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How to hire a bakery clerk

Bakery clerk hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring bakery clerks in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a bakery clerk is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new bakery clerk to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a bakery clerk, step by step

To hire a bakery clerk, 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 bakery clerk:

Here's a step-by-step bakery clerk hiring guide:

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

What does a bakery clerk do?

A bakery clerk is an employee who is responsible for running the bakery department of supermarkets, boutique bakeries, or baking facilities. Bakery clerks are usually tasked to manage the bakery's cash register, bagging baked goods and then taking customers' payments. They ensure that the display cases inside the bakery are fully stocked with fresh bread and other baked goods. They also assist bakers with baking tasks such as measuring ingredients, mixing dough, or pouring batter.

Learn more about the specifics of what a bakery clerk does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The bakery clerk hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

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

    A bakery clerk's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, bakery clerks 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.

    The following list breaks down different types of bakery clerks and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Bakery ClerkDescriptionHourly rate
    Bakery ClerkFood preparation workers perform many routine tasks under the direction of cooks, chefs, or food service managers. Food preparation workers prepare cold foods, slice meat, peel and cut vegetables, brew coffee or tea, and perform many other food service tasks.$11-16
    Kitchen StaffThe kitchen staff consists of preparation workers who execute several routine tasks as directed by chefs, food service managers, and cooks. These works should have the ability to follow cooking instructions and deliver well-prepared meals... Show more$11-17
    Sandwich ArtistSandwich artists are employees at any restaurant that specializes in sandwiches. They manage the sandwich station and answer any inquiries that customers may have on the different ingredients available... Show more$8-14
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Basic Math
    • Bakery Products
    • Cleanliness
    • Math
    • Food Safety
    • Help Support
    • Sales Floor
    • Safety Standards
    • Excellent Guest
    • Excellent Time Management
    • Good Communication
    • Display Cases
    • Slicers
    • Customer Service
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage and complete sales transactions via POS register system.
    • Use of equipment such as: bread slicers, ovens, commercial mixers, meat slicers, and over wrappers.
    • Start in wine and spirits.
    • Practice proper use of lock out/tag out procedures for balers and trash compactors.
    • Exemplify a model of excellent customer service in keeping with Publix's orientation towards ensuring customer satisfaction.
    • Train to operate machinery such as meat and cheese slicer, bread slicer, fryers, and rotisserie oven.
    More bakery clerk duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the bakery clerk job description is a good way to get more applicants. A bakery clerk salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a bakery clerk in Oklahoma may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level bakery clerk. Additionally, a bakery clerk with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average bakery clerk salary

    $13.77hourly

    $28,651 yearly

    Entry-level bakery clerk salary
    $23,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 25, 2025

    Average bakery clerk salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$35,993$17
    2California$34,734$17
    3New York$31,601$15
    4Oregon$31,508$15
    5Colorado$30,883$15
    6Minnesota$30,591$15
    7Nevada$30,242$15
    8Maine$29,297$14
    9Utah$29,287$14
    10Arizona$28,226$14
    11North Dakota$27,606$13
    12Pennsylvania$27,602$13
    13Michigan$27,311$13
    14Maryland$26,986$13
    15Texas$26,353$13
    16New Mexico$25,968$12
    17Missouri$24,088$12
    18Kansas$22,758$11

    Average bakery clerk salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Bristol Farms$32,690$15.7213
    2Cincinnati State$32,582$15.66
    3United Natural Foods$32,337$15.5513
    4Nugget Markets$32,020$15.3913
    5Hy-Vee$31,897$15.34386
    6Cosentino$31,728$15.2541
    7Clark College$31,469$15.13
    8Raley's$31,435$15.1177
    9Albertsons$31,398$15.10387
    10Price Chopper Supermarkets-Market 32$31,381$15.09
    11Wegmans Food Markets$31,372$15.0817
    12Vallarta Supermarkets$31,240$15.0237
    13Lunds & Byerlys$30,881$14.8530
    14Sprouts Farmers Market$30,849$14.83349
    15Mollie Stone's Markets$30,749$14.7819
    16ShopRite Supermarkets Inc.$30,640$14.73
    17Alex Lee$30,599$14.71151
    18P&S Surgical Hospital$30,373$14.6034
    19Bashas'$30,237$14.5447
    20Kwik Trip$30,105$14.472
  4. Writing a bakery clerk job description

