Bakers
SOC Code: 51-3011
Bakers carries a 37% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $36,650 and +5.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 249,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Bakers (SOC 51-3011) carries an AI exposure score of 37%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 249,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.6% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $36,650, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Bakers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
- 2. Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
- 3. Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
- 4. Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
- 5. Set time and speed controls for mixing machines, blending machines, or steam kettles so that ingredients will be mixed or cooked according to instructions.
- 6. Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
- 7. Observe color of products being baked, and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly.
- 8. Check the quality of raw materials to ensure that standards and specifications are met.
- 9. Check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations, and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.
- 10. Adapt the quantity of ingredients to match the amount of items to be baked.
Key Skills Required
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Coordination
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
- Operations Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Food Production
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Sales and Marketing
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Bakers?
Bakers has an AI exposure score of 37%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Bakers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Bakers is projected to grow by 5.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 249,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Bakers?
Key skills for Bakers include Monitoring, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Bakers earn?
The median annual wage for Bakers is $36,650, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Bakers?
The typical entry-level education for Bakers is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Bakers?
Bakers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).