excellence provided for transgender-inclusive care
Verified22100% pay for employees attending the 2018 day-long anti-bias training
Verified235,000 employees used the Spotify benefit to share inclusive music playlists
Verified2410% increase in the use of the "Employee Assistance Program" by POC employees
Directional257,000 partners participated in the 2023 Global Inclusion Summit
Single source26100% of the "Indigenous Partner Network" members have access to cultural leave
Verified2740% of the "Armed Forces Network" participants are spouses of active military
Verified2815% growth in the "Access Alliance" (disability ERG) in 2023
Verified29100% of U.S. employees can contribute to the "CUP Fund" via payroll deduction
Directional3012,000 partners utilized the Sick Time benefit for mental health reasons
Single sourceEmployee Programs Interpretation
The numbers tell a story of a company not just checking boxes but building a robust infrastructure of support—from funding degrees and surgeries to guarding mental health and family formation—that seems designed to tangibly improve the lives and prospects of its diverse workforce.
Leadership and Equity
1Starbucks achieved 100% pay equity for women and men performing similar work in the U.S.
Verified2100% pay equity for people of all races in the U.S. was achieved in 2018 and maintained
Verified330% goal for people of color in corporate roles by 2025
Verified440% goal for people of color in retail leadership by 2025
Directional530.6% of Starbucks executives (VP and above) are people of color
Single source654.3% of Starbucks executives (VP and above) are female
Verified739% of the Starbucks Board of Directors are female
Verified831% of the Starbucks Board of Directors identify as racially or ethnically diverse
Verified910% of executive annual incentive compensation is tied to DEI goals
Directional10median pay for female employees globally is 100% of male pay
Single source11100% of executive leaders have participated in unconscious bias training
Verified1242% of Director level roles are held by people of color
Verified1350% of the Starbucks senior leadership team is female
Verified14100% of job candidates for corporate roles must include a diverse slate
Directional1515% increase in Black representation at the VP level since 2020
Single source1612% increase in Hispanic representation at the Director level since 2021
Verified1780% of leadership vacancies are filled internally to promote diverse talent
Verified1820% of the audit of civil rights focus was on leadership accountability
Verified195 out of 11 board members are from underrepresented groups
Directional20100% transparency in reporting annual DEI statistics since 2020
Single source2125% of executive bonuses depend on inclusion outcomes
Verified2267% of international market leads are local nationals
Verified2344% of global store operations leadership is female
Verified2433% of legal team leadership identifies as diverse
Directional25100% of US interns come from a diverse recruitment pipeline
Single source2655% of the board's nominations committee are women
Verified272.1% pay gap reduced to 0% for gender in the UK
Verified2810 senior leaders are designated as diversity champions
Verified2948% of the global product development team is female
Directional3038% of senior management in the China market are women
Single sourceLeadership and Equity Interpretation
Starbucks has brewed a remarkably detailed and accountable diversity report, though one might wryly note that the sheer volume of metrics suggests they’re measuring the coffee beans and the entire farm.
Supplier and Community
1$1.5 billion spent with diverse suppliers since 2021
Verified210% of total spend goal for diverse suppliers by 2025
Verified3$914 million spent with diverse suppliers in fiscal year 2023
Verified410,000 refugees hired globally by 2022 goal reached
Directional530,000 veterans and military spouses hired since 2013
Single source6$100 million invested in the Starbucks Community Resilience Fund
Verified71,000+ community stores opened in underserved areas
Verified8$5 million donated to the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Verified9100% of coffee is ethically sourced through C.A.F.E. Practices
Directional10400,000 farmers supported through diversity programs in the supply chain
Single source11$20 million invested in the Origin Community Investment fund for women and girls
Verified1215% of the total supplier base is owned by women
Verified138% of the total supplier base is owned by Black entrepreneurs
Verified147% of the total supplier base is owned by Hispanic entrepreneurs
Directional15$25 million committed to small business loans for POC-owned businesses
Single source1650 community stores provide free classroom space for local non-profits
Verified17100% of U.S. stores are accessible to people with disabilities
Verified181 million women and girls reached through Starbucks Foundation grants
Verified19$1.3 million given to local food banks to address food insecurity in diverse neighborhoods
Directional202,500 refugee hires in Europe as of 2023
Single source2150% of the Starbucks Foundation Board are people of color
Verified22$500,000 allocated to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
Verified2330% of the coffee farmers in the mentorship program are women
Verified2415 specific grants awarded to Tribal communities in 2023
Directional25200 partner-led community service projects funded in 2023
Single source2665% of the Neighborhood Grant recipients serve minority populations
Verified2710 inclusive design standards implemented in new stores
Verified2845% of total grant funding goes to organizations focused on racial equity
Verified29$10 million donated to disaster relief in diverse global regions
Directional3012% increase in the number of diverse suppliers since 2020
Single sourceSupplier and Community Interpretation
This coffee giant’s staggering diversity report reads like a corporate manifesto that finally decided to put its money—and its supply chain—where its mouth is.
Workforce Demographics
151.5% of the total Starbucks U.S. workforce identifies as people of color
Verified271.3% of the total Starbucks U.S. workforce identifies as female
Verified331.4% of Starbucks U.S. employees identify as Hispanic or Latino
Verified48.1% of the U.S. workforce at Starbucks identifies as Black or African American
Directional56.2% of the U.S. workforce at Starbucks identifies as Asian
Single source64.9% of the U.S. employee base identifies as Multiracial
Verified70.5% of the U.S. workforce identifies as American Indian or Alaskan Native
Verified80.4% of the U.S. workforce identifies as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Verified937.8% of Starbucks retail store managers in the U.S. are people of color
Directional1068.2% of Starbucks retail store managers in the U.S. are female
Single source1148.5% of the Starbucks U.S. workforce identifies as white
Verified1214% of Starbucks employees are over the age of 40
Verified1324% of Starbucks employees identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community
Verified1410% of Starbucks employees are veterans or from military families
Directional15Starbucks employs individuals from over 45 different nationalities globally
Single source1622% of corporate employees identify as Asian
Verified1754% of entry level baristas identify as people of color
Verified1841% of shift supervisors identify as people of color
Verified193% of employees identify as having a disability according to voluntary disclosure
Directional2028% of the workforce is Gen Z as of 2023 data
Single source2135% of the workforce is Millennial
Verified2272% of the total global workforce is female
Verified2325% of the international leadership team is female
Verified2419% of the U.S. manufacturing team identifies as Black
Directional2512% of the U.S. distribution center workforce identifies as Hispanic
Single source2611% average tenure for diverse employees in corporate roles is 4.2 years
Verified275% of the workforce are international students on work visas in the UK
Verified2860% of workforce in urban centers identify as People of Color
Verified29female representation in China operations is 55%
Directional3040% of the executive team in the EMEA region are women
Single sourceWorkforce Demographics Interpretation
While Starbucks' workforce is a vibrant tapestry that largely reflects America's diversity, the threads of opportunity—particularly in leadership and specialized roles—still show a pattern where the picture of who serves the coffee and who steers the company are painted from a noticeably different palette.
Sources & References
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- Reference 9DISABILITYINdisabilityin.orgVisit source
- Reference 10GLASSDOORglassdoor.comVisit source
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- Reference 12BLOOMBERGbloomberg.comVisit source