A baker prepares and bakes breads, pastries, cakes, and other baked goods in commercial kitchens, bakeries, and food service operations. The work is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with a high school education. Here is what the job involves and how to get in.
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Bakers mix, shape, and bake dough and batter according to recipes and customer orders. You monitor ovens and timing to ensure products bake evenly and meet quality standards. The role involves inspecting finished goods, organizing your workspace and production schedule, and communicating with supervisors and team members about orders and special requests. You'll use knowledge of food production, ingredients, and baking techniques to create consistent results. Attention to detail and the ability to follow procedures carefully are essential to the work.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Bakers earn a median of $37,160 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 39,900 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most bakers start with a high school diploma or equivalent and learn on the job through entry-level positions in bakeries, restaurants, or food production facilities. Some pursue formal training programs in baking and pastry arts that teach techniques, food safety, and business basics. You'll develop skills through hands-on experience, starting with simpler tasks and advancing as you master techniques. Active learning and critical thinking help you troubleshoot problems and improve your craft over time.
Most bakers enter the field through direct entry after high school or through short-term training programs. If you are deciding between learning on the job and formal training, Pathly can map the baker path that fits you and work through the options with your counselor to find the path that fits your situation.
You do not need a license to work as a baker, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to hands-on work with concrete results. You like working with materials and tools, solving practical problems, and seeing the finished product of your effort.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).