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Career Advice on How to Become A Baker

General Career Information

It is time to make the donuts…and make the bread…and the pasta…and the pastries.  This is exactly what bakers do, day in and day out for five days a week.  If you like cooking and baking in particular, then a career as a baker is something that you might want to consider.  After all, baking does have a lot going for you it.  As a baker you are surrounded by the smells of very tasty creations all day long and you have great food at your disposal.

Bakers produced baked goods for sale either to the public or to food distributors.  Some bakers will specialize in breads, while others specialize in pastries or other goods.

 

Career Facts:

A good baker may be called upon to produce large volumes of baked goods.  Depending upon the bakery, the different types of baked goods can vary considerably.  All one has to do is consider for a moment the vast numbers of different types of breads, and the potential spices that could be used, to get an idea for the possibilities for breads alone.  The job of a baker has, built into it, the potential to express some creativity.  In this regard, being a baker can be like being a chef.

 

Career Opportunities and Job Outlook- Average:

The job growth for bakers is expected to be just about average at ten percent.  While the population is increasing and one would assume that the demand for bakers would be very high, automation is keeping the numbers of bakers lower than they could be.  However, with that stated, experienced and skilled bakers should find no problem in the coming years.  Overall, between now and 2016, the number of bakers in the United States should continue to rise.
 
Job Outlook is Fair
 

A Day in The Life:

Bakers don’t tend to get a lot of attention. However, if you want some quality baked goods, bakers certainly do come to mind.  Obviously the workday for bakers can vary substantially depending upon what type of establishment they are working in.  Bakers working for themselves or in a small shop will have a much different experience that those who are working for a large manufacturer. 

Bakers can find that their work conditions can be hot and even noisy.  Since baked goods have a limited shelf life, they can also be under considerable time pressures.  Further, since baked goods are often expected to be on the shelves or in coffee shops and other points of distribution early in the morning, it is very common for bakers to have to get to work early in the morning. If getting up at 4am doesn’t sound like a lot of fun to you, you might want to look elsewhere during your career planning or job search.

 

Average Salary:

The average baker can expect to earn about $22,000 per year, with the top ten percent of bakers earning about $35,000 annually.

$22k

 

Career Training and Qualifications:

Bakers often serve as apprentices as a way of entering the business; therefore, much of the training is on the job.  In general, bakers are expected to have at least a rudimentary knowledge of nutrition and sanitation.
 

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