Baker Salary in San Francisco, CA
Bakers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $46,600 a year — 25% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,164 take-home, or $3,180 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median baker salary in San Francisco, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,412
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,889
- Medicare (1.45%)$676
- California income tax$853
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$606
- Take-home pay$38,164
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Baker pay by experience in San Francisco, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,650 | $18.10 | $31,447 | $2,621 |
| 25th percentile | $40,930 | $19.68 | $33,909 | $2,826 |
| Median (50th) | $46,600 | $22.40 | $38,164 | $3,180 |
| 75th percentile | $48,470 | $23.30 | $39,538 | $3,295 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,030 | $29.34 | $48,713 | $4,059 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,600 buys in San Francisco, CA
Prices in San Francisco, CA are 15.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.95× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median baker's $38,164 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,010 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Francisco, CA has 1.3× the national concentration of baker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bakers, adjusted for cost of living
San Francisco, CA ranks #3 of 18 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $48,180 | $40,893 | $36,796 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $42,490 | $35,160 | $33,238 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $46,600 | $38,164 | $33,010 |
| 4 | Riverside, CA | $41,790 | $34,554 | $32,463 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $43,440 | $34,113 | $32,359 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $36,580 | $30,621 | $31,455 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $37,800 | $31,816 | $30,795 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $37,140 | $30,717 | $30,699 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 18 metros →
About the job: bakers
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).
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.5% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Baker salaries elsewhere in California
- Riverside, CA — $41,790
- Los Angeles, CA — $39,260
Frequently asked questions
How much does a baker make in San Francisco, CA?
The median baker salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $46,600 a year, or about $22.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $40,930 and $48,470.
What is a baker’s take-home pay in San Francisco, CA?
On the median $46,600 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $38,164 a year ($3,180 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,459 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a baker?
Pay here is 25% above the national median of $37,160. Local prices are 15.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,010 would in a typical U.S. city. San Francisco, CA ranks #3 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a baker afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Francisco, CA is $2,620 a month ($3,187 for two bedrooms) — 82% of a median baker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Francisco, CA
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- Butcher and Meat Cutter — $46,490
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