What is the pay outlook for Retail & Food Services?
Job openings are high in retail and food services as more Americans spend money at stores and restaurants. While retail and food services wages are lower than the national average, wage growth is higher. Jobs in retail and food services generally require little formal education or training, making these jobs accessible to most job seekers.
Recent salaries shared by Baker
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Baker
|
15+ years
$50K - $59K/yr
Syracuse, NY
submitted on Jul 27, 2026
$50K - $59K/yr
Baker
|
1-3 years
$25K - $29K/yr
Tazewell, TN
submitted on Jul 25, 2026
$25K - $29K/yr
Baker
|
1-3 years
$33K - $38K/yr
Boynton Beach, FL
submitted on Jul 25, 2026
$33K - $38K/yr
Baker
|
15+ years
$39K - $46K/yr
Chicago, IL
submitted on Jul 24, 2026
$39K - $46K/yr
Baker
|
7-9 years
$23K - $27K/yr
Harrisburg, NC
submitted on Jul 21, 2026
$23K - $27K/yr
Anonymously share your salary to help the community.
Baker
|
1-3 years
$29K - $34K/yr
Hudson, FL
submitted on Jul 21, 2026
$29K - $34K/yr
Baker
|
4-6 years
$37K - $44K/yr
Anchorage, AK
submitted on Jul 18, 2026
$37K - $44K/yr
Baker
|
4-6 years
$39K - $46K/yr
New York, NY
submitted on Jul 18, 2026
$39K - $46K/yr
Baker
|
1-3 years
$20K - $23K/yr
Cary, NC
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$20K - $23K/yr
Baker
|
1-3 years
$37K - $43K/yr
Clayton, CA
submitted on Jul 14, 2026
$37K - $43K/yr
Viewing 1 - 10 of 50
Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for Baker in United States are Information Technology with a median total pay of $65,447, Energy, Mining & Utilities with a median total pay of $49,834, Hotels & Travel Accommodation with a median total pay of $39,022, Media & Communication with a median total pay of $38,320, and Personal Consumer Services with a median total pay of $37,984.
Information Technology
Top paying companies in Information Technology for Baker are Google and Amazon.
Frequently asked questions about Baker salaries
The average salary for Baker is $53,917 per year or $26 per hour, with top earners making up to $81,010 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $44,155 (25th percentile) to $67,046 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 9183 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Baker employees.
The highest salary for Baker is $67,046 per year, $5,587 per month or $32 per hour.
The lowest salary for Baker is $44,155 per year, $3,680 per month or $21 per hour.
The salary trajectory of Baker ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $44,219 per year (estimate) and goes up to $81,009 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
Bakers often work very early in the morning. Their pay is similar to that of food preparation workers, food processing workers and cooks. Pay is usually highest in upscale restaurants and hotels, as well as major metropolitan and resort areas. The highest paid bakers typically attended specialized culinary institutes or apprenticeship programs, but there are instances where bakers with no formal training have opened successful bakeries. Bakers earning a salary can raise their income by investing in their own human capital to move to a higher-paying restaurant.
While bakers' salaries vary widely, about 57% of professionals consider their current salary fulfilling, according to Glassdoor data. With five to seven years of experience, a specialty in the field, and additional pay of up to $15,229.30 annually, bakers' earnings could be considered sufficient.
Your experience level impacts your salary, but if you follow the average career path of a baker, your average earnings will land around $38,687.28, with a range between $36,997.97 and $81,010.28. Once you have built up experience in the field, lead baker roles are a possibility. These positions come with an increase in potential pay range.
Marketable skills are a must if you're seeking a higher salary as a baker, so which ones should you master? The most common include: food preparation, customer orders, communication, and knowledge of kitchen equipment, menu items, and safety rules. These skills should be second nature, and you can learn them through kitchen experience in related positions, such as baking assistants or prep cooks. By focusing on a specialty, you can match with employers seeking your specific skill set. Specialities in baking range from cookies and cakes to healthy, organic, and gluten-free baking, bread, pizza, and pies. Master one specialty and gain as much experience as you can to boost earnings.
If you're looking for more in your job as a baker, the first step to negotiating a higher salary is researching earnings for bakers in your area with similar levels of knowledge and experience. Whether you're new to the role or an experienced baker, consider what the company is looking for most and emphasize how you're a match. If a potential employer is seeking a decorating expert and you've nailed your icing and fondant technique, for instance, bring this up and use photos to show off your work. Likewise, if a company wants a cake specialist and you've spent years creating your own, highlight that as much as possible.
