Which U.S. Jobs Drink the Most Coffee? New Data

Ever wondered if your job makes you more likely to rely on coffee just to get through the day? Or how your morning brew habit compares to professionals across the U.S.? A well-known 2015 survey asked nearly 5,000 American workers exactly that—and the results might just confirm your coffee dependency isn’t unique.

Nearly 62% of American workers reported drinking coffee every day. Some professions, like food preparers, health aides, and transportation workers, ranked among the highest daily consumers, with over 75% admitting to regular coffee intake. Office-based jobs also showed strong daily coffee habits, especially among engineers and educators.

The Original Survey: Who Drank the Most Coffee?

In 2015, the American doughnut chain Dunkin’ Donuts partnered with the career website CareerBuilder to survey nearly 5,000 U.S. workers across industries. The goal? To uncover how many professionals rely on coffee, which jobs drank the most, and how coffee fits into the workday routine.

Survey respondents included full-time employees from a wide range of sectors—office workers, healthcare staff, manual laborers, educators, and service industry roles. Participants were asked about their daily coffee consumption habits, preferred times for drinking coffee, and how coffee impacted their productivity and focus.

How Many Americans Drink Coffee Daily?

The survey found that a solid majority of American workers—62%—drink coffee every single day. That’s over 3 in 5 people relying on coffee as part of their routine. Among these daily drinkers, many reported having their first cup before 8 a.m., with some starting as early as 5 or 6 a.m. to kickstart their workday.

This daily ritual wasn’t limited to office workers. Respondents from physically demanding or high-stress jobs—like healthcare support, food services, and transportation—showed particularly high rates of daily consumption, often citing the need for caffeine to stay alert during long or irregular hours.

Which Jobs Drink the Most Coffee?

Certain professions stood out for their particularly high coffee consumption:

• Food Preparers & Servers (78%): Often working early mornings or late shifts, this group relied heavily on coffee to stay awake and energized.
• Healthcare Support Workers (76%): Nurses’ aides and similar roles reported using coffee to manage long shifts and intense workloads.
• Transportation Workers (75%): Drivers, delivery personnel, and similar roles depended on coffee to fight fatigue during long hours on the road or on their feet.
• Engineers & Mechanics (65%): Technical problem-solving roles involved focused work often supported by regular caffeine intake.
• Teachers & Educators (64%): Classroom demands and early starts made coffee a daily teaching tool for many.

Office professionals, including administrative staff and executives, also reported high daily use, though slightly lower than the top-consuming roles. Overall, the more physically or mentally demanding the job, the more likely workers were to cite coffee as essential.

Why These Professions Drink More Coffee

Workers in these roles often cited several key reasons for heavy coffee consumption:

• Staying Alert: Especially in shift work or overnight roles, coffee helped combat drowsiness.
• Energy for Long Hours: Healthcare, food service, and transportation roles often involved long, irregular shifts without breaks.
• Mental Focus: Engineers, educators, and analysts used coffee to maintain concentration during complex tasks.
• Routine & Comfort: For many, coffee was a deeply embedded work habit, offering a brief pause or a comforting ritual amid busy days.

While the survey didn’t measure exact intake amounts, the frequency highlighted coffee’s role as a functional beverage for performance, not just pleasure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of American workers drink coffee daily according to the 2015 survey?

About 62% of the nearly 5,000 surveyed U.S. workers reported drinking coffee every day. This figure reflects a strong habitual use of coffee across various job types and industries.

Which jobs drink the most coffee according to the survey?

The top coffee-consuming jobs were food preparers and servers (78%), healthcare support workers (76%), and transportation workers (75%). These roles often involve early starts, long shifts, or physically demanding tasks, making coffee a key part of staying alert.

Do office workers drink as much coffee as other professionals?

Yes, many office-based roles such as engineers, educators, and executives also reported high coffee consumption, though generally slightly less than the top three fields. Office workers still ranked among the daily users, often citing mental focus and routine as key drivers.

Why do certain jobs rely more on coffee than others?

Jobs with long hours, early starts, physical labor, or high mental demand—such as healthcare, transport, and education—tend to have higher coffee usage due to the need for sustained alertness, energy, and focus throughout the day.

Was the coffee consumption linked to specific times of day?

Yes, many respondents reported drinking coffee early in the morning, often before 8 a.m., with some starting as early as 5 or 6 a.m. to prepare for their workday.

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