Baker Career
Bakers mix different ingredients that are used to bake products such as breads, cakes, pastries, cookies, pies and rolls. They typically make the products according to standard recipes although some create new recipes. They check the quality of the ingredients before using them.
Bakers are primarily categorized into retail and commercial bakers depending on where they work. The first group of bakers works in specialty shops and grocery stores while the latter works in various manufacturing facilities. Other bakers have their own businesses.
Baker Career Snapshot
Bakers work under strict deadlines where they must produce enough products within schedule without sacrificing quality. The job requires the ability to stand for many hours, see details clearly at close range and withstand high temperatures.
Further details on a career as a baker are listed below (statistics from the May 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average annual salary for bakers.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a High school diploma while 25% have less than a High school diploma.
Baker Education
No formal education is required but some people attend culinary or technical schools in addition to learning through apprenticeship programs. 50% of bakers have high school diploma or equivalent, 25% have less than high school diploma while 9% have some college education. Bakers get most of their skills on the job.
Baker Job Duties
The daily tasks of bakers include preparing equipment for baking, measuring flour and necessary ingredients, mixing the ingredients, kneading, rolling, cutting and shaping dough, placing dough into baking equipment and ovens, setting appropriate temperature and applying toppings after baking. The tasks are generally safe although bakers face the risk of burns, cuts, scrapes and back strains.
Baker Salaries
According to BLS.gov, May 2016 reports, the median annual salary for 2015 was $25,090, with the highest 10% earning over $39,050 while the lowest 10% earned below $18,640. Bakers in tortilla manufacturing earned the highest wages, followed by those in grocery stores and different eating places like restaurants. Factors determining pay include employing firm, geographical location and experience.
Baker Job Outlook
Increased population and income is expected to grow employment by 7% from 2014 to 2024, which is the average of all occupations. Bakers skilled at preparing specialty products have the best job prospects although growth is expected in the entire industry as workers are replaced every year. The exception is in food manufacturing where automated machines are expected to replace some workers.
Baker Skills & Traits
Baker Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Baker: | Typical Work Activities: |
---|---|---|---|
• Monitoring • Active Learning • Active Listening • Coordination | • Near Vision • Oral Comprehension • Oral Expression • Problem Sensitivity | • Cake decorating equipment or moulds • Commercial use cutlery • Commercial use molds • Commercial use ovens | • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings • Getting Information • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work |
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