Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
Bakers
SOC: 51-3011 O*NET: 51-3011.00
Median Salary
$36,650
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.6%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
39.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
What does a Bakers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$27,560
10th percentile
Early Career
$31,470
25th percentile
Median
$36,650
50th percentile
Experienced
$42,570
75th percentile
Top Earners
$48,260
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$27,560
25th
$31,470
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$36,650
Mean: $37,670
75th
$42,570
90th
$48,260
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $20,700 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $31,470 and $42,570
- •Salary spread is 30.3% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 231,890 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:249,100
Top Industries
Manufacturing34.6%
Food Manufacturing34.6%
Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing33.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.6%
Annual Openings:39,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)249,100
Current
2034 (Projected)263,200
+5.6%
+14,000
Employment Change
+5.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Bakers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
32,140 jobs$39,5701.18x
Texas
16,040 jobs$33,0300.77x
New York
15,810 jobs$39,8901.10x
Florida
14,950 jobs$36,5801.01x
Pennsylvania
10,740 jobs$34,7101.19x
Illinois
10,730 jobs$36,7701.18x
Ohio
9,220 jobs$31,4701.11x
New Jersey
8,620 jobs$36,6501.35x
North Carolina
7,540 jobs$34,4301.02x
Georgia
7,420 jobs$33,0001.02x
Michigan
6,970 jobs$35,7301.06x
Virginia
5,670 jobs$32,9700.93x
Washington
5,640 jobs$42,6901.06x
Massachusetts
5,180 jobs$38,8000.95x
Arizona
4,950 jobs$37,9401.03x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Coordination
92%
#3
Critical Thinking
82%
#4
Speaking
74%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#6
Time Management
58%
#7
Active Learning
48%
#8
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Coordination
advanced4.6
92%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.1
82%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Time Management
basic2.9
58%
Active Learning
basic2.4
48%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Coordination
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Air Traffic Controllers80%
5 shared skills
Construction Managers80%
5 shared skills
Technical Writers80%
5 shared skills
Forest and Conservation Workers78%
5 shared skills
Log Graders and Scalers78%
5 shared skills
Fence Erectors75%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Bakers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (2)Training & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (1)Planning & Development (1)
1
Observe color of products being baked, and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Roll, knead, cut, or shape dough to form sweet rolls, pie crusts, tarts, cookies, or other products.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Check the quality of raw materials to ensure that standards and specifications are met.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Adapt the quantity of ingredients to match the amount of items to be baked.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Apply glazes, icings, or other toppings to baked goods, using spatulas or brushes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations, and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Bakers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Bakers professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value achievement
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Bakers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.40
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.16
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.15
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.14
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.93
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.91
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.4
Integrity
4.2
Dependability
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Initiative
3.9
Concern for Others
3.7
Self-Control
3.7
Persistence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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