Bread And Pastry Baker Schools, Salaries, and Job Data
Bread and Pastry Bakers Job Overview
Bread and pastry bakers mix and bake ingredients to produce baked goods like pastries and bread. Bakers usually follow tried-and-tested recipes. More experienced bakers also create their own recipes.
Bread and Pastry Bakers Schools and Degrees
Bread and pastry bakers may begin their education in high school by taking related vocational programs. Certain colleges offer degree programs in hospitality management. There are also professional culinary institutes and cooking schools that offer related degrees.
Job Requirements
Training is extremely important to master the art of baking. Bread and pastry bakers usually begin their careers as trainees. They receive training in mechanical mixing and are taught about the ingredients and various products of a typical bakery. They are also trained in the art of icing and decorating baked goods. Trainees and apprentices are educated about government health regulations as well as the business of baking.
Certifications helps employers and customers recognize the skills of a baker. Certifications can be obtained from the Retail Bakers of America. The program has four levels and one needs to pass an examination to advance through each level.
Bread and pastry bakers should have a strong sense of aesthetics and taste and need to be able to develop an understanding of what kind of breads and pastries will be desired by consumers. Aspiring bread and pastry bakers should possess an eye for detail and be able to follow instructions.
Nature of Work
Bread and pastry bakers measure and mix the ingredients, knead dough and bake it. Those who produce large amounts of baked goods use mixing machines. They also use ovens and other equipment for high-volume preparations. Those making artisan bread or other specialty breads use ingredients like cheese, nuts, fruits and olives. Pastry bakers specialize in making different varieties of pastries, each with a unique style of icing.
The conditions of work depend upon the organization. Bread and pastry bakers generally work in hotels, cafeterias, cake shops, bakeries and supermarkets. Bakeries may often be noisy and hot places to work. Bread and pastry bakers need to meet deadlines of orders and also have to observe the unique timing requirements for baking different products. They may have to work at odd hours like in evenings or early mornings and sometimes have to work during holidays and weekends.
Bread and Pastry Bakers Jobs and Outlook
According to a research done in 2006, bread and pastry bakers held about 149,000 jobs in the US. Employment is highest in the following industries:< /p>
Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing
Full Service Restaurants
Grocery Stores
Limited-Service Eating Places
Other General Merchandize Stores
The mean hourly wage for bread and pastry bakers in the US is about $11.71, while the mean annual wages are around $24,360.
Job Numbers and Growth
The official count of bread and pastry bakers in 2008 was 149,000. Workers have recently faced a high level of unemployment. The unemployment rate for employees? About 5% recently.
Area Job Conditions
You'll see a lot of bread and pastry bakers in Haverhill (Massachusetts), Michigan City (Indiana), and Carson City (Nevada), and comparatively fewer in Montgomery (Alabama), Columbia (South Carolina), and Corpus Christi (Texas).
Wages for Workers are highest in Auburn (Alabama), Stockton (California), and Sioux City (Iowa), and lowest in Longview (Texas), El Paso (Texas), and Monroe (Louisiana).
Training and Education
Employees normally have long-term on-the-job training before landing a job. Degrees are held by 8% of current bread and pastry bakers. Post-secondary schooling was enough for 22% of workers. Education topped out at high school for 70% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.
Part-Time Work and Self-Employment
Part-time work suffices for 22% of bread and pastry bakers. Workers working on their own make up 4% of the total.
Bread And Pastry Bakers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.