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Baker

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AVG. SALARY

$28,950

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EDUCATION

High school preferred +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Bakers Career Video

Insider Info

Bakers are the people who make food like breads, cakes and cookies. They're skilled at making baked goods look wonderful and taste delicious.

A baker is the person in charge of the whole process of making bakery items. The baker creates or picks the recipe, and then chooses, prepares and mixes the ingredients.

The baker may also shape and decorate baked goods, and operate equipment like ovens and mixers. As well, the baker checks the finished products to make sure they're fresh, deals with customers, and sets up displays of baked goods.

Finally, when the day is done, the baker cleans up the bakery or kitchen area.

Bakers may work for small retail bakeries or big wholesale suppliers of baked goods, like bread companies. Bakers also work in department stores, food store chains, hotels and restaurants. Bakers may also have their own bakery shops.

The job varies, depending on the employer. "Each area of the baking industry has its drawbacks and perks. For example, I chose to work in a grocery store bakery because the hours are consistent and I get to deal with customers. I love the work, but I also miss the excitement and pressure of preparing things in a hotel setting," says Philadelphia baker Elizabeth Mitchell.

A baker may be responsible for making all kinds of baked goods, or they may concentrate on one task, such as bread baking or pastry making. It all depends on the baker and the workplace.

"I run my own bakery, so I make everything. But if I worked for a bagel company, I would make only bagels. If I worked for a hotel, I might be responsible for only pastries. For me, though, I enjoy the variety," says baker Justin Bloom.

Work environments can also vary. Bakers may work in their own small, hot kitchens; in large noisy bakery factories with lots of equipment; in hectic hotel or restaurant kitchens; or in the busy bakeries of grocery stores.

Baking is hard physical work. People in this field say they spend most of the day on their feet and get a daily workout from kneading, lifting, rolling and beating.

"Some days I go home and I feel like I've been on a rowing machine all day because my shoulders and legs are so stiff," says baker Melissa Thomas.

The day often starts at the crack of dawn, or even earlier. Many bakers begin their shift as early as 4 a.m. in order to have fresh baked goods prepared for the day. Some bakeries in large hotels or retail chains are open all night.

Just the Facts

Want a quick overview of what this career is about?Check out Just the Facts for simple lists of characteristics.

At a Glance

Create baked products

  • Consumers are getting more picky about their food
  • Baking is hard physical work
  • Consider taking an apprenticeship program

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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