How to become a baker

Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What bakers do

• Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
• Check the quality of raw materials to ensure that standards and specifications are met.
• Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
• Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
• 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.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Mathematics
• Writing

Is baker a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 27% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Hawaii $46,710
• Washington $46,140
• District of Columbia $44,040
• California $43,120
• Colorado $40,650

Bakers salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.