Baker Education Requirements And Courses

Q: What degree do you need to be a baker?

You typically do not need a degree to be a baker. There are no specific education requirements to become a baker. Most employers prefer bakers to hold a high school diploma or equivalent education, but the most important part is practical skill and application. Some aspiring bakers may choose to attend a baking and pastry school so they can learn baking basics and gain additional skills. This can be crucial if you plan on your career taking you to highly sought-after positions. All bakers will learn many skills at their first jobs. You will often begin as an assistant or do an apprenticeship under an experienced baker. This is especially important for bakers without experience in baking school. There are also certifications that you can earn throughout your career that are not essential but can be beneficial.

Baker Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, bakers don't need a college education. The most common degree for bakers is high school diploma with 31% graduates, with only 26% baker graduates earning bachelor's degree. Bakers who decided to graduate from college often finish Johnson & Wales University or University of Phoenix. Some good skills to have in this position include excellent organizational, cleanliness and food preparation.

Popular baker certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate , Food Safety Manager Certification, or Certified Food Manager (CFM). To improve baker qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in baker education paths.

What education do you need to become a baker?

What degree do you need to be a baker?

The most common degree for bakers is high school diploma, with 31% of bakers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 26% and bachelor's degree degree at 26%.

High School Diploma, 31%

Bachelor's, 26%

Associate, 26%

Diploma, 9%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a baker?

You should major in culinary arts to become a baker. 29% of bakers major in culinary arts. Other common majors for a baker include business and general studies.

Culinary Arts, 29%

Business, 14%

General Studies, 7%

Psychology, 5%

Other Majors, 45%

Best majors for bakers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Culinary Arts	29.1%
2	Business	14.3%
3	General Studies	6.8%
4	Psychology	4.9%
5	Criminal Justice	4.4%

Show more common baker majors

20 best online courses for bakers

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1. Fun food safety and sanitation course

4.6

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The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

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2. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

4.3

(489)

The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

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3. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

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4. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

4.5

(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

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5. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

4.5

(958)

A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

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6. Basic Fire Safety Awareness

4.3

(776)

Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...

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7. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

4.5

(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

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8. Occupational Health & Safety Training

4.4

(1,198)

Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

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9. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert

4.3

(484)

Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...

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10. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

4.4

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OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

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Average baker salary by education level

According to our data, bakers with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $30,662 annually. Bakers with a High School Diploma degree earn an average annual salary of $30,445.

Baker education level	Baker salary
High School Diploma or Less	$30,445
Bachelor's Degree	$30,158
Some College/ Associate Degree	$30,662

Baker Education Requirements

What education do you need to become a baker?

What degree do you need to be a baker?

What should I major in to become a baker?

Best majors for bakers

20 best online courses for bakers

Average baker salary by education level

Baker Education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a baker?

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