GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
No 4-year degree required — and that's a feature, not a fallback
Skilled trades typically start earning $45-75K straight out of high school with little or no debt. Many trades earn more than the median college grad by age 30. Look for paid apprenticeships (IBEW for electricians, UA for plumbers/pipefitters, local trade unions) — you earn while you learn instead of paying tuition.
$40K/yr
Average Salary
1 years
Years of Education
+6%
Job Growth
185K+
Total Jobs
Create breads, pastries, desserts, and confections for restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and catering companies. Combines culinary skill with creativity and precision.
$32K
Starting
$40K
Average
$48K
Senior
High School Diploma or GED
Foundation requirement for all pathways
Trade / Vocational Program
6–18 months of hands-on technical training
Apprenticeship or License
State licensing exam required for most trade careers
Start your career
Entry-level positions and internships
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ServSafe Manager Certification
National Restaurant Association
Field
Hospitality & Culinary
Required Degree
Certificate
Time in School
1 years
Job Demand
10-Year Job Growth
+6%
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Create free account →Federal labor-market data for Pastry Chef / Baker
Pay range
$32K–$48K
10th–90th percentile
Job growth
+6%
projected 2024–2034
Number of jobs
185K
in 2024
As fast as average
Moderate demand growth expected. Projected to grow from 185K to 196K jobs by 2034.
Typical duties
Read the full duties, work environment, and education requirements on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Open BLS page →
BLS 'Bakers' (51-3011) — pastry chefs roll into this SOC unless executive chef title (then 35-1011). Median $36,650.