Baker Salary in Washington, DC
Bakers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $38,650 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,082 take-home, or $2,674 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median baker salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,458
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,396
- Medicare (1.45%)$560
- District of Columbia income tax$1,153
- Take-home pay$32,082
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Baker pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,500 | $15.63 | $27,510 | $2,292 |
| 25th percentile | $35,380 | $17.01 | $29,651 | $2,471 |
| Median (50th) | $38,650 | $18.58 | $32,082 | $2,674 |
| 75th percentile | $45,550 | $21.90 | $37,212 | $3,101 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,650 | $23.87 | $40,261 | $3,355 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,650 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median baker's $32,082 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,465 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.2× the national concentration of baker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bakers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #12 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 |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $38,650 | $32,082 | $29,465 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a baker make in Washington, DC?
The median baker salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $38,650 a year, or about $18.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,380 and $45,550.
What is a baker’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $38,650 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $32,082 a year ($2,674 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,153 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a baker?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $37,160. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,465 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #12 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a baker afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 74% of a median baker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.