Baker Salary
Bakers earn a median $37,160 a year nationally. Production Occupations
U.S. median
$37,160
$17.87 per hour
Range
$28,120 – $49,020
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
236,200
across the U.S.
▲1.4%
Pay trend: The median for bakers in the U.S. rose from $36,650 (May 2024) to $37,160 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.0%.
What bakers do
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)
- Openings per year
- 36,500
- Self-employed
- 10%
Employment of bakers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 36,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Baker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$32,038
per year · effective tax rate 13.8%
$2,670Monthly
$1,335Twice a month
$1,232Every 2 weeks
$15.40Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,279
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,304
- Medicare (1.45%)$539
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$32,038
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,120 | $13.52 | $24,767 |
| 25th percentile | $32,660 | $15.70 | $28,422 |
| Median (50th) | $37,160 | $17.87 | $32,038 |
| 75th percentile | $44,360 | $21.33 | $37,823 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,020 | $23.57 | $41,568 |
Best cities for bakers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $48,180 | $40,893 | $36,796 | 3,560 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $42,490 | $35,160 | $33,238 | 2,600 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $46,600 | $38,164 | $33,010 | 4,820 |
| 4 | Riverside, CA | $41,790 | $34,554 | $32,463 | 2,900 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $43,440 | $34,113 | $32,359 | 2,520 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $36,580 | $30,621 | $31,455 | 2,540 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $37,800 | $31,816 | $30,795 | 2,970 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $37,140 | $30,717 | $30,699 | 4,760 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $37,770 | $31,369 | $30,587 | 4,410 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $36,970 | $30,565 | $30,474 | 3,070 |
| 11 | Houston, TX | $34,290 | $29,732 | $30,145 | 4,120 |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $38,650 | $32,082 | $29,465 | 5,740 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $37,230 | $30,396 | $29,341 | 9,920 |
| 14 | Boston, MA | $38,570 | $31,462 | $29,060 | 4,380 |
| 15 | Dallas, TX | $34,350 | $29,780 | $28,888 | 5,160 |
| 16 | Los Angeles, CA | $39,260 | $32,655 | $28,754 | 10,580 |
| 17 | New York, NY | $38,890 | $31,925 | $28,362 | 16,560 |
| 18 | Miami, FL | $36,880 | $31,813 | $27,868 | 3,800 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Seattle, WA — $48,180
- San Francisco, CA — $46,600
- Portland, OR — $43,440
- Denver, CO — $42,490
- Riverside, CA — $41,790
- Los Angeles, CA — $39,260
- New York, NY — $38,890
- Washington, DC — $38,650
- Boston, MA — $38,570
- Phoenix, AZ — $37,800
- Philadelphia, PA — $37,770
- Chicago, IL — $37,230
- Atlanta, GA — $37,140
- Detroit, MI — $36,970
- Miami, FL — $36,880
Baker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $46,710 | +20.7% | $37,664 | $32,220 – $66,080 | 1,580 |
| Washington | $46,140 | +8.1% | $39,253 | $36,390 – $60,670 | 6,270 |
| District of Columbia | $44,040 | +12.7% | $36,090 | $38,720 – $51,430 | 1,270 |
| California | $43,120 | +9.0% | $35,552 | $36,510 – $54,960 | 30,020 |
| Colorado | $40,650 | +3.1% | $33,762 | $32,820 – $56,570 | 4,680 |
| Minnesota | $40,210 | +4.1% | $33,156 | $31,110 – $52,970 | 2,660 |
| Wyoming | $40,000 | +8.7% | $34,320 | $30,620 – $48,040 | 240 |
| Vermont | $39,980 | +1.2% | $33,398 | $33,260 – $55,430 | 580 |
| Alaska | $39,710 | +8.6% | $34,087 | $34,550 – $64,110 | 430 |
| Nevada | $39,540 | +6.6% | $33,950 | $28,540 – $56,060 | 2,040 |
| New Hampshire | $39,500 | +3.5% | $33,918 | $31,760 – $49,230 | 880 |
| Oregon | $39,500 | +7.1% | $31,292 | $33,120 – $51,870 | 4,160 |
| New York | $38,660 | −3.1% | $31,753 | $34,670 – $53,960 | 15,130 |
