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Food processor vs bakery associate

The differences between food processors and bakery associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food processor has an average salary of $31,432, which is higher than the $28,963 average annual salary of a bakery associate.

The top three skills for a food processor include food safety, assembly line and GMP. The most important skills for a bakery associate are customer service, donuts, and food preparation.

Food processor vs bakery associate overview

Food ProcessorBakery Associate
Yearly salary$31,432$28,963
Hourly rate$15.11$13.92
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs54,33952,105
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age3737
Years of experience--

What does a food processor do?

A food processing job involves various tasks to ensure the highest quality of food and ingredients during food preparations in a facility. Food safety processors or food processing workers prepare and preserve various food items, such as canned, baked, frozen, dried, and pasteurized products, and manage their inventory. Aside from working in food production, the food processors also monitor the machinery during cooking and mixing of the ingredients to ensure compliance with the product quality standards. Depending on their specific tasks, these processors must follow strict health, safety food guidelines, and government regulations.

What does a bakery associate do?

A bakery associate is responsible for assisting bakery chefs in producing baked goods and pastries, organizing the stock, maintaining the cleanliness of the storage area, and processing customers' orders and payments. Bakery associates monitor the inventory and request bakery ingredients and supplies from trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. They also pitch on recommending promotional campaigns and research on current bakery trends to update the menu, meeting public demands to increase sales and revenues. A bakery associate should have excellent communication and analytical skills to respond to customers' inquiries and operate the cash register.

Food processor vs bakery associate salary

Food processors and bakery associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food ProcessorBakery Associate
Average salary$31,432$28,963
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $38,000Between $17,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityHillsboro, ORSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateOregonWashington
Best paying companyE.W. Grobbel SonsRich Products
Best paying industryFinanceRetail

Differences between food processor and bakery associate education

There are a few differences between a food processor and a bakery associate in terms of educational background:

Food ProcessorBakery Associate
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food processor vs bakery associate demographics

Here are the differences between food processors' and bakery associates' demographics:

Food ProcessorBakery Associate
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 60.2% Female, 39.8%Male, 22.5% Female, 77.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 8.5% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 6.6% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between food processor and bakery associate duties and responsibilities

Food processor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and instruct workers in the art of food preparation as culinary team leader.
  • Take orders and run cash register.
  • Pull pallets of meals into work area using pallet jacks.
  • Handle and process numerous types of livestock in strict accordance to USDA guidelines.
  • Inspect incoming pallets of package food items for damages and defects prior to distribution to airport vendors.
  • Bag groceries, load into cart, and help customers carry and load purchase groceries outside to their vehicles.
  • Show more

Bakery associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage and complete sales transactions via POS register system.
  • Handle cash, check, WIC check, credit card and other card transactions.
  • Prepare delivery orders for other PCC stores.
  • Brainstorm new recipes and culinary creations to serve in in-store retail.
  • Work with equipment such as ovens, slicers, and wrapping equipment.
  • Apply toppings to bread, run divider, assure quality of product.
  • Show more

Food processor vs bakery associate skills

Common food processor skills
  • Food Safety, 23%
  • Assembly Line, 12%
  • GMP, 10%
  • Food Preparation, 7%
  • Food Processing Equipment, 6%
  • Pallet Jack, 6%
Common bakery associate skills
  • Customer Service, 45%
  • Donuts, 16%
  • Food Preparation, 10%
  • Bakery Products, 7%
  • Safety Regulations, 4%
  • Groceries, 2%

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