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The average candy maker salary is approximately $32,090 per year or about $15.43 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly depending on factors such as experience, location, and the type of confectionery business. Entry-level positions may start around $24,000, while experienced candy makers can earn upwards of $40,000.
Several states offer competitive salaries for candy makers. For instance, states like California and New York tend to provide higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for skilled artisans. Additionally, working in specialty shops or high-end confectioneries can lead to better compensation compared to standard retail environments.
Experience plays a crucial role in salary determination. Entry-level candy makers can expect lower wages, while those with several years in the industry often see a significant increase in their earnings. Continuous skill development and specialization in areas like chocolate tempering or artisanal confections can further enhance earning potential.
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The average candy maker salary in Alaska, North Dakota, and Maine are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average candy maker salary states are South Carolina, Arkansas, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $37,509 | $18.03 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $34,966 | $16.81 |
| 3 | Indiana | $32,996 | $15.86 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $33,621 | $16.16 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $35,722 | $17.17 |
| 6 | Illinois | $33,968 | $16.33 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $34,037 | $16.36 |
| 8 | Michigan | $32,018 | $15.39 |
| 9 | Ohio | $32,392 | $15.57 |
| 10 | New York | $36,013 | $17.31 |
| 11 | Nebraska | $33,139 | $15.93 |
| 12 | Kentucky | $32,611 | $15.68 |
| 13 | Alaska | $39,200 | $18.85 |
| 14 | Maine | $36,537 | $17.57 |
| 15 | Missouri | $32,440 | $15.60 |
| 16 | Iowa | $33,172 | $15.95 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $33,366 | $16.04 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $33,523 | $16.12 |
| 19 | Vermont | $33,668 | $16.19 |
| 20 | Wyoming | $30,971 | $14.89 |
| 21 | California | $34,689 | $16.68 |
| 22 | Massachusetts | $33,600 | $16.15 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $32,178 | $15.47 |
| 24 | Utah | $31,579 | $15.18 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $31,141 | $14.97 |
| 26 | Idaho | $30,809 | $14.81 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $29,600 | $14.23 |
| 28 | Kansas | $31,128 | $14.97 |
| 29 | Colorado | $32,033 | $15.40 |
| 30 | Delaware | $31,830 | $15.30 |
| 31 | Mississippi | $30,983 | $14.90 |
| 32 | Maryland | $32,755 | $15.75 |
| 33 | Alabama | $29,273 | $14.07 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $28,751 | $13.82 |
| 35 | Montana | $31,202 | $15.00 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $34,869 | $16.76 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $28,455 | $13.68 |
| 38 | Washington | $30,996 | $14.90 |
| 39 | Virginia | $28,684 | $13.79 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $27,064 | $13.01 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $28,354 | $13.63 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $29,008 | $13.95 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $29,426 | $14.15 |
| 44 | Arizona | $28,793 | $13.84 |
| 45 | District of Columbia | $30,964 | $14.89 |
| 46 | Georgia | $28,116 | $13.52 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| 48 | Nevada | $29,578 | $14.22 |
| 49 | Texas | $27,419 | $13.18 |
| 50 | Florida | $25,687 | $12.35 |
| 51 | Oregon | $28,720 | $13.81 |
The highest-paying cities for candy makers are South San Francisco, CA, Eden Prairie, MN, and Agawam Town, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South San Francisco, CA | $34,908 | $16.78 |
| 2 | Eden Prairie, MN | $34,856 | $16.76 |
| 3 | Agawam Town, MA | $33,622 | $16.16 |
| 4 | Lincoln, NE | $33,046 | $15.89 |
| 5 | Sioux City, IA | $32,983 | $15.86 |
| 6 | Sioux Falls, SD | $32,338 | $15.55 |
| 7 | Orem, UT | $31,528 | $15.16 |
| 8 | Sparks, NV | $29,136 | $14.01 |
A candy maker's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $32,090 | $2,674 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Top companies hiring candy makers now:
Candy maker salaries at Cargill and The Walt Disney Company are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average candy maker salary at companies like Optimus and Randstad North America, Inc. are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cargill | $40,340 | $19.39 |
| 2 | The Walt Disney Company | $36,289 | $17.45 |
| 3 | Optimus | $32,778 | $15.76 |
| 4 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $31,629 | $15.21 |
| 5 | Scheels | $29,118 | $14.00 |
| 6 | Aventure Staffing | $26,966 | $12.96 |
| 7 | See's Candies | $26,859 | $12.91 |
| 8 | R.M. Schulte & Associates | $25,627 | $12.32 |
| 9 | Kneaders Bakery and Cafe | $24,697 | $11.87 |
| 10 | Six Flags | $23,934 | $11.51 |
The average candy maker salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| 2 | Professional | $32,225 | $15.49 |
| 3 | Retail | $29,323 | $14.10 |
| 4 | Finance | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| 5 | Hospitality | $26,452 | $12.72 |
The average candy maker salary has risen by $7,142 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average candy maker earned $24,948 annually, but today, they earn $32,090 a year. That works out to a 18% change in pay for candy makers over the last decade.
Compare candy maker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare candy maker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,100 | $15.43 | +5.9% |
| 2024 | $30,200 | $14.52 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $29,200 | $14.02 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $28,000 | $13.44 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $27,300 | $13.12 | +3.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoky Mountain Resorts | Candy Maker | Pigeon Forge, TN | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
| Compass Group USA Inc. | Popcorn and Candy Maker at The Zoo | Seattle, WA | 06/25/2025 | $43,827 |
| Life Is Sweet | Candy Maker/Production Associate | Bozeman, MT | 05/20/2025 | $41,114 |
| Smoky Mountain Resorts | Candy Maker | Pigeon Forge, TN | 05/20/2025 | $37,566 |
| Compass Group USA Inc. | Popcorn and Candy Maker at The Zoo | Seattle, WA | 05/13/2025 | $43,827 |
| Smoky Mountain Resorts | Candy Maker | Pigeon Forge, TN | 04/28/2025 | $37,566 |
| Life Is Sweet | Candy Maker/Production Associate | Bozeman, MT | 04/09/2025 | $41,114 |
| Smoky Mountain Resorts | Candy Maker | Pigeon Forge, TN | 02/18/2025 | $37,566 |
| Six Flags, Corp | Retail Fudge and Candy Maker | Agawam Town, MA | 02/01/2025 | $31,305 |
| Davidson Hospitality Group | Banquet Pastry Kitchen Candy Maker-Davenport Hotel | Spokane, WA | 01/11/2025 | $37,566 |
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