CFChooseField
Production

Bakers

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Bakers
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Median pay

$36,650
Median annual pay for Bakers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

5.6%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

39,900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

249,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Bakers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+14,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Active Learning
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Production and Processing
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3Food Production
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Mathematics
  6. 6Administration and Management

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Oral Expression
  4. 4Problem Sensitivity
  5. 5Speech Recognition
  6. 6Visual Color Discrimination

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Artistic
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Achievement Orientation
  5. 5Perseverance
  6. 6Stress Tolerance

Work activities

  1. 1Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  4. 4Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  5. 5Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Contact With Others
  2. 2Spend Time Standing
  3. 3Time Pressure
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  6. 6Freedom to Make Decisions

Representative tasks

  • Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
  • Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
  • Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
  • Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
  • Set time and speed controls for mixing machines, blending machines, or steam kettles so that ingredients will be mixed or cooked according to instructions.
  • Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
  • Observe color of products being baked, and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly.
  • Check the quality of raw materials to ensure that standards and specifications are met.

Software and tools

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Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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