### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bakers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			bakers imageBakers make a variety of breads and baked goods.							
						Quick Facts:     Bakers2023     Median Pay
            						$34,950     per year
										$16.80     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    No formal educational credentialWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    218,800Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    5% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    10,800What Bakers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Bakers mix ingredients according to recipes in order to make breads, pastries, and other baked goods.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most bakers work in retail or commercial bakeries (manufacturing facilities), grocery stores or wholesale club stores, and restaurants. Work shifts often include early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
            
                                                How to Become a Baker
                                                
                        
Although bakers typically need no formal educational credential, employers may prefer or require that candidates have a high school diploma. Some choose to attend a technical or culinary school. They typically learn their skills through on-the-job training, which may include participating in an apprenticeship program.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for bakers was $34,950 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of bakers is projected to grow							 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 33,800 openings for bakers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bakers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bakers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about bakers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Bakers Do 
            

			BakersBakers prepare various types of baked goods.			
Bakers mix ingredients according to recipes in order to make breads, pastries, and other baked goods.
Duties
Bakers typically do the following:
Prepare workstation for baking
Measure and weigh ingredients
Combine measured ingredients in mixers or blenders
Knead, roll, cut, and shape dough
Prepare and fill pans, molds, or baking sheets
Set oven temperatures and place items into ovens
Monitor baking process and adjust oven temperature or item positioning as neededBakers produce breads, pastries, and other baked goods sold by grocers, wholesalers, restaurants, and institutional food services. Standard procedure for each batch includes checking the condition of ingredients, following instructions for recipes, and examining the quality of the final product.
The following are examples of types of bakers:
***Commercial bakers***, also called*production bakers,* work in manufacturing facilities that produce breads, pastries, and other baked products. In these facilities, bakers use high-volume mixing machines, ovens, and other equipment, which may be automated, to mass-produce standardized baked goods. They often work with other production workers, such as helpers and maintenance staff, to keep equipment cleaned and ready.
***Retail bakers***work primarily in grocery stores and specialty shops, including bakeries. In these settings, they produce small quantities of baked goods for people to eat in the shop or for sale as specialty items. Retail bakers may take orders from customers, prepare baked products to order, and occasionally serve customers. Most retail bakers are also responsible for cleaning their work area and equipment and unloading supplies.
Some retail bakers own bakery shops where they make and sell breads, pastries, pies, and other baked goods. In addition to preparing the baked goods and overseeing the entire baking process, they are also responsible for hiring, training, and supervising their staff. They must budget for and order supplies, set prices, and decide how much to produce each day.
 Work Environment
			BakersBakers stand for extended periods while they prepare dough.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Bakers held about 218,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of bakers were as follows:
        Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing
                32%Restaurants and other eating places
                26Grocery and specialty food retailers
                25Self-employed workers
                4Special food services
                2The work can be stressful because bakers must maintain consistent quality while following time-sensitive baking procedures, often under deadline.
Bakers are exposed to high temperatures when working around hot ovens. They stand for long periods while observing the baking process, making the dough, or cleaning the equipment.
Injuries and Illnesses
Bakeries, especially large manufacturing facilities, have potential dangers such as hot ovens, mixing machines, and dough cutters. Although their work is generally safe, bakers may experience back strain from lifting heavy items, as well as cuts, scrapes, and burns. To reduce risk of injury, bakers often wear back supports and heat-resistant aprons and gloves.
Work Schedules
Most bakers work full time, although part-time work is common. Schedules may vary and often include early morning, night, weekend, or holiday shifts. Some facilities operate around the clock.
 How to Become a Baker

			BakersOn-the-job training is the most common method of learning for bakers.			
Bakers typically need no formal educational credential to enter the occupation; however, employers may prefer or require that candidates have a high school diploma, and some candidates choose to attend a technical or culinary school. Bakers typically learn their skills through on-the-job training, which may include participating in an apprenticeship program.
Education
High school students interested in becoming a baker may benefit from enrolling in culinary classes, if available, at their school.
Postsecondary options include attending a technical, culinary arts, or baking program that covers topics such as nutrition, food safety, and pastry techniques. Enrollees may be required to have a high school diploma or equivalent to enter these programs, which typically last 1 to 2 years.
Training
Most bakers learn their skills through on-the-job training. The length of training varies but may last up to 1 year. Some employers provide apprenticeship programs for aspiring bakers, which may take months or years to complete.
Training or apprenticeship programs cover topics such as baking and decorating techniques, production processes, and food safety.
Other Experience
Some bakers learn their skills through work experience related to baking. For example, they may start as a baker’s assistant and progress to becoming a baker as they take on more responsibility and refine their technique.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Employers may require candidates to obtain certification in food safety procedures. Check with your state or local health department for certification information.
Optional certification may demonstrate a level of competence and experience that makes candidates more attractive to employers.
For example, Retail Bakers of America offers certification for several levels of competence, with a focus on topics such as baking sanitation, management, retail sales, and staff training. Those who wish to become certified must satisfy requirements for education and experience before taking an exam. Other organizations may offer credentials for specific skills, such as the American Culinary Federation’s pastry chef certifications.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Bakers must be able to convey information effectively to other workers or to customers.
***Detail oriented.*** Bakers must follow recipes and instructions precisely. They also should have an eye for detail because many pastries and cakes require intricate decorations.
***Math skills.*** Bakers need basic math skills, especially knowledge of fractions, in order to mix recipes, weigh ingredients, or adjust mixes.
***Physical stamina.*** Bakers stand for extended periods while they prepare dough, monitor baking, or package baked goods.
***Physical strength.*** Bakers should be able to move heavy items, such as bulk-sized bags of flour, from storage to a work area.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                BakersMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Food processing workers$36,850  Bakers$34,950Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for bakers was $34,950 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,960, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,980.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for bakers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Special food services
                $36,960Grocery and specialty food retailers
                35,540Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing
                35,010Restaurants and other eating places
                31,700Most bakers work full time, although part-time work is common. Schedules may vary and often include early morning, night, weekend, or holiday shifts. Some facilities operate around the clock.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               BakersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Bakers5%  Total, all occupations3%  Food processing workers3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of bakers is projected to grow				 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 33,800 openings for bakers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Baked goods, including cereals, breads, and snacks, remain a major part of the daily diet for many people and are often valued for their convenience. Population and income growth are expected to result in greater demand for a variety of commercial and retail specialty baked goods, including cupcakes, pies, and cakes.
As a result, more bakers are expected to be needed in food manufacturing and retail establishments that make and sell baked goods.
			

                        Employment projections data for     bakers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Bakers**
			51-3011
			218,800
			229,600
			5
			10,800
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Bakers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of bakers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Chefs and Head Cooks**
            Chefs and head cooks oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants and other places where food is served.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $58,920**Cooks**
            Cooks season and prepare foods, including soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.
            See How to Become One
            $34,320**Food Processing Equipment Workers**
            Food processing equipment workers operate machinery that mixes, cooks, or processes ingredients for manufacturing food products.
            See How to Become One
            $38,130**Food Preparation Workers**
            Food preparation workers perform a variety of tasks other than cooking, such as slicing meat and brewing coffee.
            No formal educational credential
            $32,420
 Contacts for More Information
								
For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in this occupation, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local unions, or firms that employ bakers. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about food safety, food handling, or related certifications, check with your state or local department of health.
For more information about certification or training programs, visit
AIB International
American Culinary Federation
Retail Bakers of America

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Bakers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bakers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/bakers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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