California Median
$43,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $37,160
State Rank
#4 of 51
30,020 employed here
How much does a Baker make in California?
Bakers in California take home a median of $43,120 annually — roughly $20.73 an hour — which runs 16% above the national median of $37,160.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $36,510 while the top 10% make $54,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,040 and $47,500 a year.
Baker salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,510 | $17.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,040 | $18.29 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,120 | $20.73 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $47,500 | $22.84 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,960 | $26.42 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories for Baker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Baker salary in other states
Hawaii $46,710Washington $46,140District of Columbia $44,040Colorado $40,650Minnesota $40,210Wyoming $40,000Vermont $39,980Alaska $39,710Nevada $39,540New Hampshire $39,500Oregon $39,500New York $38,660South Dakota $38,340Rhode Island $38,140Massachusetts $38,130Arizona $37,700Maine $37,390Wisconsin $37,310Iowa $37,210Montana $37,200Maryland $37,040Illinois $37,030New Jersey $36,960North Dakota $36,900Delaware $36,730Utah $36,670Connecticut $36,460Pennsylvania $36,360Indiana $36,150Florida $35,870Michigan $35,830South Carolina $35,460Nebraska $35,280Missouri $35,130Georgia $35,010New Mexico $34,850Ohio $34,560North Carolina $34,510Tennessee $34,440Virginia $34,430Kansas $34,300Idaho $34,060Alabama $34,030Kentucky $33,890Texas $33,790Oklahoma $31,460Arkansas $30,380Mississippi $28,920West Virginia $28,480Louisiana $28,020
Working as a Baker in California
Nationally, about 236,000 people work as Bakers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($43,120) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Baker make in California?
The median Baker salary in California is $43,120 per year, or about $20.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,510 at the entry level to $54,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Bakers about 16% more than the national median of $37,160. California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Bakers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $43,120 a year. About 30,020 Bakers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Baker salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.