What Bakers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Bakers this way: "Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Observe color of products being baked, and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly"; "Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking"; "Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery"; "Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers"; "Roll, knead, cut, or shape dough to form sweet rolls, pie crusts, tarts, cookies, or other products".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Bakers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 262,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 276,900 in 2035, an increase of 14,500 jobs (+5.5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 36,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 13.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 10.1% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $37,160, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Bakers earn the most
Across the 5 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $36,726 in Illinois to $42,007 in California, a gap of $5,281 (1.14 times). 3 of those 5 states average above the BLS national median of $37,160 and 2 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 29,870, which is 29.2% of the 102,150 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 22,400.
Highest-paying states
California ($42,007), New Jersey ($38,578) and New York ($38,439) lead the ranking, while Illinois ($36,726) and Indiana ($36,846) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Bakers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 5 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $10,060. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $9,042 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 5 markets and falls short in 2. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 45.6% and 102.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Bakers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (51-3000) include Food Batchmakers.
Frequently asked questions about Bakers
What is the national median wage for Bakers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $37,160. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $36,726 to $42,007.
Which state pays Bakers the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $42,007. New Jersey is next at $38,578.
What is the job outlook for Bakers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 5.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 36,500 openings a year.
What education do Bakers need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Bakers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $10,060 on a median wage of $37,230.