Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Bakers
Bakers mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
Table of contents
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.
Featured Schools
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
68% said they were satisfied with their job and 45% said they found their job meaningful.
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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
Average hourly wage
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 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $37070 | $17.82 |
| Facilities Support Services | $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 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Baking and Pastry Arts
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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