Baker

Your Fit

Income

$35K

Preparation

Some

Growth

4.9%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Baker?

A Baker is a culinary professional specializing in the creation of bread, pastries, and other baked goods. This role combines artistry with culinary science to produce a wide range of edible products.

Sample job titles:

Baker, Dough Mixer, Mixer, Pastry Chef

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Baker.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Baker earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Baker.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$31K per year	$32K per year	$35K per year	$42K per year	$52K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $30K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Baker do?

Work environment

Bakers typically work in bakeries, restaurants, grocery stores, or specialty shops. The environment is fast-paced and can involve early morning hours. Bakers work with ovens, mixers, and other baking equipment and are often on their feet for extended periods.

Quick task list

Mixes, prepares, and bakes bread and pastries.
Decorates and finishes baked goods to high standards.
Maintains cleanliness and safety standards in the kitchen.
Orders supplies and manages inventory.
Develops new recipes and menu items.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Artisan Bread Baker: Specializing in handcrafted, traditional bread using specialized techniques.
Pastry Chef: Focusing on pastries, desserts, and sweet baked goods, often with artistic decoration.
Commercial Baker: Working in mass production environments, focusing on consistency and efficiency in large quantities.

Description

The profession of a baker is both an art and a science, requiring a blend of creativity, precision, and technical skills. Bakers must understand the science behind how ingredients interact and affect the final product, such as the fermentation of yeast in bread. Precision in measuring and timing is crucial to ensure consistent quality.

Bakers start their day early, preparing doughs and batters, and often work in a fast-paced environment to meet customer demands and maintain freshness. Creativity plays a significant role, especially for those specializing in pastries and desserts, where presentation is as important as taste. Bakers also need to stay current with food trends and dietary needs, such as gluten-free or vegan baking.

The role may involve developing new recipes, managing baking schedules, and ensuring that products meet quality standards. While some bakers work in small, artisanal settings, others may work in large-scale commercial environments, requiring different sets of skills, such as the ability to operate industrial baking equipment.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The creative joy of crafting delicious baked goods.
Positive customer feedback and seeing customers enjoy their creations.
The tangible results of their work, producing something that can be immediately enjoyed.

You might make a good Baker if you are...

Passionate about cooking and baking, and enjoy experimenting with recipes.
Detail-oriented and able to follow recipes precisely.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced and sometimes hot environment.
An early riser, as many baking jobs start in the early hours.
Creative and enjoy making food that is both delicious and visually appealing.

Pros:

Creative and fulfilling work, especially for those passionate about baking and culinary arts.
Opportunities for entrepreneurship, such as opening a bakery or offering specialty items.
Growing demand for artisanal and specialty baked goods.
Flexible work environments, from large-scale commercial bakeries to small, local shops.

Cons:

Early morning hours are common to prepare fresh products for the day.
Physically demanding work, often requiring long periods of standing.
The job can be repetitive, especially in larger, industrial bakeries.
Lower starting wages compared to some other skilled trades.

How to become a Baker

Typical education

Formal education can vary; some bakers learn through on-the-job training, while others complete a culinary arts program, which can range from a few months to 2 years. Advanced positions may require additional training or experience.

High school preparation

Courses:

Home economics or culinary arts classes to learn basic cooking and baking skills.
Business studies for understanding how to manage or operate a bakery.
Mathematics for recipes, measurements, and inventory management.
Art classes to develop an eye for aesthetics and presentation.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining a cooking or baking club, if available.
Volunteering or part-time work in local bakeries or cafes.
Participating in baking or cooking competitions to hone skills and gain recognition.

Preparation after high school

Enrolling in a culinary school with a focus on baking and pastry arts.
Apprenticeships or mentorship programs under experienced bakers.
Business courses or workshops if interested in opening a bakery.
Short courses in specialty areas like cake decoration, artisan bread making, or chocolate work.

More resources

American Bakers Association (ABA) - Provides industry research, education, and networking opportunities.
The Bread Bakers Guild of America - Offers resources, education, and community for artisan bread baking.
Pastry Arts Magazine - A resource for recipes, techniques, and stories from the world of pastry and baking.
Baking Association of Canada - Offers resources and information for those in the baking industry in Canada.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.