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Cake decorator vs bakery clerk

The differences between cake decorators and bakery clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cake decorator has an average salary of $31,509, which is higher than the $28,651 average annual salary of a bakery clerk.

The top three skills for a cake decorator include food safety, food handling and safety standards. The most important skills for a bakery clerk are basic math, bakery products, and cleanliness.

Cake decorator vs bakery clerk overview

Cake DecoratorBakery Clerk
Yearly salary$31,509$28,651
Hourly rate$15.15$13.77
Growth rate3%2%
Number of jobs4,78867,778
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 31%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age4237
Years of experience--

What does a cake decorator do?

A cake decorator is responsible for designing cakes for special occasions, following the clients' specifications and special requests. Cake decorators directly communicate with the client for their orders, suggesting decorations based on the event's theme, and delivering the item securely. Cake decorators also strictly adhere to the highest sanitation and hygienic standards to ensure the product's quality. They monitor inventories and stock supplies and research current market trends. Meeting client demands to increase sales and revenues.

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.

Cake decorator vs bakery clerk salary

Cake decorators and bakery clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cake DecoratorBakery Clerk
Average salary$31,509$28,651
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $43,000Between $23,000 And $34,000
Highest paying CityCentreville, VAVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateMaineWashington
Best paying companyRich ProductsBristol Farms
Best paying industryRetailRetail

Differences between cake decorator and bakery clerk education

There are a few differences between a cake decorator and a bakery clerk in terms of educational background:

Cake DecoratorBakery Clerk
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 31%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsBusiness
Most common college--

Cake decorator vs bakery clerk demographics

Here are the differences between cake decorators' and bakery clerks' demographics:

Cake DecoratorBakery Clerk
Average age4237
Gender ratioMale, 8.9% Female, 91.1%Male, 21.7% Female, 78.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.3% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage4%6%

Differences between cake decorator and bakery clerk duties and responsibilities

Cake decorator example responsibilities.

  • Assist customers for their needs, and bag groceries.
  • Bake cookies, scones, muffins and various dessert bars.
  • Prepare smoothies and milkshakes using recipe book & ingredients provide.
  • Bake cakes, cookies, and bars in a gluten-free/vegan bakery.
  • Greet and assist customers, weigh, scan, and package groceries.
  • Cook food using fryers, oven, stove and the meat smoker.
  • Show more

Bakery clerk example 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.
  • Show more

Cake decorator vs bakery clerk skills

Common cake decorator skills
  • Food Safety, 15%
  • Food Handling, 11%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Basic Math, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Safety Regulations, 6%
Common bakery clerk skills
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Bakery Products, 9%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • Math, 8%
  • Food Safety, 6%
  • Help Support, 6%

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