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How to hire a baker/cake decorator

Baker/cake decorator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring baker/cake decorators in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a baker/cake decorator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per baker/cake decorator on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 170,625 baker/cake decorators in the US, and there are currently 7,957 job openings in this field.
  • Lafayette, CA, has the highest demand for baker/cake decorators, with 3 job openings.

How to hire a baker/cake decorator, step by step

To hire a baker/cake decorator, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a baker/cake decorator:

Here's a step-by-step baker/cake decorator hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a baker/cake decorator job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new baker/cake decorator
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your baker/cake decorator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a baker/cake decorator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A baker/cake decorator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, baker/cake decorators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list presents baker/cake decorator salaries for various positions.

    Type of Baker/Cake DecoratorDescriptionHourly rate
    Baker/Cake DecoratorBakers mix ingredients according to recipes to make breads, pastries, and other baked goods.$9-17
    Deli/Bakery ClerkA deli/bakery clerk assists customers by taking and preparing orders, ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction. They may also help customers by answering inquiries, accepting requests, offering other products and services, processing payments, and handling issues and concerns efficiently and professionally... Show more$12-18
    BakerBakers arrange quality ingredients to mix and craft specific recipes to make all kinds of pastries and baked goods such as cookies, brownies, muffins, bread, tortillas, and cakes. They prepare doughs, batters, icings, or fillings and use several types of equipment like scales or graduated containers to weigh or quantify ingredients... Show more$10-19
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Wedding Cakes
    • Cleanliness
    • Cupcakes
    • Customer Service
    • Bakery Products
    • Food Preparation
    • Groceries
    • Sales Floor
    • Fifo
    • Safety Regulations
    • Food Products
    • Breakfast Pastries
    • Fondant
    • Production Schedules
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage inventory of ingredients and culinary supplies.
    • Place the orders for groceries and supplies.
    • Utilize food safety procedures (FIFO).
    • Used FiFo system to restock shelves with new products.
    • Maintain inventory control, cleanliness and sanitation.
    • Prepare and bake bagels in a high-volume bakery and maintain proficiency at every station.
    More baker/cake decorator duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your baker/cake decorator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A baker/cake decorator salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, baker/cake decorators' average salary in mississippi is 44% less than in new hampshire.
    • Seniority. Entry-level baker/cake decorators earn 47% less than senior-level baker/cake decorators.
    • Certifications. A baker/cake decorator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a baker/cake decorator's salary.

    Average baker/cake decorator salary

    $13.05hourly

    $27,149 yearly

    Entry-level baker/cake decorator salary
    $19,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 25, 2025

    Average baker/cake decorator salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New Jersey$32,806$16
    2New York$32,714$16
    3California$30,577$15
    4Washington$29,749$14
    5Oregon$29,610$14
    6Minnesota$29,454$14
    7Virginia$28,639$14
    8Arizona$26,936$13
    9Tennessee$26,190$13
    10Florida$25,918$12
    11Ohio$24,969$12
    12Georgia$23,122$11
    13Texas$22,806$11
    14North Carolina$22,626$11
    15Mississippi$19,761$10

    Average baker/cake decorator salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Whole Foods Market$33,375$16.0557
    2Hannaford Supermarkets$32,971$15.859
    3TravelCenters of America$32,247$15.50
    4United Natural Foods$30,100$14.477
    5SusieCakes Bakery$28,610$13.752
    6Nothing Bundt Cakes$28,380$13.64877
    7Giant Eagle$28,135$13.5338
    8Full Steam Staffing$28,100$13.51
    9Aramark$26,907$12.9447
    10Sodexo Management, Inc.$26,720$12.8527
    11Paris Baguette$26,477$12.736
    12Delaware North$26,442$12.71
    13AdventHealth$26,427$12.711
  4. Writing a baker/cake decorator job description

    A baker/cake decorator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a baker/cake decorator job description:

    Baker/cake decorator job description example

    Starting at $14+ tips ( est. $2-$3 an hour)

    Full time- 40 hours a week role

    At SusieCakes, we make old-fashioned, sentimental dessert favorites – just like you may remember from your childhood! Our bakeries are filled with the delicious tastes and sweet smells of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, and bars- all baked from scratch, on-site daily, using the freshest and finest ingredients. Our signature Celebration Cake is a birthday staple on tens of thousands of tables. Our bakeries mix the nostalgia of the past with the warmth and feel of a modern, neighborhood bakery. “Connecting through Celebration” is our purpose and what we strive for every day with our team members, our guests, and our community.

    Our bakeries are lively and bustling with genuinely friendly people who have the “hospitality gene.” They understand the importance of what they do every day and are empowered to make days better. Their connections to our guests and to each other are what separates SusieCakes from other bakeries.

    The pastry baker assists in the culinary operations by managing and producing of all the baked goods along side other culinary team members.

    RESPONSIBILITIES:

    • Manage production and prepare a wide variety of standard and custom baked goods according to recipes
    • Mix, bake, build, decorate, and inscribe products in an efficient manner (as applicable)
    • Ensure all food is prepared, handled, and stored according to all required food safety code standards
    • Operate and maintain bakery equipment

    BENEFITS & PERKS:

    • Flexible work schedule
    • Free non-slip shoes (annually!)
    • Birthday month PTO with complimentary cake
    • Company holidays off (Thanksgiving, December 25th-27th, and New Year’s Day)
    • Medical, dental, vision insurance
    • Vacation, 401k, FSA · Paid Sick Time
    • Referral Program
    • Pet rescue reimbursement and pet insurance
    • Flexible return to work schedule for maternity leave
    • Generous 50% discount on all our delicious desserts!

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    • One year of previous culinary experience, pastry/baking experience strongly preferred
    • Ability to work in cross functional roles as needed (front-of house & back-of-house)
    • Must have reliable transportation

    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

    • Frequent walking, kneeling, bending, and reaching overhead
    • Able to stand for extended periods of time
    • Must be able to lift, move and carry up to 50 pounds
    • Must be able to taste product for quality assurance i.e buttercream(s), cake(s) and cupcake(s)batter, cookie dough and other recipes as assigned.

    EDUCATION:

    • Culinary degree preferred
    • High school diploma or GED

    LANGUAGE SKILLS:

    • Must be able to speak, read, and write English

    OTHER:

    • Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed

    #mp

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find baker/cake decorators for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your baker/cake decorator job on Zippia to find and recruit baker/cake decorator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit baker/cake decorators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new baker/cake decorator

    Once you've selected the best baker/cake decorator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new baker/cake decorator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a baker/cake decorator?

Recruiting baker/cake decorators involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for baker/cake decorators is $27,149 in the US. However, the cost of baker/cake decorator hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a baker/cake decorator for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $9 and $17 an hour.

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