Bakers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Bakers in the United States earn a median salary of $37,160 per year — about $18 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 249K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +6%.
AI & Automation Risk
The core duties of a baker are physical and sensory, involving manual dexterity for shaping dough and real-time monitoring of physical products in high-heat environments. While AI can optimize recipes or assist with inventory management and scheduling, the fundamental work of kneading, decorating, and handling equipment remains a physical task resistant to digital automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg, PABEST VALUE | $48,640 | Below avg (94.6) | $51,394 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $42,580 | Below avg (87.7) | $48,540 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,160 | Below avg (87.3) | $47,133 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $40,280 | Below avg (87.6) | $45,965 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $46,960 | Above avg (103.7) | $45,298 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $40,880 | Below avg (91.5) | $44,695 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $40,280 | Below avg (90.6) | $44,444 |
| Rochester, MN | $40,090 | Below avg (90.8) | $44,142 |
| Bellingham, WA | $45,210 | Above avg (103.3) | $43,751 |
| Merced, CA | $42,900 | Average (98.3) | $43,653 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $40,000 | Below avg (91.8) | $43,588 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $37,670 | Below avg (86.7) | $43,467 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $39,840 | Below avg (91.7) | $43,455 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $37,080 | Below avg (85.4) | $43,407 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $48,180 | Above avg (111.1) | $43,353 |