August 29, 2008

Baker

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Pay: The estimated 1,910 bakers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area who work for others earned a median wage of $14.74 an hour or $30,650 a year in 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle 50 percent earned between $25,150 and $37,380. Self-employed bakers are not included.

Demand: Employment, particularly of highly skilled bakers, should increase 10 percent, about as fast as the average for all occupations, due to growing numbers of bakers in stores, specialty shops and traditional bakeries.

The job: Bakers mix and bake breads, pastries and other goods. They are commonly employed in groceries and specialty shops and produce small quantities. Some make handcrafted — or artisan — bread. Others produce large quantities, using high-volume mixers and other equipment.

Bakers may work under hot and noisy conditions, typically under strict deadlines and with critical, time-sensitive baking requirements, all of which can induce stress.

Although many bakers work as part of a team, they also may work alone on particular items. Bakers usually work odd hours: early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays.

Training: Bakers often start as apprentices in craft bakeries or as trainees in supermarket bakeries. Bakers have the option of obtaining four levels of certification through the Retail Bakers of America. Community colleges offer pastry and specialty baking programs that award certificates or associate degrees. Private schools also offer such programs.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.stats.bls.gov/oco

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