BABaker
BA
Career

Baker

By the numbers
Typical pay
$37,160 / yr
Education to start
No formal educational credential
Future demand
+5.6% by 2034
People in this job
236K
Figures shown for ·1 O*NET occupation
The work
A day, hour by hour
04:00
Mix & knead

Weigh flour, water, and yeast. Start the first big batches of dough.

04:45
Shape & proof

Roll loaves and rolls by hand. Tuck them in to rise.

05:30
Oven call

Load the ovens. Is this loaf done, or does it need two more minutes?

06:30
Pastry & cookies

Bake croissants, muffins, and cookies. Fill racks before the doors open.

07:30
Open & serve

Greet the morning rush, box orders, and note custom cake requests.

09:00
Decorating

Pipe borders, smooth frosting, and add fine detail to a birthday cake.

10:30
Menu decisions

Test a new scone flavor. Bake more of the bestsellers, or risk running out?

11:30
Scrub down

Wash pans and mixers, wipe counters, and order flour for tomorrow.

12:30
Prep for tomorrow

Mix overnight dough, then check the cake calendar before taking new orders.

Things you do
  • Mix and knead dough and batter from precisely measured ingredients.
  • Shape loaves, rolls, and pastries by hand before they bake.
  • Bake goods at the right temperature and pull them out right on time.
  • Decorate cakes and cookies with frosting, piping, and fine detail.
  • Show up at 4 a.m. to have fresh bread ready by opening.
Decisions you’ll make
  • Is this loaf done, or does it need two more minutes?
  • Is this dough proofed enough, or should I give it more time?
  • Should I bake more of this today, or risk running out?
  • Do I tweak this recipe now, or stick with what already sells?
  • Can I take this custom cake order, or will it overload my week?
Education Pathways · how you get there
9 in 100 went the college route · 91 in 100 found another way in None, typically

People usually reach this work through experience rather than a college program.

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Education mapped from O*NET:Bakers · 97% related
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