Baker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Bakers Make?
Bakers earn a median annual salary of $36,650 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $27,560 at the 10th percentile to $48,260 at the 90th percentile — a range of $20,700. The highest-paying state is Washington at $42,690.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,560 |
| 25th percentile | $31,470 |
| Median (50th) | $36,650 |
| 75th percentile | $42,570 |
| 90th percentile | $48,260 |
Baker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $42,690 |
| New York | $39,890 |
| California | $39,570 |
| Vermont | $39,520 |
| Colorado | $39,430 |
| District of Columbia | $39,090 |
| Massachusetts | $38,800 |
| North Dakota | $38,700 |
| Hawaii | $38,690 |
| Minnesota | $38,640 |
| New Hampshire | $38,150 |
| Arizona | $37,940 |
| Delaware | $37,370 |
| Nevada | $37,080 |
| Maine | $36,950 |
| Oregon | $36,880 |
| Connecticut | $36,880 |
| South Dakota | $36,850 |
| Wyoming | $36,810 |
| Illinois | $36,770 |
| New Jersey | $36,650 |
| Wisconsin | $36,620 |
| Florida | $36,580 |
| Alaska | $36,560 |
| Iowa | $36,460 |
| Indiana | $36,350 |
| Maryland | $36,220 |
| Idaho | $36,010 |
| Rhode Island | $35,930 |
| Michigan | $35,730 |
| Montana | $35,720 |
| Utah | $35,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,710 |
| South Carolina | $34,590 |
| North Carolina | $34,430 |
| Kentucky | $34,040 |
| New Mexico | $34,010 |
| Missouri | $33,790 |
| Nebraska | $33,740 |
| Tennessee | $33,280 |
| Kansas | $33,190 |
| Texas | $33,030 |
| Georgia | $33,000 |
| Virginia | $32,970 |
| Alabama | $31,610 |
| Ohio | $31,470 |
| Mississippi | $30,620 |
| Oklahoma | $30,250 |
| Arkansas | $29,340 |
| Louisiana | $28,930 |
| West Virginia | $28,740 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Bakers
Baker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$27,560 – $31,470 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$36,650 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$42,570 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $48,260+ |
How to Earn More as a Baker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Bakers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $45,620 — $8,970 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($42,570) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Baker Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Bakerthis career | $36,650 |
| Chefs and Head Cook | $60,990 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,160 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,450 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,830 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 51-3011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.