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Bakery chef salary
Average bakery chef salary
$40,422
Average Bakery Chef Salary
The average salary for a bakery chef in the United States is approximately $40,422 annually. This figure reflects the typical earnings of those in this profession, but actual salaries can differ based on geographic location, years of experience, and the type of establishment where one works. For instance, bakery chefs in metropolitan areas often earn more due to the higher cost of living and increased demand for gourmet baked goods.
Where Can Bakery Chefs Earn More?
States like California and New York tend to offer higher salaries for bakery chefs. In these locations, experienced chefs can expect salaries that exceed the national average, especially if they work in upscale bakeries or restaurants. Additionally, chefs who specialize in artisan baking or pastry arts may command higher wages due to their specialized skill sets.
Experience Level Impact
As with many culinary professions, experience plays a significant role in salary determination. Entry-level bakery chefs might start at around $30,000 per year, while those with several years in the industry can see their salaries rise to $50,000 or more. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring chefs make informed decisions about their career paths.
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Where can a Bakery Chef earn more?
Bakery chef salaries by experience level
Bakery chef salary estimates from across the web
Average bakery chef salary by state
The average bakery chef salary in New Jersey, Hawaii, and New Hampshire are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average bakery chef salary states are Arkansas, Kansas, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for bakery chefs
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $55,789 | $26.82 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $50,720 | $24.38 |
| 3 | Alaska | $49,418 | $23.76 |
| 4 | Nevada | $46,526 | $22.37 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| 6 | California | $50,164 | $24.12 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $49,564 | $23.83 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $45,138 | $21.70 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $41,134 | $19.78 |
| 11 | Oregon | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $51,827 | $24.92 |
| 13 | Washington | $44,659 | $21.47 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $48,504 | $23.32 |
| 15 | Texas | $40,505 | $19.47 |
| 16 | Delaware | $40,068 | $19.26 |
| 17 | Ohio | $42,035 | $20.21 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $41,602 | $20.00 |
| 19 | Illinois | $43,124 | $20.73 |
| 20 | Michigan | $37,953 | $18.25 |
| 21 | Maine | $40,830 | $19.63 |
| 22 | Colorado | $39,124 | $18.81 |
| 23 | Indiana | $37,484 | $18.02 |
| 24 | New York | $39,001 | $18.75 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $34,366 | $16.52 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $37,511 | $18.03 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $37,805 | $18.18 |
| 29 | Maryland | $38,749 | $18.63 |
| 30 | Arizona | $34,545 | $16.61 |
| 31 | Florida | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $36,888 | $17.73 |
| 33 | Virginia | $35,877 | $17.25 |
| 34 | Georgia | $34,963 | $16.81 |
| 35 | Montana | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| 36 | Missouri | $36,039 | $17.33 |
| 37 | Alabama | $35,525 | $17.08 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $32,531 | $15.64 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $34,135 | $16.41 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| 41 | Iowa | $34,463 | $16.57 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $34,487 | $16.58 |
| 43 | Nebraska | $35,087 | $16.87 |
| 44 | Vermont | $33,110 | $15.92 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $34,101 | $16.39 |
| 46 | Utah | $28,107 | $13.51 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $29,577 | $14.22 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $30,555 | $14.69 |
| 49 | Kansas | $29,726 | $14.29 |
| 50 | Idaho | $26,103 | $12.55 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $27,537 | $13.24 |
Highest paying cities for bakery chefs
The highest-paying cities for bakery chefs are Paterson, NJ, Las Vegas, NV, and Chicago, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paterson, NJ | $55,683 | $26.77 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $43,248 | $20.79 |
| 4 | Schenectady, NY | $37,366 | $17.96 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $34,998 | $16.83 |
Bakery chef salary details
A bakery chef's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $58,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a bakery chef's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| Average | $40,422 | $3,369 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying bakery chef jobs
The highest paying types of bakery chefs are executive chef, chef manager, and chef de cuisine.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Cook | $44,412 | $3,701 | $21.35 | 156,227 |
| Chef De Cuisine | $51,926 | $4,327 | $24.96 | 18,300 |
| Chef De Partie | $39,938 | $3,328 | $19.20 | 18,913 |
| Chef/Catering | $47,693 | $3,974 | $22.93 | 20,512 |
| Chef Manager | $53,470 | $4,456 | $25.71 | 22,346 |
| Chef/Owner | $45,199 | $3,767 | $21.73 | 64,183 |
Top companies hiring bakery chefs now:
Which companies pay bakery chefs the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Price Chopper Supermarkets-Market 32 | $49,622 | $23.86 |
| 2 | P&S Surgical Hospital | $38,340 | $18.43 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Bakery chef salary trends
The average bakery chef salary has risen by $8,353 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average bakery chef earned $32,069 annually, but today, they earn $40,422 a year. That works out to a 24% change in pay for bakery chefs over the last decade.
Compare bakery chef salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average bakery chef salary over time
Compare bakery chef salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Bakery chef salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,400 | $19.43 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $39,000 | $18.76 | +6.0% |
| 2023 | $36,700 | $17.64 | +5.2% |
| 2022 | $34,800 | $16.73 | +6.0% |
| 2021 | $32,700 | $15.72 | +3.9% |
Recently added bakery chef salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King's Hawaiian | Commissary Bakery Chef | Torrance, CA | 06/26/2025 | $75,000 |
| Price Chopper | #247 Bakery Teammate | Lake George, NY | 06/26/2025 | $32,870 |
| Woods Supermarket | Bakery Teammate | Johnstown, PA | 06/22/2025 | $35,479 |
| Super One Foods | Bakery Fryer | Grand Rapids, MN | 06/08/2025 | $28,592 |
| Price Chopper | Bakery Teammate | Colchester, VT | 06/06/2025 | $32,870 |
| United Natural Foods Inc. | Bakery Fryer | Mankato, MN | 06/04/2025 | $33,392 |
| United Natural Foods Inc. | Bakery Fryer 3Rd Shift | Rochester, MN | 05/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Super One Foods | Bakery Fryer | Marquette, MI | 05/28/2025 | $28,592 |
| Price Chopper | Bakery Teammate North Utica | Utica, NY | 05/14/2025 | $32,870 |
| Market 32 | Bakery Teammate | Fine, NY | 05/06/2025 | $32,870 |
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