Education:
58%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
25%
Less than a High School Diploma
Baker
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Job Outlook:
Faster than average
Education:
None
Work From Home
Salary
High:
$45,650.00
Average:
$34,140.00
Hourly
Average:
$16.41
What they do:
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
On the job, you would:
- 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.
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.
Personality
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
|---|---|---|---|
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85% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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79% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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79% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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78% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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73% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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73% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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71% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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69% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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68% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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65% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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64% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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62% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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61% | Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. | |
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59% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. | |
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55% | Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. | |
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53% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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95% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
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67% | Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
Aptitude
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
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69% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |
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56% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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53% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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53% | Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. | |
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53% | Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. | |
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53% | Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
Job Details
Responsibilities
Inspect food products.
Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
Load materials into production equipment.
Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
Shape clay or dough to create products.
Operate cooking, baking, or other food preparation equipment.
Evaluate quality of food ingredients or prepared foods.
Determine food production methods.
Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Clean production equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
Operate cooking, baking, or other food preparation equipment.
Record operational or production data.
Direct operational or production activities.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Operate cutting equipment.
Create new recipes or food presentations.
Evaluate quality of food ingredients or prepared foods.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
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86% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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85% | Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing? | |
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83% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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81% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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81% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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80% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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80% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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79% | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? | |
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76% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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75% | Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? | |
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72% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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71% | Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings - How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings? | |
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69% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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68% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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68% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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68% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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67% | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions? | |
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65% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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64% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
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60% | Spend Time Walking and Running - How much does this job require walking and running? | |
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60% | Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? | |
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57% | Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment - How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.) | |
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55% | Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? | |
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53% | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? | |
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52% | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? | |
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58% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
|---|---|---|---|
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76% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. | |
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72% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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71% | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. | |
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65% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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60% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
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58% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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56% | Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. | |
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55% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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55% | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
What Bakers Do
Bakers 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 needed
Bakers 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
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 | 26 |
| Grocery and specialty food retailers | 25 |
| Self-employed workers | 4 |
| Special food services | 2 |
The 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.
Getting Started
How to Become a Baker
On-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.
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.
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.
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
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 | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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 | $56,520 |
|
Cooks |
Cooks season and prepare foods, including soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. |
See How to Become One | $30,910 |
|
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 | $36,190 |
|
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 | $29,790 |