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 (94.4) | $51,541 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $42,580 | Below avg (89.1) | $47,785 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,160 | Below avg (89.1) | $46,217 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $40,280 | Below avg (89.3) | $45,106 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $40,280 | Below avg (90.1) | $44,710 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $40,880 | Below avg (92.3) | $44,266 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $40,000 | Below avg (90.6) | $44,154 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $46,960 | Above avg (106.4) | $44,152 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $47,020 | Above avg (107.2) | $43,865 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $37,670 | Below avg (85.9) | $43,849 |
| Bellingham, WA | $45,210 | Above avg (104.0) | $43,466 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $39,840 | Below avg (92.0) | $43,294 |
| Rochester, MN | $40,090 | Below avg (93.0) | $43,127 |
| Merced, CA | $42,900 | Average (99.6) | $43,065 |
| Montgomery, AL | $38,720 | Below avg (89.9) | $43,052 |