    A good bakery clerk job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a bakery clerk job description:

    Bakery clerk job description example

    Plum Market - 3601 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor Mi 48105

    Full Time & Part Time positions available starting at $14 per hour.

    Plum Market is an emerging leader in the Grocery Retail industry. We are committed to stocking the very best selections of All Natural, Organic, Local, and Specialty Grocery items.

    Our Team Members are passionate about delivering the highest quality food, beverage, and grocery essentials to our Customers, helping them achieve a better lifestyle. We make our Team Members and our Customers our top priority by delivering the best possible Customer retail experience.

    Our Plum Market Grocery Stores are a reflection of the very communities we serve. From our Team Members to our Customers, local vendors and product selection, we are proud of the inclusive culture in which we thrive, and strive to promote at Plum Market. If you share our enthusiasm, please apply to see how you may fit in.

    Benefits of working at Plum Market:

    Full time & Part time positions available.

    We can offer a variety of retail shifts to work with your schedule.

    You can learn about great food and grow your passion at the same time.

    We provide training resources and support.

    Paid time and a half for working any of these five federally recognized holidays: New Year's Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving.

    Promotional opportunities. We are a growing company and you can grow with us!

    Variety of medical, dental, and vision benefits to cover you and/or your family.

    401k with company match after a 6 month waiting period.

    20% off Team Member Discount.

    50% off Team Member Lunch Discount.

    Plum Market offers a desirable and rewarding place to work.

    Employment is contingent on a successful background check.

    We are now hiring for Bakery Team Members

    Description:

    The Bakery/Café Team Member is responsible for providing exceptional Customer Service. They will make sure the Bakery Department is well stocked for our Customers as well as provide quality café drinks to our Customers. They will assist in receiving, storing and merchandising of product while ensuring proper rotation and quality. They will build displays, process inventory and maintain proper fronting of the Bakery & Café Department.

    Who you are:

    You are passionate and wish to continuously learn and grow your capabilities.

    You model and provide exceptional Customers Service.

    You value inclusion and work to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed and every voice is heard.

    You love a challenge and the satisfaction that comes from meeting it.

    You inspire people to want to be their best selves.

    You have an eye for detail and enjoy merchandising.

    What you will bring:

    Passion for Customers Service.

    Self-motivation.

    Detail oriented nature.

    Able to work a variety of shifts including nights, weekends and holidays.

    Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

    Able to stand and walk for up to 4 hours without a break.

    Ability to bend and stoop to grasp objects, climb ladders, lift loads, up to 50 lbs. unassisted, push and pull carts weighing up to 100 lbs. unassisted.

    What you will do:

    Give exceptional Service to our Customers.

    Create.

    Execute.

    Teach.

    Learn.

    Follow up.

    Help other Team Members in the Bakery/Café Department.

    Communicate effectively with Customers, Team Members, Store Leadership and Director Group.

    Adhere to all Plum Market policies and standard operating procedures.




    PI194571380

  5. Post your job

    To find bakery clerks for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any bakery clerks they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level bakery clerks with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your bakery clerk job on Zippia to find and recruit bakery clerk candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit bakery clerks, 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    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 bakery clerk

    Once you've decided on a perfect bakery clerk candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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 bakery clerk?

Hiring a bakery clerk comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting bakery clerks involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of bakery clerk recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

Bakery clerks earn a median yearly salary is $28,651 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find bakery clerks for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $11 and $16.

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