Baker apprentice vs pastry decorator

The differences between baker apprentices and pastry decorators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a baker apprentice and a pastry decorator. Additionally, a pastry decorator has an average salary of $31,862, which is higher than the $28,463 average annual salary of a baker apprentice.

The top three skills for a baker apprentice include food safety, bakery products and mixers. The most important skills for a pastry decorator are custom orders, specialty cakes, and .

Baker apprentice vs pastry decorator overview

	Baker Apprentice	Pastry Decorator
Yearly salary	$28,463	$31,862
Hourly rate	$13.68	$15.32
Growth rate	8%	8%
Number of jobs	11,552	3,176
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	12	12

Baker apprentice vs pastry decorator salary

Baker apprentices and pastry decorators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Baker Apprentice	Pastry Decorator
Average salary	$28,463	$31,862
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $38,000	Between $23,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between baker apprentice and pastry decorator education

There are a few differences between a baker apprentice and a pastry decorator in terms of educational background:

	Baker Apprentice	Pastry Decorator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Baker apprentice vs pastry decorator demographics

Here are the differences between baker apprentices' and pastry decorators' demographics:

	Baker Apprentice	Pastry Decorator
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%	Male, 18.7% Female, 81.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 8.6% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between baker apprentice and pastry decorator duties and responsibilities

Baker apprentice example responsibilities.

Manage inventory of ingredients and culinary supplies.
Maintain an effective FIFO inventory through tracking of``manufacture on"dates.
Apply glazes, icings, or other toppings onto bake goods, using spatulas or brushes.
Experience in operating hydraulic dough dividers, mixers and super grain - molders for high quality loaves.
Use a variety of kitchen tools, including electric mixers, pans, rolling pins, and cutting tools.
Prepare and bake bagels in a high-volume bakery and maintain proficiency at every station.

Pastry decorator example responsibilities.

Maintain high CIA standards in all dessert preparation and presentation
Decorate cupcakes to owner's specifications using different decorating tools and techniques.
Keep slicers clean to health department standards between usages.
Handle the meat slicers, clean and sanitize after use.
Compete in Walmart cake decorating competition.

Baker apprentice vs pastry decorator skills

Common baker apprentice skills

Food Safety, 26%
Bakery Products, 23%
Mixers, 13%
Premier Customer Service, 10%
Sales Floor, 9%
Culinary, 7%

Common pastry decorator skills

Custom Orders, 59%
Specialty Cakes, 41%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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