EN

Occupation · SOC 51-3011

Bakers

There are 236,200 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $37,160 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

ProductionTypical education: No formal educational credential
236,200
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$37,160
Median pay a year
Middle half: $32,660–$44,360
36,500
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.5%
1
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
One employer filed 100% of them

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 370 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $38,890 · LCA filings 016,560$38,8900
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $39,260 · LCA filings 010,580$39,2600
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $37,230 · LCA filings 09,920$37,2300
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $38,650 · LCA filings 05,740$38,6500
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $34,350 · LCA filings 05,160$34,3500
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $46,600 · LCA filings 04,820$46,6000
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $37,140 · LCA filings 04,760$37,1400
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $37,770 · LCA filings 04,410$37,7700
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $38,570 · LCA filings 04,380$38,5700
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $34,290 · LCA filings 04,120$34,2900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Chambersburg, PAEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$48,6402000
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 3,560 · LCA filings 0$48,1803,5600
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 1,090 · LCA filings 0$47,1501,0900
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 190 · LCA filings 0$47,0201900
Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater, WAEmployment 180 · LCA filings 0$46,9601800

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Coeur d'Alene, IDEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 25011250

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $38,584 · Level III $42,266 · Level IV $45,947$34,902$38,584$42,266$45,947
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $40,082 · Level III $43,056 · Level IV $46,030$37,107$40,082$43,056$46,030
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $36,774 · Level III $39,790 · Level IV $42,827$33,738$36,774$39,790$42,827
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $37,211 · Level III $40,934 · Level IV $44,658$33,488$37,211$40,934$44,658
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $30,389 · Level III $34,216 · Level IV $38,043$26,562$30,389$34,216$38,043
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $43,285 · Level III $47,507 · Level IV $51,709$39,083$43,285$47,507$51,709
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $31,574 · Level III $36,150 · Level IV $40,706$27,019$31,574$36,150$40,706
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $34,653 · Level III $39,187 · Level IV $43,742$30,098$34,653$39,187$43,742
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $38,750 · Level III $41,912 · Level IV $45,053$35,610$38,750$41,912$45,053
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $30,243 · Level III $34,091 · Level IV $37,918$26,416$30,243$34,091$37,918
Coeur d'Alene, IDLevel II $29,827 · Level III $35,651 · Level IV $41,475$24,003$29,827$35,651$41,475

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Culinary Arts and Related ServicesCIP 12.05OPT · up to 12 months381OPT · up to 12 months

See Bakers in every metro area

All 370 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All OtherMachinists

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology