Bakers
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
Also called: Bakery Worker, Bread Baker, Cake Baker, Cake Decorator, Donut Maker, Dough Maker
Median pay
$37,160
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$28,120 – $49,020
People employed
236,200
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 2.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 5.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Bakers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What bakers do
- 01Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
- 02Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
- 03Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
- 04Check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations, and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.
- 05Adapt the quantity of ingredients to match the amount of items to be baked.
- 06Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Food Production
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from bakers
- Cooks, Restaurant88% · +1%
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria84% · +1%
- Food Preparation Workers83% · −5%
- Cooks, Fast Food79% · −17%
- Packers and Packagers, Hand79% · −2%
Change into bakers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Cooks, Restaurant88% · $37,390
- Cooks, Fast Food86% · $30,890
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria84% · $37,450
- Food Preparation Workers83% · $35,320
- Cooks, Short Order80% · $35,880
Majors that lead here
- Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.