Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Although bakers typically need no formal educational credential, employers may prefer or require that candidates have a high school diploma. Some choose to attend a technical or culinary school. They typically learn their skills through on-the-job training, which may include participating in an apprenticeship program. PayThe median annual wage for bakers was $37,160 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of bakers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 36,500 openings for bakers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bakers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bakers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about bakers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for bakers was $37,160 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of bakers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 36,500 openings for bakers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bakers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bakers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about bakers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of bakers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 36,500 openings for bakers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bakers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bakers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about bakers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Bakers mix ingredients according to recipes in order to make breads, pastries, and other baked goods.
Work Environment
Most bakers work in retail or commercial bakeries (manufacturing facilities), grocery stores or wholesale club stores, and restaurants. Work shifts often include early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become a Baker
Although bakers typically need no formal educational credential, employers may prefer or require that candidates have a high school diploma. Some choose to attend a technical or culinary school. They typically learn their skills through on-the-job training, which may include participating in an apprenticeship program.
Pay
The median annual wage for bakers was $37,160 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of bakers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 36,500 openings for bakers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bakers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bakers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about bakers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most bakers work in retail or commercial bakeries (manufacturing facilities), grocery stores or wholesale club stores, and restaurants. Work shifts often include early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become a Baker
Although bakers typically need no formal educational credential, employers may prefer or require that candidates have a high school diploma. Some choose to attend a technical or culinary school. They typically learn their skills through on-the-job training, which may include participating in an apprenticeship program.
Pay
The median annual wage for bakers was $37,160 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of bakers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 36,500 openings for bakers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bakers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bakers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about bakers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bakers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bakers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about bakers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about bakers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.