Career Specializations

In terms of the culinary arts, bakers and pastry artists already count as very particular specializations. Some bakers may express a preference for focusing on certain breads, and others on certain delectables. Pastry chefs may also demonstrate an expertise in fruit-based desserts, or may prefer to restrict their creations to those involving chocolate only. 

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Degree Levels

• Certificate in Culinary Arts: 2-4 years to complete

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Education & Certification Requirements

Training for aspiring bakers and pastry artists can actually begin at a very early age, in some cases even before high school. The most important aspect in defining a career in the culinary arts is professional experience. It is recommended that young bakers and pastry arts lovers should pursue apprentices and jobs with the local culinary professionals in their area and build their resumes early. There are a number of high schools that can also provide training in the culinary arts; to find them, those interested should look to the American Culinary Foundation, or the ACF, for the latest listing on available programs. 

The next phase of training for bakers and pastry art professionals-to-be is expert training for a culinary school or institute; the ACF also lends accreditation to 200 of the best programs. (High schools students and those even younger can also find apprenticeship programs through their recommendations.) The best culinary programs will provide a wealth of not only great classroom training, but also a substantial amount of authentic, real-life kitchen training, and these programs will also connect students with internships, externships, and experience opportunities to help them gain the all-important experience they need. No certification is required for these careers. But advancement, a classic opportunity in the culinary arts, is primarily based on demonstration of superior expertise in producing delicious and technically daring food. (BLS, BLS)

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Salary Information

Pastry chefs at the outset of their careers can expect to take in between $18,000 and $23,000 in initial salaried pay. Over time, more experienced pastry experts find jobs that offer them around $40,000; those in the best and most prestigious restaurants, and with the best reputations, earn upwards of $70,000 in a year. Baking is unfortunately a less lucrative field. Most of them take in $24,000 even in the prime of their careers. The very best baking experts reap nearly $40,000 for their superior work. Salary statistics for bakers and pastry artists that double as entrepreneurs and go it alone could not be successfully tracked. (BLS, BLS)

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Job Outlook

Bakers stand to enjoy some, if not amazing, rise in the level of employment opportunities as the future approaches. Estimates predict a petite growth of four percent by the year 2018. For pastry chefs, the predictive percentage figure receives a minor uptick, to six percent expected augmentation. Although experience is an extremely important aspect of this career, more and more reverence for culinary training has permeated the industry. This is due not only to the training in important technique, but also in the networking and job employment opportunities that are boosted by enlisting with the best reputed culinary arts programs. To capitalize on what growth this sector will experience, pinpointing and participating in an excellent institute is crucial. (BLS, BLS)

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Related Careers

Chefs are the most directly related career to both pastry artists and bakers. The chef career exists on a hierarchical tier, with chefs de cuisine and executive chefs at the top, and line cooks and chefs de garde manger at the very bottom. (Pastry chefs rank right below chefs de cuisine in culinary authority.)  Scaling up the ranks in this career demands demonstrating more talent than one's peers and developing a reputation for positive work habits in the kitchen. 

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