Overview

Bakers prepare bread, rolls, muffins, pies, pastries, cakes and cookies in retail and wholesale bakeries and dining establishments. They are employed in bakeries, supermarkets, catering companies, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and other institutions, or they may be self-employed. Bakers who are supervisors are included in this unit group. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Prepare dough for pies, bread, rolls and sweet goods, batters for muffins, cookies and cakes and icings and frostings according to recipes or special customer orders

  • Bake mixed doughs and batters

  • Frost and decorate cakes or other baked goods

  • Ensure quality of products meets established standards

  • Draw up production schedule to determine type and quantity of goods to produce

  • Purchase baking supplies

  • May oversee sales and merchandising of baked goods

  • May hire, train and supervise baking personnel and kitchen staff.

Job titles

  • apprentice baker - retail
  • bagel baker
  • bagel maker
  • baker
  • baker - retail
  • baker apprentice

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2023 edition

Annual salary

Low

$34,934

Median

$35,977

High

$48,803

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

1,621

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.

  • Completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship program for bakers or completion of a college or other program for bakers or several years of commercial baking experience is usually required.

  • On-the-job training may be provided.

Additional information

  • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.

Certification requirements

Optional: The following certifications are optional to practice as Bakers in B.C.

  • Baker Red Seal Certification
  • Skilled Trades Certification - Bakers

Baker Red Seal Certification

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

This career is eligible for Red Seal endorsement. When all levels of your trades training are complete, you can write an Interprovincial Red Seal exam. A successful result demonstrates you have met the national standard for your trade in Canada will allow you to practice your trade outside of B.C. in provinces and territories covered by the Red Seal certification.

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Skilled Trades Certification - Bakers

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as a baker in B.C., you may need a SkilledTradesBC certification demonstrating that you have completed the necessary technical training and work experience part of your apprenticeship program.

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Post-secondary programs in B.C.

Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.

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