Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Bakers work in a hands-on, craft-focused occupation with a sizable national workforce and a clear outlook for continued demand. With national employment of 249,000 and projected growth of 5.6%, this role offers ongoing opportunities across the country. The field is accessible, with no formal educational credential typically required, making it an option for people entering the workforce, changing careers, or reentering after a break. Success in this career draws on both physical capabilities and creative, detail-oriented skills. Fine motor ability, physical strength and stamina, and mechanical aptitude support the practical side of the work, while creativity, innovation, and being detail oriented contribute to quality and presentation. Strong customer service, interpersonal, and leadership skills can help bakers thrive in team-based or customer-facing environments. Overall, baking offers a blend of manual skill, problem-solving, and creativity, supported by a stable employment base and steady projected growth.
Bakers earn a national median annual salary of $36,650, with earnings varying by location. Among the highlighted states, Washington shows a median salary of $46,140, the highest in this group, followed by California at $43,120 and Colorado at $40,650. Massachusetts and New York offer median salaries of $38,130 and $38,660, respectively. At the metro level, the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area shows a median salary of $46,600, while San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $45,480. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro reports $38,890, and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metros report $38,650 and $38,570. These figures suggest that earnings can differ meaningfully across states and metros, giving bakers some flexibility to target regions that align with their income goals and personal preferences.
Bakers have a national employment base of 249,000, indicating a well-established occupation with positions across many communities. Projected employment growth of 5.6% signals continued demand over the coming years. In addition, there are 40,000 annual openings, reflecting a consistent flow of opportunities for new entrants and experienced workers alike. This combination of an existing workforce, projected growth, and substantial annual openings suggests that people interested in this career are likely to find ongoing chances to enter or advance in the field. Because the projected growth rate is the same 5.6% figure used across the listed states and metro areas, the outlook appears steady in many different regions. For students, career changers, or job seekers, this points to a career path with an established presence and a steady pipeline of job opportunities nationwide.
Location can make a meaningful difference for bakers, both in pay and in overall opportunity. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $43,120, employment of 30,020, and an opportunity score of 67.38, the highest among the listed states. Washington shows the highest state-level median salary at $46,140 and an opportunity score of 56.29. Massachusetts and New York each combine mid-to-high $30,000s median salaries with opportunity scores above 65, while Colorado offers a $40,650 median salary and an opportunity score of 56.97. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both post opportunity scores above 77, the highest among the highlighted metros. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offers a median salary of $46,600, the highest metro salary listed. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also present solid opportunity scores above 63. Taken together, these figures show that certain states and metros combine stronger pay with higher opportunity scores for bakers.
This occupation typically does not require a formal educational credential, which makes it relatively accessible to people with diverse backgrounds. Instead of formal schooling, success as a baker draws heavily on skills and abilities developed through practice, training, and on-the-job experience. Fine motor skills and physical strength and stamina support the manual and physical demands of the work. Being detail oriented, along with some grounding in science and mathematics, can help bakers handle precise measurements and processes. Mechanical skills are also important for working with equipment, while creativity and innovation contribute to product development and presentation. Customer service and interpersonal skills are valuable for roles that involve working with the public or in teams, and leadership skills can become increasingly important for those who move into supervisory or management positions. For many aspiring bakers, building this skill set can be as important as pursuing any formal education pathway.
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