Barley Roaster
How to Become a

Barley Roaster

The complete career guide to be a Barley Roaster: salary, job growth, employers, best schools, and education you may need to get started.

Why We Love It

  • $30,320
    Potential Avg. Salary
  • 1.1%
    Job Growth Rate
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook
  • Growing Industry
    Career Attribute

A barley roaster makes sure that all equipment is functioning smoothly to produce roasted barley product in keeping with deadlines and customer requirements.

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What is a Barley Roaster?

Duties

Here are the duties of a barley roaster:

  • Oversee controls for gas-fired ovens to roast the barley, from adjusting temperatures to turning the ignition switch on and off.
  • At the end of cycle, shut the gas oven and begin cooling the roasted barley with water valves.
  • Ensure that roasted barley is transferred to cooler tubs, on conveyors to the cleaning equipment.
  • Follow applicable safety and hygiene guidelines; wear personal protective gear when required.
  • Coordinate with team members on day to day communication and process updates, such as work requests, shift meetings, emails and action logs.

Day In The Life

Most barley roasting operations run 365 days per year, all day long. This is why the job can be extremely hectic with long shifts each day to operate the controls for barley malt production equipment. As a barley roaster, you will be a member of the team that keeps a close watch on daily operations involved in roasting barley, e.g. steeping the grains, adding them to the germination boxes and then kilning. While this takes place, it is up to you to ensure that all hygiene standards are adhered to, including guidelines for good manufacturing practices.

You will also monitor the temperature of the air so the barley is roasted to perfection and keep track of the duration of each step of the process. The type of barley, the geographical location, storage conditions and the climate during the time of harvest, all play a role in how you handle the barley.

Work Schedule

The work schedule of a barley roaster could be hectic, with 12 hour shifts in rotation along with other members on the team. Shifts are usually comprised of holidays, weekends, day shift, night shift, overtime and emergencies. The physical demands of the position can be taxing for some individuals – this may include but is not limited to lifting and moving up to 50 pounds of product, and working in wet or dusty conditions.

Growth Of The Job

The career prospects for barley workers has continued to expand with rising demand for related food items, that use barley as a vital ingredient, e.g. dark beer and signature beet. The barley grain plays an important role in the food and drink supply chain. Products derived from barley malt for instance, are in demand on a global scale. It is of course known for its use in beer and whiskey but it is also present in other items like sauces, cereals, pickles and desserts. From the position of a barley roaster, you can be promoted to the post of Barley or Malt Operator, Line Manager, Barley Purchaser, and Health and Safety Manager.

Typical Employers

Major employers of barley roasters include agricultural or food processing companies that process barley or malt and supply a specialty of roasted grains.  Brewing supplies warehouses also hire barley roasters to create an extensive range of premium products and ingredients that contribute to the production of beer and wine. Very rarely do barley roasters have independent businesses as this function is integrated into larger operations as a line worker or manager role. Take a look at companies like Great Western Malting, Malteurop, Anheuser-Busch and Cargill for potential job opportunities.

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How To Become a Barley Roaster

You do not need to have a higher education to work as a barley roaster, just a high school degree is sufficient. However, gaining a certification is an advantage when looking for employment in the field. In addition, you must be trustworthy, comfortable working in a team setting and have a high attention to detail. Due to the modernisation of plant facilities, having reliable software skills such as MS office, excel, word, email, SAP, etc. will be effective for operating various production units and setting system controls.

In recent times, there are private companies that are now providing graduate programs or diplomas in malt or barley production. Such trainee-ships take up to 15-18 months, where you will gain insight into making and delivering high quality barley. Alternatively, you could complete an internship with a malt production plant or a food processing factory to get acquainted with the work environment and the responsibilities a barley roaster has. This will give you a first-hand sense of the process equipment, troubleshooting measures and how to conduct repairs for ground level mechanical issues.


Barley Roaster Salary Data

We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.

National Anual Salary

Low Range

$22,180

Average

$30,320

High Range

$46,960

National Hourly Wage

Low Range

$11/hr

Average

$15/hr

High Range

$23/hr

How do Barley Roaster salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Barley Roaster's can make an average annual salary of $30,320, or $15 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $22,180 or $11 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.

Salary Rankings And Facts

  • #696 Nationally for All Careers


Highest Education Among Barley Roasters

  • 0%   Doctorate
  • 1.6%   Masters
  • 7.3%   Bachelors
  • 7.4%   Associates
  • 24%   College
  • 42.2%   High School
  • 17.5%   Less than High School

Job Growth Projections and Forecast

2014 Total Jobs

18,500

2024 Est. Jobs

18,700

Job Growth Rate

1.1%

Est. New Jobs

200

How does Barley Roaster job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 200 jobs for a total of 18,700 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 1.1% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.

Growth Rankings And Facts

  • #575 Nationally for All Careers


What Companies Employ The Most Barley Roasters

Industry Current Jobs New Jobs Needed % Increase
Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing 4,100 -100 0%
Other food manufacturing 2,700 100 0%
Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty food manufacturing 2,500 -100 0%

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