Production
Baker
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
Median pay
$37,160
Growth to 2035
+6%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
36,500
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Baker
$37,16010% earn under $28,120 · middle half $32,660–$44,360 · top 10% over $49,020
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Baker
Dealing with the public
Rarely
Constantly
Unpleasant or angry people
Rarely
Constantly
Time pressure
Rarely
Constantly
Cost of a mistake
Minor
Severe
Freedom to make decisions
Little
A lot
Repeating the same tasks
Rarely
Constantly
Time standing
Rarely
Constantly
Outdoors in all weather
Rarely
Constantly
Baker: 56% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
- Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
- Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
- Check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations, and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.
- Adapt the quantity of ingredients to match the amount of items to be baked.
- Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
- Observe color of products being baked, and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly.
- Set time and speed controls for mixing machines, blending machines, or steam kettles so that ingredients will be mixed or cooked according to instructions.
Also called: Bakery Worker · Bread Baker · Cake Baker · Cake Decorator · Dough Mixer · Mixer · Pastry Cook · Relief Baker
Outlook and AI
Bakers held 262,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 276,900 by 2035 (+6%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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