Baker Salary in the United States
This salary guide aims to help you make an informed career decision by providing insights regarding how much you can earn as a Baker.
We also included tips on how you can increase your salary, benefits you can negotiate with an employer, as well as a PayCheck Calculator that you can use to estimate the amount of money you’ll receive after taxes.
What could I earn?
Find out how your salary compares to the average Baker salary.Average Baker Base Salary:
What can I earn as Baker? Your salary is $0.00 on the US national average.How Much Is the Average Baker Salary?
Bakers in the United States earn an average base salary of $35,550 per year or $2,963 per month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Some Bakers receive only $24,960 a year (10th percentile), while others earn as much as $46,980 a year (90th percentile).
[Source: BLS]
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
If your salary is in the 10th percentile, this means you earn less than 90% of Bakers in the country. Meanwhile, if your earnings are in the 90th percentile, it means you earn more than 90% of your peers in the industry.
Bakers generally don’t receive tips. However, some employers offer it as part of the employee benefits to increase the overall compensation package.
What Is the Hourly Wage for Bakers?
Bakers earn $17 per hour.
What Is the Weekly Wage for Bakers?
Bakers make $684 a week.
What Are the Factors That Influence a Baker’s Salary?
Location, type of establishment and educational background can impact how much you can earn.
Location
Tourist destinations tend to offer higher salaries to restaurant and hospitality workers. Establishments in these places need highly skilled workers to provide excellent service for their guests.
For example, Hawaii, one of the most visited states by foreign travelers, offers Bakers $43,560 per year.
In contrast, Arkansas, while famous for its natural beauty but not typically considered a tourist destination, only pays Bakers an average of $27,940 per year.
Explore the map below to see how salaries for Bakers vary according to location.
[Source: BLS]
This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
Aside from Hawaii, the District of Columbia, Washington, Massachusetts and California also offer competitive salaries to Bakers.
The table below shows Baker salary in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 30,730 |
| Alaska | 34,320 |
| Arizona | 36,530 |
| Arkansas | 27,940 |
| California | 40,680 |
| Colorado | 40,030 |
| Connecticut | 39,150 |
| Delaware | 34,650 |
| Florida | 34,190 |
| Georgia | 31,240 |
| Hawaii | 43,560 |
| Idaho | 33,360 |
| Illinois | 35,920 |
| Indiana | 34,960 |
| Iowa | 35,260 |
| Kansas | $32,020 |
| Kentucky | 35,060 |
| Louisiana | 29,700 |
| Maine | 37,000 |
| Maryland | 38,330 |
| Massachusetts | 41,450 |
| Michigan | 34,510 |
| Minnesota | 39,480 |
| Mississippi | 31,660 |
| Missouri | 33,250 |
| Montana | 34,940 |
| Nebraska | 33,560 |
| Nevada | 38,190 |
| New Hampshire | 36,950 |
| New Jersey | 38,290 |
| New Mexico | 33,140 |
| New York | 40,680 |
| North Carolina | 29,900 |
| North Dakota | 37,410 |
| Ohio | 32,730 |
| Oklahoma | 29,360 |
| Oregon | 38,160 |
| Pennsylvania | 33,430 |
| Rhode Island | 34,570 |
| South Carolina | 33,550 |
| South Dakota | 36,290 |
| Tennessee | 34,300 |
| Texas | 30,580 |
| Utah | 33,040 |
| Vermont | 37,250 |
| Virginia | 34,280 |
| Washington | 42,400 |
| West Virginia | 31,220 |
| Wisconsin | 34,330 |
| Wyoming | 31,280 |
| District of Columbia | 43,420 |
Type of industry
Bakers working in the lodging industry, which includes bed and breakfasts, hotels and resorts, often enjoy higher salaries. BLS reports that professionals in this sector earn an average of $46,080 per year.
Upscale hotels offer slightly higher wages. In our list of Baker jobs in the United States, Hyatt Regency, a chain of luxury hotels, provides a salary range of $49,920 to $58,240 per year.
Educational background
Having certifications from culinary schools can also increase your earning potential. Employers recognize the value certified Bakers bring to their establishments, making them more likely to offer competitive salaries. Consider undergoing training for the following if you want to boost your pay:
- Viennoiserie
- Boulangerie
- Cake decorating
We found that these special skills are in demand for Baker roles in NYC.
How Much Is Your Take-Home Pay as a Baker?
