What Restaurants Do Bakers Make the Most Money at in Naperville?

The average hourly wage for Bakers in Naperville is about $18 per hour, according to recent salary and job posting data. However, actual pay can vary quite a bit depending on the type of establishment, clientele and level of expertise required for the role.

If you’re curious about which restaurants and bakeries offer the best pay for Bakers in Naperville, you’re in the right place. This article will walk you through some of the city’s top-paying spots, explain why pay varies across types of restaurants and offer tips for landing the best bakery jobs.

Top-Paying Restaurants for Bakers in Naperville

Naperville’s bakery and restaurant scene features an appealing mix of artisan bakeries, upscale cafes and chain brands with robust in-house baking operations. Here are some of the top spots where Bakers can earn particularly well.

1. DeEtta’s Bakery

DeEtta’s Bakery is beloved for its made-from-scratch breads, classic pastries and celebrated wedding cakes. This family-owned local staple is known for both creative freedom and above-average compensation for skilled Bakers who can keep up with its busy production.

2. La Baguette Bakery & Cafe

Known for its authentic, French-inspired breads and pastries, La Baguette has become a breakfast and brunch favorite in Naperville. Their focus on quality and consistency means they highly value talented Bakers—especially those with experience in European techniques.

3. Sweet Ali’s Gluten Free Bakery

Sweet Ali’s is one of Naperville’s only dedicated gluten-free bakeries, offering delicious breads, cookies and cupcakes. The unique niche and specialized baking skills involved help drive up pay rates for experienced Bakers on staff.

4. Le Chocolat du Bouchard

This Parisian-style dessert restaurant and chocolate shop crafts stunning pastries and confections. Working here lets Bakers earn well while focusing on high-end desserts like macarons and tarts, and business often spikes on weekends and special occasions.

5. Paris Bistro

A favorite for both brunch and lunch, Paris Bistro features a rotating selection of fresh pastries and artisan breads, making it a great landing spot for Bakers wanting to work in a lively, customer-facing environment with reliable pay.

6. Whole Foods Market

The Naperville location employs a large bakery staff focused on artisan bread and desserts. Whole Foods tends to offer competitive hourly rates, benefits and career growth, as well as more stable schedules than most independent bakeries.

The Impact of Restaurant Type on Baker Earnings

Upscale Bakeries vs. Chains

Upscale, independent bakeries tend to offer higher hourly wages and increased creative opportunities, especially for Bakers with advanced skills in sourdough, viennoiserie or specialty desserts. Chains like Whole Foods or Panera Bread may provide steady schedules and benefits but can be more repetitive in daily tasks.

Location and Clientele

Bakeries in high-traffic parts of Naperville — such as downtown, Riverwalk or shopping centers — often serve more customers and have more resources to pay experienced Bakers better rates. Businesses serving specialty markets (e.g., gluten-free or French pastries) can also pay more due to the unique skills required.

• Fine dining restaurants may pay the most for advanced pastry work
• Family-run local bakeries can offer higher creative satisfaction but pay varies by foot traffic and reputation
• Corporate brands provide stability, health insurance and overtime
• Holding relevant certifications (e.g., ServSafe, food handling) can increase prospects

How To Find a High Paying Baker Job in Naperville

• Tailor your resume to highlight artisanal or specialized baking skills (e.g., sourdough, gluten-free, French pastries).
• Create a small baking portfolio with photos to showcase your best work for interviews or on LinkedIn.
• Network in the local baking scene: Attend Naperville’s baking events, food festivals or farmers markets to meet bakery owners and hiring managers.
• Apply directly to your preferred bakeries and restaurants or consider a “stage” (short working trial) to prove your skills.
• Practice answers to common interview questions like how you handle early shifts, high production volume or special dietary requests.
• Keep certifications current (food safety, allergen training) to make your application stand out.

What’s the Outlook for Baker Jobs in Naperville in 2025 and Beyond?

The demand for Bakers in Naperville is projected to remain steady and may grow as the population increases and dining trends shift toward artisan foods and specialty diets.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Baker employment is set to grow 5% nationally through 2032. In Naperville, continued growth in premium bakeries, grocery stores and restaurants is likely to support strong hiring.

Bakers with advanced skills — such as cake decorating, pastry arts or specialty breads — are expected to see the best opportunities for higher wages and job security.

Is a Baker’s Salary Enough to Live Well in Naperville?

At an average rate of $18 per hour, a full-time Baker in Naperville can expect to earn roughly $37,000–$40,000 per year before taxes. This puts a Baker’s salary above the national median for the position.

Naperville’s cost of living is moderate compared to Chicago — but higher than Illinois overall. Here’s a quick estimate of monthly living costs in Naperville:

• 1-Bedroom Apartment (city center): $1,500–$1,900
• Utilities (electric, water, gas): $150
• Transportation: $90–$150
• Groceries (solo adult): $350–$500

Many Naperville Bakers report living comfortably, especially with overtime or dual-income households. High-performing Bakers at top venues often supplement their incomes with tips, commissions on specialty orders or private baking gigs.

Our Criteria for Choosing Top-Paying Naperville Baker Jobs

Our selections for Naperville’s best-paying Baker jobs were based on several critical factors:

• Pay rates and earnings potential: We prioritized bakeries and restaurants with higher average wages for Bakers.
• Benefits and stability: Employers who offer benefits (healthcare, paid vacation) and predictable schedules ranked higher.
• Location: Venues in high-traffic, affluent or growing neighborhoods were weighted favorably.
• Reputation and employee reviews: We used feedback from staff and industry peers to assess work atmosphere and growth opportunities.

The goal was to find Bakery workplaces that blend strong compensation, excellent environments and opportunities for passionate Bakers.