What Does A Baker Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Bakers

Bakers mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.

Salary
$31060
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Bakers mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.

  • Check products for quality and identify damaged or expired goods.
  • Set oven temperatures and place items into hot ovens for baking.
  • Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
  • Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets and bake in production ovens or on grills.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Bakers check the quality of raw materials to ensure that standards and specifications are met. They check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.

A typical day for a Baker will also include:

  • Prepare or maintain inventory or production records.
  • Set oven temperatures and place items into hot ovens for baking.
  • Check products for quality and identify damaged or expired goods.
  • Apply glazes, icings, or other toppings to baked goods, using spatulas or brushes.
  • Observe the color of products being baked and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Bakers also order or receive supplies or equipment. They may also develop new recipes for baked goods.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Bakers decorate baked goods, such as cakes or pastries. They might also prepare or maintain inventory or production records.

In addition, they operate slicing or wrapping machines.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.

To some Bakers, it is also their responsibility to direct or coordinate bakery deliveries.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Average

Is this job meaningful

Low

68% said they were satisfied with their job and 45% said they found their job meaningful.


Pretty Great Cheesecake

I’m the Founder & Owner of Pretty Great Cheesecake, aka Cheesecake Baker Extraordinaire. My typical day There isn’t a day that is the same as the next! I might be on a run to get ingredients, propane, and gas. Then, you will find me prepping ingredients and baking in the food truck. Part of my … Read More


​My day-to-day life as a baker is not as difficult as Chefs who cook meals, but the pressure is just the same. My day will start with checking the inventory and making sure I got everything I need before I start baking. Check what and how much I need to bake for the day. I’ll … Read More


My parents owned and operated a family bakery for 30 years. Now, I work in a Mediterranean restaurant as a baker myself. My typical day starts before anyone else at the restaurant, which helps me feel like I am getting a headstart, and that I get to have my mornings to myself. I am responsible … Read More


Silver Rose Bakery in Peoria, AZ

Day in the life of a full-time cottage bakery power couple Morning coffee? Sure, as long as you’re making your way to the garage. I mean kitchen. This isn’t a fly-by-night hobby for a gig or side hustle. This is Silver Rose Bakery and it is growing out of its garage-based commercial kitchen. Started by … Read More


Peggy Jean's Pies

Just under seven years ago, I left my career as an attorney and opened a pie bakery with my mom. In retrospect, that sounds INSANE. Good thing I didn’t know how much learning and hard work was ahead of me! So, last year, we sold just over $750k in pie – pie ALONE. And that’s … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Demand for this career is growing.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

One of the lowest paying jobs.

How much do they make

Average salary

$31060 per year

Average hourly wage

$15 per hour

Entry-level Bakers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $21,070 to $24,810 per year or $10 to $12 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $43,310 $21
Senior (Top 25%) $36,000 $17
Median $29,400 $14
Junior (Bottom 25%) $24,810 $12
No experience (Bottom 10%) $21,070 $10

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Bakers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing $40500 $19.47
Facilities Support Services $37070 $17.82
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools $37070 $17.82
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods $36800 $17.69
Traveler Accommodation $36270 $17.44
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals $35200 $16.92
Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities $34800 $16.73
Grain and Oilseed Milling $34540 $16.61
Civic and Social Organizations $34490 $16.58
Elementary and Secondary Schools $34080 $16.39

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Bakers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Bakers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing 55710 $31720 $15.25
Food and Beverage Stores 53410 $31120 $14.96
Restaurants and Other Eating Places 34430 $28780 $13.84
Special Food Services 2690 $31790 $15.28
Traveler Accommodation 2320 $36270 $17.44
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 2240 $30660 $14.74
Gasoline Stations 1380 $28520 $13.71
Employment Services 1040 $27820 $13.38
Other Food Manufacturing 570 $30480 $14.65
Elementary and Secondary Schools 560 $34080 $16.39

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
12%

40 hours
59%

More than 40 hours
28%

Working schedule

86%

14%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
14%

Every day
28%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
30%

Every day
46%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
11%

Every day
66%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
56%

Once a year
27%

Once a month
4%

Once a week
8%

Every day
4%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
17%

Slightly competitive
26%

Moderately competitive
31%

Highly competitive
13%

Extremely competitive
13%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
23%

Once a year or more
12%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
64%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
76%

Once a year or more
10%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
13%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
93%

Once a year or more
4%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
3%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
92%

Once a year or more
8%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
25%

High School Diploma or equivalent
58%

Post-Secondary Certificate
8%

Some College Courses
9%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Baking and Pastry Arts

A program that prepares individuals to serve as professional bakers and pastry specialists in restaurants or other commercial baking establishments. Includes instruction in bread and pastry making, bread and pastry handling and storage, cake and pastry decorating, baking industry operations, product packaging and marketing operations, and counter display and service.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
16%

1 month
13%

1 to 3 months
17%

3 to 6 months
5%

6 months to 1 year
27%

1 to 2 years
5%

2 to 4 years
17%

4 to 6 years
0%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
2%

1 month
50%

1 to 3 months
32%

3 to 6 months
13%

6 months to 1 year
2%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
95%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
19%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
33%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
14%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
43%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
57%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
71%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
36%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
43%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
43%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
48%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
52%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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