| South Dakota | $38,340 | +4.0% | $32,986 | $28,880 – $50,360 | 330 |
| Rhode Island | $38,140 | +6.2% | $32,012 | $32,470 – $58,360 | 560 |
| Massachusetts | $38,130 | −1.7% | $31,131 | $35,080 – $47,750 | 6,070 |
| Arizona | $37,700 | −0.6% | $31,738 | $34,700 – $48,040 | 4,000 |
| Maine | $37,390 | +1.2% | $30,846 | $32,210 – $46,490 | 1,380 |
| Wisconsin | $37,310 | +1.9% | $31,298 | $29,640 – $48,030 | 4,930 |
| Iowa | $37,210 | +2.1% | $31,316 | $22,920 – $49,610 | 2,150 |
| Montana | $37,200 | +4.1% | $31,079 | $26,080 – $50,670 | 990 |
| Maryland | $37,040 | +2.3% | $30,546 | $32,220 – $51,150 | 2,740 |
| Illinois | $37,030 | +0.7% | $30,245 | $31,200 – $47,290 | 12,420 |
| New Jersey | $36,960 | +0.8% | $31,301 | $32,220 – $55,280 | 8,110 |
| North Dakota | $36,900 | −4.7% | $31,829 | $29,640 – $46,500 | 830 |
| Delaware | $36,730 | −1.7% | $30,331 | $31,200 – $60,320 | 290 |
| Utah | $36,670 | +3.3% | $30,960 | $26,070 – $47,000 | 3,190 |
| Connecticut | $36,460 | −1.1% | $30,760 | $34,010 – $47,930 | 3,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,360 | +4.8% | $30,279 | $25,430 – $50,470 | 10,380 |
| Indiana | $36,150 | −0.6% | $30,190 | $22,880 – $47,360 | 3,600 |
| Florida | $35,870 | −1.9% | $31,002 | $28,780 – $45,330 | 12,320 |
| Michigan | $35,830 | +0.3% | $29,697 | $28,860 – $47,130 | 7,290 |
| South Carolina | $35,460 | +2.5% | $29,702 | $25,340 – $45,330 | 2,940 |
| Nebraska | $35,280 | +4.6% | $29,802 | $28,970 – $47,930 | 1,030 |
| Missouri | $35,130 | +4.0% | $29,693 | $29,060 – $46,470 | 4,190 |
| Georgia | $35,010 | +6.1% | $29,116 | $22,550 – $46,380 | 7,350 |
| New Mexico | $34,850 | +2.5% | $29,651 | $29,630 – $44,560 | 1,540 |
| Ohio | $34,560 | +9.8% | $29,781 | $24,160 – $46,320 | 8,890 |
| North Carolina | $34,510 | +0.2% | $29,041 | $19,690 – $45,800 | 9,320 |
| Tennessee | $34,440 | +3.5% | $29,853 | $22,380 – $46,400 | 5,200 |
| Virginia | $34,430 | +4.4% | $28,679 | $28,140 – $46,620 | 7,820 |
| Kansas | $34,300 | +3.3% | $28,620 | $27,410 – $45,740 | 1,370 |
| Idaho | $34,060 | −5.4% | $28,850 | $21,100 – $46,110 | 2,230 |
| Alabama | $34,030 | +7.7% | $28,087 | $20,940 – $44,600 | 1,880 |
| Kentucky | $33,890 | −0.4% | $28,342 | $24,440 – $47,810 | 1,630 |
| Texas | $33,790 | +2.3% | $29,330 | $24,430 – $44,020 | 16,710 |
| Oklahoma | $31,460 | +4.0% | $26,588 | $22,570 – $37,700 | 1,980 |
| Arkansas | $30,380 | +3.5% | $25,618 | $24,670 – $37,810 | 2,400 |
| Mississippi | $28,920 | −5.6% | $24,992 | $20,910 – $40,390 | 1,300 |
| West Virginia | $28,480 | −0.9% | $24,348 | $22,170 – $44,720 | 750 |
| Louisiana | $28,020 | −3.1% | $24,230 | $21,930 – $40,780 | 2,450 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $38,300 | No formal educational credential | +5.7% |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $39,680 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Slaughterer and Meat Packer | $40,130 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 | No formal educational credential | +2.4% |
| Food Cooking Machine Operator and Tender | $41,590 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.3% |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,290 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.5% |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,810 | No formal educational credential | +0.4% |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $37,280 | High school diploma or equivalent | -13.4% |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $36,670 | No formal educational credential | -15.1% |
| Shoe and Leather Worker and Repairer | $37,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a baker make?
The national median salary for bakers is $37,160 a year ($17.87 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,120 and the top 10% earn over $49,020. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays bakers the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $46,710. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many bakers are there in the U.S.?
About 236,200 people work as bakers nationwide.