Bakers in California
Want to work as a Bakers in California? Below are the key facts. Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods. Pastry chefs in restaurants and hotels are included with “Chefs and Head Cooks” (35-1011).
What do Bakers Make in California?
For bakers working in California, the typical annual salary is $39,570 per year (or roughly $19.03/hour).Annual wages span from $35,640 at the 10th percentile to $50,930 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| 25th percentile | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Median (50th) | $39,570 | $19.03 |
| 75th percentile | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| 90th percentile | $50,930 | $24.49 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California relative to the national average — is 1.18, meaning that bakers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, bakers earn a median of $41,467 per year ($19.94/hour), below the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 170,551 bakers across the United States. In California alone, around 32,140 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 2,270 bakers.
Top California Metros for Bakers
The largest metro-area employers of bakers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 12,200 | $38,450 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 5,360 | $45,620 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 2,850 | $38,470 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,320 | $39,070 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,380 | $39,730 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,350 | $44,350 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 650 | $42,510 |
| Fresno, CA | 650 | $37,450 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 600 | $37,560 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 590 | $42,730 |
| Modesto, CA | 450 | $36,620 |
| Salinas, CA | 450 | $40,160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 440 | $36,990 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 430 | $38,930 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 370 | $38,280 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 320 | $38,330 |
| Vallejo, CA | 300 | $41,030 |
| Visalia, CA | 270 | $36,650 |
| Napa, CA | 190 | $42,920 |
| Chico, CA | 110 | $38,710 |
| Redding, CA | 110 | $36,950 |
| Merced, CA | 80 | $36,990 |
| El Centro, CA | 60 | $38,670 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 40 | $37,170 |
Top States for Bakers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most bakers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 32,140 |
| Texas | 16,040 |
| New York | 15,810 |
| Florida | 14,950 |
| Pennsylvania | 10,740 |
| Illinois | 10,730 |
| Ohio | 9,220 |
| New Jersey | 8,620 |
| North Carolina | 7,540 |
| Georgia | 7,420 |
| Michigan | 6,970 |
| Virginia | 5,670 |
| Washington | 5,640 |
| Massachusetts | 5,180 |
| Arizona | 4,950 |
| Oregon | 4,510 |
| Wisconsin | 4,360 |
| Tennessee | 4,290 |
| Colorado | 4,160 |
| Utah | 3,970 |
Highest-Paying States for Bakers
Where bakers earn the most: bakers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $42,690 |
| New York | $39,890 |
| California | $39,570 |
| Vermont | $39,520 |
| Colorado | $39,430 |
| District of Columbia | $39,090 |
| Massachusetts | $38,800 |
| North Dakota | $38,700 |
| Hawaii | $38,690 |
| Minnesota | $38,640 |
Skills
Key bakers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for bakers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
- Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
- Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
- Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
- Set time and speed controls for mixing machines, blending machines, or steam kettles so that ingredients will be mixed or cooked according to instructions.
- Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
- Observe color of products being baked, and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly.
- Check the quality of raw materials to ensure that standards and specifications are met.
- Check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations, and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.
- Adapt the quantity of ingredients to match the amount of items to be baked.
- Apply glazes, icings, or other toppings to baked goods, using spatulas or brushes.
- Decorate baked goods, such as cakes or pastries.
Work Activities
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Training and Teaching Others
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Thinking Creatively
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Culinary Arts
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to bakers include:
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
- Cooks, Restaurant
- Cooks, Short Order
- Food Preparation Workers
Also Known As
Bagel Maker, Baker, Bakery Associate, Bakery Clerk, Bakery Team Member, Bread Baker, Cake Decorator, Donut Maker, Dough Maker, Dough Mixer, French Pastry Cook, Hotel and Restaurant Baker, Hotel and Restaurant Cook, Industrial Cook, Manufacturing Baker.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-3011.00
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.