We created state-specific calculators so you can compute your take-home pay after taxes regardless of where you work in the country. To use the calculator, start by choosing your state, pay frequency and salary.
Paycheck Calculator
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
If your gross pay is $81,000.00 per year in the state of California, your net pay (or take home pay) will be $60,830.93 after tax deductions of 24.90% (or $20,169.07). Deductions include a total of [1] 13.07% (or $10,588.10) for the federal income tax, [2] 4.18% (or $3,384.47) for the state income tax, [3] 6.20% (or $5,022.00) for the social security tax and [4] 1.45% (or $1,174.50) for Medicare.
The Federal Income Tax is collected by the government and is consistent across all U.S. regions. In contrast, the State Income Tax is levied by the state of residence and work, leading to substantial variations. The Social Security Tax is used to fund Social Security, which benefits retirees, persons with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers. Medicare involves a federal payroll tax designated for the Medicare insurance program. As of 2022, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not levy a state income tax.
Tips To Consider When Negotiating for a Higher Pay as a Baker
If you’re asked about your salary expectations and your potential employer’s answer doesn’t quite meet your financial goals, there are ways to negotiate for a higher compensation:
- Highlight your years of experience: Employers are willing to offer higher pay to professionals who have a minimum of three years of experience. Those with a more extensive working background can be promoted to a supervisory role such as Head Baker. On top of the usual duties and responsibilities of a Baker, a Head Baker manages a team, ensures compliance with safety regulations and controls inventory.
- Emphasize special skills: Depending on the needs of the establishment you’re applying to, highlight skills that are relevant to them. For example, if you’re trying to negotiate your salary in a French bakery, emphasize how you worked as an apprentice at a boulangerie.
- Obtain a high school diploma or GED: While Bakers typically don’t need a formal education, educational institutions that generally pay higher require a minimum of a high school diploma as educational background.
What Non-Monetary Benefits and Perks Do Bakers Get?
Here are the most common benefits offered to Bakers.
- 401(k) matching: This is when an employer matches the contribution you allot to your retirement account, helping you achieve your retirement savings goals faster.
- Paid time off (PTO): PTO allows you to take time off for sickness, vacation or other personal reasons without affecting your salary.
- Commuter benefits: These are employer-sponsored programs that include bus or train fares or subsidies for parking fees that help cover commuting costs.
- Life insurance: This is a payout provided to your family in the event of your death, helping them remain financially secure.
- Education and student loan programs: Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for training or courses that are relevant to the job. Make sure to take advantage of this, as it can help you increase your salary or advance your career in the long run.
Baker Salary Compared to Other Similar Positions
Bakers in the U.S. earn less than Pastry Chefs but more than Prep Cooks and Fast-Food Workers.
| Job Title | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Baker | $35,550 |
| Pastry Chef | $54,995 |
| Prep Cook | $32,427 |
| Fast-Food Worker | $30,110 |
Baker Salary FAQs
Baker salary varies significantly depending on the city where they’re working:
- Miami-based Bakers earn $34,100 annually.
- NYC-based Bakers earn $40,350 annually.
- Chicago-based Bakers earn $36,610 annually.
- Los Angeles-based Bakers earn $39,890 annually.
Yes. They generally receive overtime pay for working beyond regular hours since most Bakers are non-exempt employees, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
However, this can depend on state regulations, employment contracts and the specific establishment where you’re planning to work at. Make sure to understand your rights as an employee and the policies of your potential employer before signing any contract, in order to maximize your pay.
Bakers earn lower salaries compared to Cake Decorators ($35,961), Chocolatiers ($39,584) and R&D Bakers ($94,742).
A Baker earning six figures is uncommon, especially in traditional employment settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, even the highest-paid Bakers (those in the 90th percentile) earn around $46,980 annually.
However, Bakers who own successful businesses, particularly those with a niche or multiple locations, can surpass this threshold.
Additionally, Bakers who publish cookbooks, teach or have a strong online presence can leverage these platforms to boost their income and potentially earn six figures.
Beginner Bakers often start at lower wages, with some earning around $12 per hour (or roughly $24,960 annually), according to BLS.
However, this is just an estimate. Actual starting wages can vary depending on factors like location, employer and prior experience.
Baker Salary Data
Our data is calculated based on estimates from several job posting platforms. To know more about how we came up with our figures, visit our methodology page.