Bakers

(NOC 6332)

in All Sales and Service

Bakers make bread, pastries, cookies, cakes, fermented goods, pastries, chocolates, confections, and frozen desserts. They work for bakeries, supermarkets, catering companies, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and other institutions, or they may be self-employed. Bakers who are supervisors are also included in this group.

Job Outlook

Good

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  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 145 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Outlook: good, a better than average chance of qualified individuals finding work.

Size of the occupation in Nova Scotia: large, with job opportunities occurring regularly.

Demand: Employment growth will lead to several new positions. Some positions become available due to employee turnover. A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Workhours: both full-time and part-time. Jobs are usually permanent positions. A large percentage of workers are self-employed, which may appeal to some jobseekers.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$14.50

Median

$17.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$3,506

Minimum

$17,625

Median

$36,574

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Bakers make bread, pastries, cookies, cakes, fermented goods, pastries, chocolates, confections, and frozen desserts. They work for bakeries, supermarkets, catering companies, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and other institutions, or they may be self-employed. Bakers who are supervisors are also included in this group.

Job duties

Bakers:

  • 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.
  • Use machinery.
  • Bake mixed doughs and batters.
  • Frost and decorate cakes or other baked goods.
  • Make sure 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.

Sample job titles

  • baker
  • baker apprentice
  • bakery supervisor
  • cake and pastry decorator
  • chocolate maker
  • donut maker
  • grocery store baker
  • head baker
  • pastry maker
  • specialty foods baker

Skills

  • physical stamina
  • strong work ethic
  • hand-eye coordination
  • fine motor skills
  • creativity
  • Ability to apply the rules of hygiene and sanitation
  • An understanding of nutrition
  • Organizational skills
  • Time management skills
  • Ability to work under pressure

Job requirements

  • High school or equivalent (usually).
  • On the job training may be provided.
  • Training through a 5,400-hour apprenticeship program with three apprenticeship levels: to become an apprentice you first need to have a job - enter an apprenticeship agreement either directly through an employer or after graduating from a college-level pre-apprenticeship program; learn on the job, mentored by a certified journeyperson who signs off on skills in a logbook.
  • Trade Qualifier option, 8,100 hours and other criteria.
  • Certification for bakers is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
  • Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for bakers.
  • Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.

Other considerations

  • Setting: clean, sanitary, well-ventilated, and well-lighted environments. Setting can be both hot and cold.
  • Work hours: Bakery products are produced seven days a week. There can be a variety of shifts available that might appeal to an individual baker. They generally work 40 hours based on a 5-day week. Night shifts may be required.
  • Risks: burns, respiratory illness, repetitive strain, and injuries from heavy lifting. Despite working with hot ovens and production equipment, bakers have very few accidents.
  • Consumer demand for artisan baking and baking that is responsive to health issues and dietary requirements has increased.
  • Bakers may specialize in niche products like bread, macarons, chocolate, ice cream, and wedding or special occasion theme cakes.
  • Experienced bakers may advance to supervisory positions or start their own businesses. They may expand into related occupations like cook, pastry cook, cake decorator, baking instructor, or supply company salesperson.
  • Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,495

employed in 2016

62.9%

employed full-time

8.0%

self employed

68.2%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
31.8%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
38.4

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Where will I likely work?

36.5%

Halifax

$17,786 median annual income
18.4%

Cape Breton

$18,066 median annual income
16.1%

Annapolis Valley

$18,238 median annual income
14.7%

Southern

$15,694 median annual income
14.4%

North Shore

$18,349 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

38.2%

Retail trade

32.7%

Accommodation and food services

21.9%

Manufacturing

1.6%

Health care and social assistance

1.2%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

26.0%

15-24

20.0%

25-34

19.0%

45-54

17.0%

55-64

13.0%

35-44

4.0%

65+

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

40.3%

High school

$17,516 median annual income
21.1%

Less than high school

$15,495 median annual income
19.8%

College Diploma

$19,812 median annual income
9.7%

Trade Certification

$22,942 median annual income
7.4%

Bachelor

$13,913 median annual income

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

Baking and Pastry Arts

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to serve as professional bakers and pastry specialists in restaurants or other commercial baking companies. They include courses in bread and pastry making, bread and pastry handling and storage, cake and pastry decorating, baking industry operations, product packaging and marketing operations, and counter display and service.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Baker

Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Baking Association of Canada
Mississauga, ON