Description of a Bakery Job
Bakeries are in the business of producing delicious baked goods. Bakers follow recipes to transform ingredients into products, such as breads, pastries, cakes and other baked goods. These workers mix and bake ingredients. After baking a scrumptious treat, bakers may also take the time to add artistic flair with differently colored glazes and icings.
Other People Are Reading
-
Roles
-
According to the Occupational Information Network, a baker begins by checking bakery equipment and the quality of raw materials to see if they meet health and safety regulations. This worker measures, weighs and combines ingredients in bowls according to a recipe. Blending, mixing and cooking machinery is commonly used. A baker then kneads, rolls, cuts and positions dough to form pie crusts, tarts, sweet rolls, cookies and other baked goods. The dough is placed in pans, sheets or molds to bake in ovens. The oven temperature is set and items are carefully placed in the oven to bake. A baker monitors and observes the color of the products in the oven and adjusts the oven temperature accordingly. After a baked good is removed from the oven and cooled, bakers may decorate the product with icing and other toppings.
Environment and Hours
-
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bakers work in bakeries, restaurants and grocery stores. Bakeries are noisy and hot. Bakers work under the stress of deadlines and time-sensitive requirements. Bakers can work odd hours, even during early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays.
-
Education and Training
-
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bakers begin their careers as apprentices or trainees. Apprentices begin in craft bakeries while trainees start in store bakeries, such as grocery stores. Apprentice bakers take part in classroom study and can work toward baking certification. The Princeton Review recommends a major in bakery science where students study the complex intricacies involved in baking as well as the business side of running a bakery.
Salary
-
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bakers earned a national mean hourly wage of $12.19 and a national mean annual wage of $25,350 in May 2009. Industries that employed the highest number of bakers included bakeries and tortilla manufacturing with an annual mean wage of $26,060; grocery stores, $25,660; limited-service eating places, $22,670; general merchandise stores, $25,540; and full-service restaurants, $23,480.
Job Outlook
-
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics National Employment Matrix, employment for bakers will experience no growth through 2018. Demand will occur in stores that sell specialty baked goods. Highly skilled bakers will be required due to the increase in demand for specialty products and the time it takes to learn how to make such products.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit baking image by GiGiZ from Fotolia.com
